This is an operation that is performed during the period between fruit-set and the colour change of the bunch in order to aerate and to improve the lighting to the clusters during maturation.

This involves the removal of one part or all of the leaves present at the basal area of the shoots that, in short pruning systems, corresponds to the band of predominant localisation of the bunches.

This practice should be performed when the foliage is at a height where it almost completely shields the bunches, after fruit-set. This results in undoubted benefits both for the composition of the grapes and the lower susceptibility to rot, which is linked to an improvement of the micro-climatic context.
One of the most noticeable effects of defoliation performed on vines with very dense foliage is that of a significant increase in the anthocyanins and other flavonoids.

The Orizzonti deleafer allows rapid and precise deleafing and also respects the natural growth of the plant making it less invasive and more effective for the purposes of the future harvest.