Plansel - Rich in Heritage

August 29th, 2008

Over the past quarter-century, under the leadership of owner Hans Joerg Boehm and with initial assistance from the University of Geisenheim in Germany and ENTAV of France, PLANSEL has developed a highly-respected program for the indigenous wine grape varieties of Portugal and Spain.

As a result of the company’s dedication to protecting and restoring the area’s unique wine grapes, PLANSEL is succeeding in bringing the Iberian Peninsula’s historic varieties once again to a place of world-wide prominence.

The agreement between the two companies allows Sunridge an exclusive license to produce and market PLANSEL’s proprietary grape clonal selections.

For more information visit www.plansel.com.

Americans are Discovering the Delightful Tastes of Spain and Portugal

July 10th, 2008

The delightfully full-bodied wines of Spain and Portugal have been prized since the days of the Roman Empire. On the sunny mountains and plains of the Iberian Peninsula, grapes of unique flavor, subtlety and balance have thrived for thousands of years.

The wines being made today from these old-world varieties offer a new world of sensory experiences for wine lovers. Although well-known by connoisseurs, Iberian wines have only recently begun to receive the international acclaim they deserve. American wine-drinkers are just now discovering them, and at Sunridge Nurseries, we want to put you at the leading edge of this rapidly growing trend.

We are proud to offer some of the most interesting and successful indigenous Iberian varieties as a result of our exclusive right to produce and market the proprietary clones of PLANSEL, the leading private Iberian clonal program. Several of these varieties have never before been available in the United States.

The similarity in climate between the Iberian Peninsula and some grape-growing areas of the U.S. makes these clones an ideal choice for growers interested in taking advantage of consumer demand for new and exciting flavors. Our Spanish and Portuguese varieties produce highly-classified, aromatic wines, ideal for blending.

The first eleven Iberian clones have recently been released from quarantine, having been found to be sanitary and clean by Foundation Plant Services at the University of California at Davis. These varieties will be available to Sunridge customers starting in 2008, with more clonal material to be released in the future.

Discover a New Treasure Trove of Indigenous Grape Varieties!

June 15th, 2008

Sunridge Nurseries Inc. is always one step ahead. With the new wave of interest growing for Spanish and Portuguese wines, Sunridge is pleased to announce its new addition of Iberian clones to its already extensive selection of quality winegrape nursery stock for the California industry.

An agreement has been reached between Viveiros Plansel, Plantas Selecionadas Ltda of Portugal, and Sunridge Nurseries Inc. of Bakersfield, California for the exclusive offer of a carefully selected proprietary list of both Spanish and Portuguese clonal varieties.

During the past twenty-five years, the privately owned Plansel has developed a well-respected grapevine breeding and propagation program in Portugal. Since the 19th century, the Portuguese wine industry has generally evolved in isolation, and little research was undertaken with Portuguese varieties until Hans Joerg Boehm, owner of PLANSEL, began his research. Initially, with the technical assistance of two world-renowned institutes, the German Geisenheim and ENTAV of France, this Portuguese program for the selection and certification of varieties was created. PLANSEL is now the leading private clonal breeder in both Spain and Portugal, recovering many of the varieties that are unique to the world. “The aim of PLANSEL is to protect and bring back the old historic varieties and make them known to the world again,” reported Mr. Boehm, who is decorated by the Portuguese government for his contribution to the country’s viticulture industry.

The agreement between the two companies allows an exclusive license to produce and market Plansel’s proprietary grape clonal selection. The first eleven clones have just now been released from UC Davis’ Foundation Plant Services’ quarantine program. They are being blown up for planting in mother blocks, from which cuttings will be taken to propagate plants, and will be available to Sunridge customers by next year. More clonal material is in the pipeline and will be released over the next two years.

“We are very excited about this new Iberian program,” said Craig Stoller, CEO of Sunridge. “Not only are we bringing unknown Portuguese varieties, but sanitary and clean new Spanish clones as well. These Iberian varieties are going to support the new craze of wine-drinkers who are just now discovering the new flavors this part of the Old World.”

Click here to view the Pansel Iberian clonal selections.

New Trends Rooted in Excellence

May 3rd, 2008

Sunridge Nurseries has devoted the past 30 years to growing and grafting the highest quality grape stock. In our state-of-the-art facilities at the southern tip of California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley, we carefully nurture our vines in phylloxera-free soils and use the most technologically advanced cold storage to guarantee their quality and consistent performance.

We devote ourselves not only to our grape stock, but also to researching wine trends and anticipating future consumer demands. We invest in new varieties that will enable our growers to readily meet their demands and maintain the highest profitability.

With Sunridge Nurseries you receive more than vines of superior quality. Our level of customer service and personalized attention is unsurpassed.

For more information call us at 661.363.8463.