Be a Part of the Next Generation - Sunridge Nurseries Leads the Way

November 19th, 2009

How many people in the grapevine vineyard industry “truly” understand why it is important to choose the right nursery, and the right material to plant? I dare say that it is too few, and that is why I would like to take a minute to clarify some issues to make your decisions easier.

We are told by the most educated and experienced minds in the industry that there are some basic areas that one should take very seriously when planting a vineyard that will last, will yield well, and will consistently produce quality fruit. Everyone agrees that you should know your site in terms of soil type, water quality, nematode and disease presence, climate, etc. so you can make a proper rootstock and varietal choice. Also, we know that having the proper irrigation and trellis system are very important. I would like to address the vine, and why we are told that you should choose only certified grapevines from a reputable nursery.

First, we are told that you “Must Start Clean.” So what is clean?  Clean means that the vine not carry disabling diseases at the time of planting. These diseases are an assortment of virus’, fungal, and bacterial pathogens that cannot be cured once the vine is infected. The fungal and bacterial pathogens can be controlled by growing the vines in the proper climate, using sterile nursery protocols, and taking preventative measures to keep them healthy. Sunridge Nursery is located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, which has a dry desert climate conducive to growing without as much risk of these organisms infecting their grapevines. The virus issue is a bigger challenge, because the health of the stock material is critical to preventing the spread of a virus. That is why the best vine you can possibly plant is a California Certified vine with a pedigree that is traceable back to a known mother vine.

So what does California Certified mean?

Without making this sound too technical, California Certification refers to a Clean Stock Program that was set up with the cooperation of nurseries, the California University system, the California Dept. of Food and Ag., (CDFA), and the grapevine industry. This program has written rules, is administered by CDFA, and the site of all grapevine source mother vines and all program activities are at Foundation Plant Services, (FPS), at U.C. Davis. The source vines are submitted to FPS, tested for at least two years, and once they are deemed “clean” two vines are planted in their Foundation Block. Nurseries are required to have CDFA do a site survey to gain site approval before acquiring the FPS foundation vines to start a Registered and Certified Increase Block. Only first generation cuttings from a nurseries’ registered increase block can be called “Certified.” Both the rootstock and the budwood must be sourced from a registered block to qualify as certified.

Sunridge Nurseries’ Development and Support of Foundation Plant Services

Sunridge Nurseries, founded by owners, Glen, Terrie, and Craig Stoller, helped to develop and write the rules currently in place for the Certification program. It was built out of passion for the industry, and a desire to keep the industry strong over the long run. Sunridge Nurseries is the industry leader in support of FPS, and is the largest contributor to the financial longevity of the program, bar none.

Sunridge Nurseries’ Commitment to the California Certification Program

Sunridge Nurseries recently made a profound commitment by stating that all grapevines planted should be Certified Grapevines. We have asked that all growers plant either California Certified vines, or graft tested, virus free budwood onto certified rootstock. This commitment by Sunridge Nurseries, and to the industry as a whole, is the only proven way that we can prevent the spread of virus diseases. Why should a grower just settle for “Clean,” when you can plant California Certified grapevines that also have a known pedigree with the backing of CDFA, FPS, and is in the best interest of the entire industry! A grapevine grown in a test tube does not make it any better. It is just another means of propagating a vine that is planted out into a field to be another increase block. The vines you receive come from cuttings grown outdoors, in a field, and are the same as all other nursery increase blocks. It is the nurseries sterile practices that are important, and the fact that Sunridge Increase Blocks are Registered and Certified that are critical. Come see our facilities so you can get the feel of cleanliness, and understand what “sterile nursery practices” are. You will see that we offer a product that provides the best of both worlds - Certified Source Material grown in a facility that is State-of-the-Art.

The Next Generation - It is “Where We Go From Here”

It is our goal to persuade every grower to plant only Certified material, and to plant the very best vines available. So in keeping with this very progressive attitude, Sunridge Nurseries is replacing older increase blocks with the latest, most extensively tested material available, which FPS has dubbed as the “Next Generation” grapevine stock material. It has been shoot-tip cultured at FPS and verified that it is virus free and Crown Gall free using both RT-PCR and TaqMan qPCR methods to screen for virus’. FPS has also compared this material with original clones, to verify that they have not been altered during the treatments, before releasing them to nurseries.  This material is the best in the world, without a question. Sunridge Nurseries is aggressively planting this registered Next Generation material so it will be available as quickly as possible. This will further protect the future of our industry.

