ABSTRACT The aims of the current study are to (a) evaluate the growth and nutritional status of young Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines grown in soil subjected to K application and (b) to determine the growth and nutritional status of young Chardonnay vines grown in soil subjected to K and to different limestone applications. The experiment was conducted in Red Argisol, in Santana do Livramento County (RS), in crop seasons from 2011/12 to 2013/14. Treatments adopted in experiment 1 comprised 0, 30 and 60 kg of ha-1. Variables K exchangeable content in the soil, K content in leaves, plant height, stem diameter and weight of the pruned material were evaluated. Treatments adopted in experiment 2 comprised 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg of K2O ha-1, as well as calcitic and dolomitic limestone applications. Variables exchangeable K, Ca and Mg contents in the soil, K, Ca and Mg contents in leaves, plant height, stem diameter and weight of the pruned material were evaluated. Potassium fertilization increased the K content in the 0-10 cm layer and influenced the K content in leaves collected in the first crop; however, it did not influence growth parameters in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir cultivars. Potassium, dolomitic and calcitic limestone application enabled nutrient absorption by plants, whose leaves presented increased K content; however, it did not influence growth parameters in cultivar Chardonnay.