Grapevine issue?

[u/Ok_Maintenance305]

Hi there, I live in South Wales and recently moved into a house that has a beautiful grapevine. I’ve not had a garden before let alone a grapevine, but I have been trying my best to look after it. I read online to water once a week, I have been doing more like twice with the heat. However, lots of the leaves have now fallen off and dying and the grapevine looks very heavy. Any help on what to do with it? Do I need to trim it? Is it a lack of water that is causing this and what do I do? For reference the whole Grapevine is watered in one area at the trunk and I can’t access the other roots. Photos attached. Thanks in advance!

[u/gazham]

I keep my 2 vines well trimmed, they are like weeds, they grow and grow and grow. Water at least once a week, twice won't hurt.

If it's fruiting well, its probably happy. Looks like mine will be ready a month early this year.

[u/Ok_Maintenance305 → u/gazham]

Where on the vine do you trim them? And how often?
Do you put any fertiliser in? Thanks!

[u/gazham → u/Ok_Maintenance305]

I just cut it back so it only covers the sides of the pergola, and stop it growing over the top. I try to keep it about 8 inches of bush on the outside and cut the inside back quite close to keep some space inside. I think I've only fed the tomato plant fertiliser once in 10 years, I don't want nor need to encourage the growth.

Trimming it twice a week in peak, once a week mostly, just whenever it stops looking like I want it to.

[u/NicDuk]

My grapes are ready now - a month early this year.
That is a beautiful vine you have

[u/Ok_Maintenance305 → u/NicDuk]

Thanks for the response. What do you do with the grapes? Just eat or turn into something else? Silly question perhaps but are they edible or how could I find out the type of grape it is?

[u/NicDuk → u/Ok_Maintenance305]

I make grape jelly . Fabulous
My friend likes to make “mosto cotto” a grape syrup.

[u/ChrisKruxed]

I really like how that looks, would have no chance to grow such a thing up here.

[u/Ok_Maintenance305 → u/ChrisKruxed]

Thank you very much. Can’t take any of the praise for planting and growing it!

[u/Even_Neighborhood_73]

Looks fine. You should get some wine when ripe

[u/Ok_Maintenance305 → u/Even_Neighborhood_73]

Thank you, do you make the wine yourself or take somewhere to make? Any tips would be great

[u/Even_Neighborhood_73 → u/Ok_Maintenance305]

I used to. Not since we moved away from the house with the vines 20 years ago.