posted 5 years ago
Rule of thumb for cutting back any large/mature tree/bush/shrub is only cut 1/4 of it at a time, each year, into live wood.
Cutting back the dead vines (although if it's a cold spring they may look dead, but just haven't leafed out yet) is obviously okay.
Grapevines are tough, but they can still be shocked if too much is cut or there is a freeze/frost on newly-cut wood, or hot, burning sun on newly cut wood where the cuts are larger than just pruning.
Mediterranean climate, hugel trenches, fabulous clay soil high in nutrients, self-watering containers with hugel layers, keyhole composting with low hugel raised beds, thick Back to Eden Wood chips mulch (distinguished from Bark chips), using as many native plants as possible....all drought tolerant.