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