What to Know Before You PlantMarch 5th, 2010Whether you’re planting acres of vineyards or a few vines in your backyard, there are simple tests and checks that will ensure you select the right vines for your project. It‘s all about site analysis. The more you know, the more your vines will thrive. The French call it terroir, pronounced “ter-whah”. Terroir is a way of describing the unique aspects of a place that influences and shapes the wine made from it. Here’s what you need to consider when assessing your site - Soil, Sun, and Water
How to: It can be as simple as digging down 12 to 24 inches, putting a soil sample in a plastic bag, and sending it to a soils laboratory for analysis. Sunridge can recommend several excellent soils labs. Sun exposure - how much sun, shade, wind affects your site
How to: Take an account of your site - the trees on the property, how tree roots might affect your planting site, how much wind your site is exposed to. Water - what’s in it influences the success of your vines
How to: Pour approximately 12 ounces of water in a bottle or jar and take it to a water analysis laboratory or your local water agency. Important things to test for are boron and iron levels which can be toxic to your vines. Once you’ve learned more about the soil, sun, and water at your site, you can now make educated decisions about what to plant. The result will be healthy, vigorous grape vines. Did you know? Why mustard and roses?
Grapevine Rootstocks for Oregon VineyardsFebruary 10th, 2010If you are considering a vineyard planting in any of the number of Oregon American Viticultural Areas/Appellations, it is best recommended that a rootstock be considered in your planning. Rootstocks are one of the most important ways grape growers can better manage for a variety of vineyard problems and improve quality. Grape rootstocks contribute to pest and disease resistance including phylloxera and resistance to other soil-borne pests, such as nematodes. Furthermore, the use of rootstocks can help lessen vineyard problems due to soil conditions such as pH extremes, excess salt and nutrients. They can also improve adaptability to local climatic conditions such as shortened growing seasons, drought and excessively cool or hot growing conditions. Important Rootstock Considerations
Rootstock Selections 101-14 Mgt
Comments – Second most used rootstock in Oregon, requires deep soil, moist clay soils, tolerates wet soils, induces low yield-to-pruning ratios, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites. 3309 C
Comments – Most widely used rootstock in Oregon, prefers deep, well-drained soil with good water-holding capacity, vines on this rootstock tend to over-crop, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites, sensitive to latent viruses, tolerant of cold injury. Riparia gloire
Comments – Third most used rootstock in Oregon prefers deep, well-drained, fertile and moist soils, good choice for fertile sites where low yields are desired, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites, early maturation, scions tend to overbear. Malbec ClonesDecember 2nd, 2009Outside of the Pinot Noir buzz we have had over the past few seasons, one of our most popular varietals has been Malbec (Or Cot as our French Entav counterparts call the variety). Over the past few seasons we have added a few new French clones to our catalog. With those along with the few selections from California, growers have a decent amount of options when choosing for their new development. California Clones: FPS #4 – FPS #6 – FPS #9 – FPS #10/11 – Entav Clones:#595 EV – #596 EV – #598 EV – Overall, there is not much data available on Malbec clones. This is mainly a breakdown of what is out there and available. In those areas that have major issues with set, a lower vigor rootstock is the main thing growers can do to see improvements. Outside of that, the French Entav clones seem to fair better as well, but you can get further by making the right rootstock selection. Please contact your local Sunridge Vineyard Representative to get the current plant availability of these selections. French Clonal Tasting Held at the Esquire Grill during Unified WeekJanuary 28th, 2009Sunridge Nurseries held a private tasting of French clones at the Esquire Grill on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2009, during the annual Unified Symposium in Sacramento. Sunridge collaborated with their partners at IFV (Institut Francais de la Vigne et du Vin) of France in presenting to their invited guests various ENTAV-INRA® wine clones for individual tasting. The General Manager of IFV, Jean-Pierre Van Ruyskenvelde and Engineer/Department Head, Laurent Audeguin, were available to answer questions and explain the nuances of each clone.
Some of the clones poured were Viognier Clone 642 and 1042; Cabernet Franc Clones 214, 394, and 395; Cot Clone 598; Merlot Clone 181; and Petit Verdot Clone 1058. For the first time, guests had the opportunity to taste the new Sunridge exclusive INRA varietals such as Arinarnoa (cross between Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon); Caladoc (cross between Grenanche and Cot) and Marselan (cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache). Sunridge has a large diversity of clonal material that comes directly from the ENTAV repositories in Domaine de l’Espiguette in France. Each year during Unified, a variety of clones are brought to educate winemakers and vineyard managers about the extensive clonal selections offered by Sunridge. The room at the Esquire Grill was crowded with animated conversation and diligent note taking by tasters. The always wonderful food prepared by the Esquire Grill was delightfully consumed as well as domestic wines representative of our special guests. Sunridge and IFV thank all of you who attended and we hope that you left with newly acquired information about the many French clonal selections available at Sunridge Nurseries. Jeff Koligian - Independent Viticulture ConsultantJanuary 6th, 2009PASO 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. |
Categories
|