Sunridge - Where the Vintage Begins

We do not succeed unless the growers succeed. That is why we present the facts. No double talk. No creative advertizing. No gimmicks. We have a highly educated staff that will strive to give you only the truth, and base in on hard facts.  We have a strong history based on sound principles, from a family run foundation with a passion to do what is right for the industry. Please let us be your first choice when planting your next vineyard. You only have one chance to do it right the first time!

After all, Grapevines Are All We Grow!

Sincerely,

Steve Maniaci,  General Manager

Sunridge Nurseries announces its new Deep Root Green Pot

May 11th, 2009

Sunridge Nurseries is proud to announce its new Deep Root Green Pot. This pot, the largest in the grapevine industry at a volume of 946 cc, was first introduced at the Unified Wine Symposium in Sacramento. The Deep Root Green Pot has almost double the volume of any other green growing potted grapevine available. Green vine quality never looked so good.

This pot promotes proper root orientation, allowing the roots to descend to the bottom of the pot in a straight fashion. The ribs in the side of the pot point the roots downward towards the large opening at the bottom of the pot, which allows for “air pruning.” This process encourages the basal roots to branch  repeatedly, and prevents root balling at the bottom. Sunridge believes that the downward orientation of the roots promote the plant to excel after  field planting. Roots are not tangled or competing, so the natural downward growth continues uninhibited. The resulting root structure in an established vineyard becomes mechanically strong and stable. Sunridge, the leader  in the industry, believes that growers are looking for a healthy, viable plant that will grow fast and be easy to maintain after planting. This new product line should fill or exceed all of your requirements. After all, you only have one chance to get it right the first time, and here it is!

Jeff Koligian - Independent Viticulture Consultant

January 6th, 2009

PASO ROBLES, California

Jeff Koligian, a well-respected and experienced viticulturalist, announces his launching as an independent viticulture consultant. Jeff specializes in the selection and planting of grapevine nursery stock and the development and maintenance of vineyards.

As a third generation grape grower in California, Jeff comes from a long tradition of viticulture—starting in his family vineyard at five years old, he has been around vineyards all his life. He graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1978 with a degree in Agriculture and emphasis in Viticulture. After graduation, he operated a 640-acre vineyard in Madera. His career then moved him to Monterey County, where he eventually worked his way up to become a vineyard manager with responsibilities covering 4,200 acres of wine grapes. Several large coastal wineries have hired Jeff as their vineyard manager and key grower relations representative.

For the last twelve years, Jeff was employed by Sunridge Nurseries Inc., most recently as their grapevine technical advisor. Throughout the years, he has been an expert witness relating to grapevines and vineyard development. As Jeff explains, “After spending the first part of my career making a living by managing thousands of acres of vineyards, I have learned the importance of good vine performance. I have seen over 15 million vines planted in a broad spectrum of conditions, which gives me tremendous knowledge to recommend exactly the right plants and conditions for your vineyards.”

Jeff is well known in the industry as a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, President of the Monterey Country Grape Growers’ Association, Board Member of the Paso Robles Area Quality Alliance, Co-Chair of the Industry Advisory Board, and President of the Central Coast Ag. Task Force. With his own personal vineyard, Jeff has achieved excellent success and balance in planting all types of vines. He is currently running a grapevine performance trial on the vineyard that he owns and operates.

Jeff, with his professionalism and experience, will be a welcomed authority in advising both new plantings and as a “grapevine troubleshooter” for the industry.

Dear Valued Customer

August 3rd, 1998

Its is with great pleasure and excitement that we send you this enclosed announcement regarding our new offerings of trademarked French clones of scions and rootstocks, now available at Sunridge Nurseries Inc.

This project is the culmination of more than three years of negotiations with ENTAV, the French National Technical Center for the Improvement of Viticulture, in an alliance that may be a turning point for the California Viticultural industry. As the highest authority in France for the selection and preservation of French grapevine clones, ENTAV has trademarked more than 663 certified clones and has sought to market them through Sunridge Nurseries for our customer’s vineyards.

Sunridge has now developed mother blocks of the clones noted in the enclosed announcement, which come directly from the ENTAV repositories in France. The material is not only guaranteed as to its authenticity, but has been tested and found to be free of disease. This will provide new varieties and new clonal selections of popular French varieties to meet the growing demand for premium California vines. Not only are we tapping into more than the thirty years of research and field testing, accomplished by ENTAV, but we will now be able to provide diversity to vineyards that California does not presently have.

We are very enthusiastic about this new endeavor and we welcome your inquiries. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to hearing from you.

Click here to view the Entav-Intra clonal selections.