Couple thoughts doubl;

1. "more perrential wood = better quality grapes". There is also a very
popular beleif to the contrary - that the more pruned back the vine,
the better the grape quality. Take a run through the Burgundian
vienyeards sometime - many in Napa are going the same way. Can't say i
can detect a difference. Age, vigor, canopy management, vineyard
management practices all seem to me to have more influence.
2. I still think Tom has an issue with canopy management - unless he
creates a trellis system above hs roofline. The canes would likely hang
out and down - possibly preventing adequate light and air (increased
mildew potential, uneven ripening, etc), and I would hazard a guess
that sulfur spraying would be real difficult on the rooftop!