These pruning systems are adapted to decorative vines and table-grape production. They are characterized by a particularly high tying-up system, from 1.50 to 2.50 meters (5 to 8 feet). The system can be a multiple Guyot with 3 to 6 fruiting canes, or a multiple Cordon de Royat with 2 to 10 horizontal spurs.

Example of a Cordon de Royat
system arbor.

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 will help support the vegetation.
A single shoot is kept and will then be tied-up and trained as high as the pergola..

During the winter, the shoot is pruned as high as the pergola. Except 3 or 4 buds on the top, the others are pruned off from the base with a grafting knife or pruning shears.
During the summer, the shoot(s) are trained to form the main horizontal branches of the pergola.

In winter, the spurs are pruned at the desired height.
The following summer is the right time to train the secondary shoots.

In winter, the shoots as pruned so as to give the secondary branches the same dimensions as the arbor.
During the summer, side-shoots are removed. However, it is necessary to keep between 2 and 4 side-shoots by secondary branches.

In winter, the shoots of the previous summer growth are pruned so that 2 eyes remain, as for the Cordon de Royat system. 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.