This is a short pruning characterized by 1 or 2 horizontal branches bearing 2 to 5 spurs along the carrier wire of the tying-up, at least 60 centimeters (about 23 inches) from the ground. This pruning system allows mechanized cultivation and grape harvest, with no alteration in wine quality – contrary to gobelet pruning –, and contributes to productivity regulation. The system is adapted to erect-shoot or falling varieties. The height of the tying-up can vary depending on the variety.

Example of a Cordon de Royat pruning with 2 branches
and 3 spurs.

Planting requires a perfectly prepared and sufficiently nutrient-rich ground to facilitate the full growth of the plant and its root system.

After the herbaceous-development stage, vine shoots are pruned in winter so that 2 eyes remain. This step aims at insuring the suitable rooting of the plant for the following year. It is recommended to prune as late as possible, in order to avoid spring frosts in sensitive areas.


During the summer, a stake can help support the vegetation..

The following winter, a vine shoot is pruned so that 1 or 2 eyes remain above the first tying-up wire. It will then form the trunk and will structure the development of the two branches.
During the summer, side-shoots are removed, except 2 or 3 for the next pruning. They can be trimmed (green pruning) to ease vine treatment and cultivation.

The Cordon de Royat structure appears the following winter, when the 2 remaining shoots are pruned, folded and tied to the carrier wire. They correspond to the 2 main branches of the vine-stock and have to grow along the tying-up. In summer, side-shoots are removed, except 3 on each branch. They must be evenly spread on the branches and can be trimmed (green pruning) to ease vine treatment and cultivation.

The following winter, each shoot needs to be pruned so as to become a 2-eye spur. There must be 3 spurs on each branch.
Year after year, the shoots coming from previous pruning on each spur can be kept or cut out.
To prevent the vine stock from lengthening and ageing, it is important to prune the lowest and better-exposed shoot, so that 2 eyes remain.
The Cordon de Royat system results from a series of the above-mentioned pruning.