No pruning off leaves isn't going to mature the wood. You need to cut off fertilizer and water as much as possible. That will stop new growth and mature current wood.

thanks for the note. I don't fertilize, but the soil is pretty rich. we have had way more rain than normal....maybe the fall will dry out. It must have been coincidence the base of the vines got color after I cleaned up around the base and clipped the first three or four leaves. I will let them be and see what happens. the hard winter we had may have played a role. thanks again for your time.