What to Know Before You Plant

March 5th, 2010

Whether 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

• Soil - What type of soil will you be planting in?
• Soil types
• Loam
• Clay
• Sandy
• Rocky
• Combination
• Water holding capacity and drainage
• Soil fertility

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

• Full or partial sun
• Shade
• Wind

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

• Chemistry - nutrient levels

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?

• The mustard seed plants you see blooming in the vineyards are there to help add vital supplements to the soil.
• Roses planted at the end of the vine rows are there to give early warning of mildew problems.

Malbec Clones

December 2nd, 2009

Outside 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 –
Selected from Bordeaux originally by FPS.  Not much data available.  Was used in a trial in Oakville during the late 1990s that did not show much difference between the 3 CA clones available at the time.

FPS #6 –
Also used in the Oakville trial.  Clone experiences very bad blossom drop/shatter and was the lowest yielding clone in the trial.

FPS #9 –
The main clone we have used in California vineyards before Entav.  It is reported to be clone #180 from France.  #180 is a highly vigorous selection that can experience blossom drop/shatter issues.

FPS #10/11 –
These clones are different heat treatments of what is reported to be clone 46 from France.  This is the most widely planted clone in the Cahors region.  According to French data, clone 46 is one of the higher yielding clones due to its superior fertility.

Entav Clones:

#595 EV –
First selection imported through the program.  Most proven of the French selections.  Slightly lower vigor than other clones and can cooperate more at fruit set.  Earlier ripening clone that originated in the Cahors region.

#596 EV –
Newly imported selection from Cahors.  More widely planted in France than clone #595.  In clonal wine tastings in California with Entav, wines have been very similar to #595.

#598 EV –
Another newly imported clone from the Cahors region.  Most widely planted clone in France of the Entav selections.  In wine tastings it has been a real standout between the three with a more unique flavor profile.

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.

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!

French Clonal Tasting Held at the Esquire Grill during Unified Week

January 28th, 2009

Sunridge 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.