The Vine Maestro: Marco Simonit on Gentle Pruning, Vine Longevity & Terroir Expression

Renowned vineyard consultant Marco Simonit, co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, joins the Vint Wine Podcast to share his philosophy of gentle pruning, a vine-training approach that has transformed modern viticulture. His method emphasizes sap flow, small cuts, and preserving living wood, and building an architecture to extend vineyard life, protect against trunk disease, and unlock the purest expression of terroir. This episode traces Marco’s path from a childhood on his grandparents’ farm to becoming one of the most sought-after vineyard minds in the world. Along the way, he explains why pruning isn’t just an agricultural task but a form of artistry—each cut shaping the future health of the vine and the wine in your glass. Marco’s roster of collaborators is a “who’s who” of wine royalty: Château d’Yquem, Château Latour, Château Angélus, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Louis Roederer, Gaja, Ornellaia, Henschke, Penfolds, Shafer, Spottswoode, and Corison, among others. His insights aren’t only for vineyard managers, they reveal to collectors, sommeliers, and everyday enthusiasts how thoughtful farming underpins the wines we admire and enjoy. What You’ll LearnWhy gentle pruning matters: sap flow, small wounds, and living woodHow pruning choices affect vine health, longevity, and terroir precisionPractical ways to reduce trunk-disease risk and avoid large desiccation conesThe importance of nursery quality, canopy management, and team trainingHow to build dynamic vine architecture that evolves with a vineyard’s ageWhy even casual wine drinkers should care: the link between pruning, better fruit, more expressive wines, and sustainability Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast 00:35 Guest Introduction: Marco Simonit 02:30 Marco’s Global Impact and Client List 06:19 Early Life and Background 11:15 First Discoveries in Vine Anatomy 16:19 Early Research and Observations 21:57 Building the Method and Recognition 29:02 Teaching and Knowledge Transfer 33:35 Core Principles of Gentle Pruning 40:16 Understanding Desiccation Cones 47:11 Trunk Diseases and Terroir Expression 51:29 The Role of Education in Viticulture 54:22 The Future of Vine Training 55:17 Closing Remarks The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com. Cheers!