How do I re-establish grape vines?

We recently moved into a house that has been used as a business for the past 20-25 years. We are in the process of turning it back to a home. The property backs onto a small tributary of a local river (read - almost non-existant at this point, but lots of swampy/ woodsy vegetaition.) Last fall we cut back a lot of vines and what we thought were weeds, and laid down mulch to make flower beds. This spring, we've noticed that some of the vines are gowing leaves that look like grape leaves (and we've even noted what looks like tiny grape clusters). Our neighbors mentioned that the family who used to live in the house before it was a business were avid gardeners and did in fact grow grapes. So I'm guessing that what I'm seeing are edible grapes, but they've been cut down to the quick. No trellises, and the vines look like roots that are coming right from the ground. How do I re-establish them? Do I need to trellis them yet? Should I prune off the grape bunches to encourage the vine to grow?

How do I re-establish grape vines?
It is quite likely that you have some wild grapes growing here. The tiny grape clusters sound like it. Check the links here, they may look familiar to you. Let them grow for a while and find out what you have. You might be better off starting your grapes off of some new rooted cuttings from grapes you know are good.
Reply:Okay, I'm basing my answer on the chance that you DO have grape vines, not the dozen different kinds of weeds that have the same shape leaf as a grape!





How do I re-establish them? You let them grow.





Do I need a trellis? Yes, probably. Grapes can grow up to 20 ft in one season.





Should I prune off the grape bunches? It doesn't hurt, but I wouldn't bother. Grapes will grow like crazy no matter what. You will get plenty of growth in one season. Water, fertilize and train.