At Domaine Coteau a vine density of 2,437 vines per acre (row spacing of 5.5 feet and in-row spacing of one meter) was selected (very high density vis-Ã -vis the traditional spacings of California and Oregon). The main determinates used in this spacing decision were soil fertility, soil depth, and rootstock vigor. All three determinates pointed to high-density plantings.
High density allows each Pinot Noir vine to carry less than two pounds of grapes and still carry two tons of fruit per acre (the target goal of the Domaine). The following cultural practices are normally invoked to achieve this target yield:
-Winter pruning each vine (single Guyot) to seven buds                                -Removing all double buds in springtime (evasivage)                                 -Thinning each vine to one cluster per shoot in August (vendage verte) when necessary.
