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___________________________________________<br />

College of Agricultural Sciences<br />

Cooperative Extension<br />

Making Decisions That Will Last For A Lifetime… and Beyond.<br />

Mark L. Chien<br />

Viticulture Educator<br />

Penn State Cooperative Extension<br />

http://pawinegrape.com


Temperance Hill <strong>Vineyard</strong><br />

Willamette Valley, Oregon


Assumption:<br />

We wish to grow high quality<br />

hybrid or vinifera wines


Some Things to Do and Think About<br />

1. Why am I doing this? Will it last?<br />

2. Knowing what you do not know and asking how will I fill the<br />

knowledge gap?<br />

3. Who will do the work? Consultants, service companies or me…<br />

4. … if me then education is the key: read or go to school<br />

5. Visit vineyards and wineries, local and beyond …but be prepared with<br />

good, smart questions<br />

6. You’re doing it! Attend meetings, workshops, field days, etc.<br />

7. Examine thy:<br />

a. Wallet: do I have the money to do this well?<br />

b. Calendar/Datebook: do I have the time?<br />

c. Body: do I have the physical strength?<br />

d. Risk tolerance: fickle weather, birds, wine makers, consumers, etc.<br />

d. Heart: do I have the passion for a long-term project?<br />

e. Family: is my family on board with me?


Filling the knowledge gap with<br />

3 excellent how-to books:<br />

Available (PDF) now on PWGN: A Practical Guide to Developing a Commercial<br />

Wine <strong>Vineyard</strong>. By Mark Chien


Viticulture Information Resources List: books, web<strong>site</strong>s, periodicals; consultants, vendors, nurseries,<br />

educational resources, etc.


The pre-<strong>plant</strong> laundry list: better to ask the hard questions now …


Quality . . .<br />

• …in everything: grapes, winemaking, winery relationships, vineyard<br />

<strong>materials</strong> and equipment, personnel, etc.<br />

• …it’s the BEST marketing tool<br />

• …it’s the surest and fastest way to success and sustainability<br />

• …it will make your reputation<br />

• It’s more fun to have a good product that you can be proud of and<br />

others admire


Viticulture Quality Factors<br />

• Starts with knowing the wine type, style and price point<br />

• Site <strong>selection</strong> and evaluation: pick the land, don’t let it pick you<br />

• Terroir components: achieving a vine with correct size and balance<br />

• Only fully mature grapes can make fine wine<br />

• In cold areas, ripen the wood as well for cold hardiness<br />

• <strong>Vineyard</strong> <strong>design</strong>: vine density, spacing and yield per vine<br />

• The power of great viticulture: the garagistes<br />

• Strive for balance, harmony, uniformity, consistency


<strong>Vineyard</strong> Site Selection<br />

The Most Important Decision You Will Make<br />

45 mins


Wine Terroir<br />

• Terroir: it’s everywhere! Even in your flower pot.<br />

• But for vineyards, these matter the most . . .<br />

• Components of soil: the chemical, physical, and biological<br />

• Climate at 3 levels - macro, meso, micro<br />

• Plant <strong>materials</strong>: species, variety, clone, rootstock<br />

• Viticulture: what we add to the grapes<br />

• Wine making: what the wine maker does to shape the wine<br />

• How do you get fine wine terroir?


Why is this such a great vineyard?


Soil Features for Fine Wines<br />

• Excess soil moisture and nitrogen are the enemies of fine wines!<br />

• Our objective is to create a balanced vine according to <strong>site</strong> capacity<br />

and vine size. For this we need . . .<br />

• Well to excessively well-drained soils: TAW 2.5 to 4.5<br />

• Rock content up to 50%<br />

• Effective rooting zone of at least 18 inches<br />

• Low to moderate fertility (especially nitrogen!)<br />

• pH 5.5 to 6.5<br />

• Organic matter 2-4 percent<br />

• No physical or chemical impediments to root growth<br />

• For production vineyards: everything a step or two above


From <strong>Vineyard</strong> Site Selection, Wolf and Boyer


Looking into the crystal ball…<br />

…three important tools


Bedington<br />

Blairton (Arendtsville)<br />

Chester Manor Loam<br />

Berks-Bedington<br />

<strong>Vineyard</strong> Soils of Pennsylvania


But get the right person<br />

to interpret the numbers!<br />

Soil Chemistry: now is the<br />

time to analyze it and, if<br />

necessary, fix it!


Vectors for:<br />

• Tomato Ringspot Virus<br />

• Fanleaf Virus<br />

The Bad guys:<br />

Pathogenic nematodes: now is the time to survey and treat them!


Climatic Challenges: you are not in control<br />

• Continental climate: humid, wet, warm summers, very cold winters<br />

above Mason-Dixon<br />

• Freeze: LTE50, what is the threshold for injury? Varieties, seasons,<br />

soils, etc.<br />

• Spring and fall frosts (length of growing season)<br />

• Summer afternoon thundershowers, hail storms, lightning, drought<br />

• Harvest: hurricanes, low pressure systems<br />

• The past decade:<br />

– Fine: 2007, 2008, 2010<br />

– Poor: 2003, 2004, 2009, 2011<br />

• Impact: lack of uniformity and consistency in vineyard and products


Natives, hybrids and vinifera<br />

Native and cold hardy hybrids<br />

Hybrids and some vinifera<br />

Vinifera


Hilling up in the fall . . .<br />

. . . taking down in the spring >>


Annual rainfall from 1961 to 1990. Distribution is also important,<br />

especially between mid-August and October!


What are Ideal Macro-Meso Climate Conditions?<br />

• Enough winter rain to fully charge the soil with moisture<br />

• Not so cold as to damage grapevine tissue (vinifera 0F)<br />

• No late spring frost, enough sun and warmth to push vines through bloom<br />

• Some drying after bloom through fruit set to set berry size with mild stress<br />

• 1-2” of rain June-August, enough to sustain growth but not too much<br />

• Dry and sunny conditions in September/October, < 2” of rain each month<br />

• No early fall frost<br />

• Steady descent from cool to cold conditions in November and December<br />

• How often do all of these conditions occur? Never. Make adjustments.


Impact of Climate and Weather<br />

• What’s the difference?<br />

• Bud break and spring frost<br />

• Warm and wet increases disease and insect pressure<br />

• Wet exacerbates vegetative vigor which increases disease and hampers fruit<br />

ripening<br />

• Drought, hail, wind, etc.<br />

• Acclimation, low and fluctuations in winter temperature affect vine survival<br />

• Getting the fruit fully mature. Finding a cool <strong>site</strong> in a warm place or a warm<br />

<strong>site</strong> in a cool region. Ripen fruit in cool conditions on the outer limit of its<br />

ripening window.


Other Site Features<br />

• Absolute (ripening) and relative (frost and freeze) elevations<br />

• Local Topography<br />

– Aspect (orientation)<br />

– Slope<br />

• Trees<br />

– Black walnut and butternut<br />

– Birds, insects, disease, shade<br />

deer, wind<br />

• Neighbors (non-agricultural)<br />

– Cement, bricks, noise (yours, not theirs), etc.<br />

– Schools and businesses<br />

From <strong>Vineyard</strong> Site Selection, Wolf and Boyer


Fill the Knowledge Gap with the Right Experts!<br />

• Soil mapping - Alex Blackburn<br />

• Plant material specialist – James Stamp<br />

• Viticulturist – Lucie Morton<br />

• <strong>Vineyard</strong> development specialist – Nelson Stewart<br />

• Consultants from France and California<br />

• Harrisburg Area CC viticulture and enology program


On-line tools:<br />

• PSU <strong>Vineyard</strong>Map<br />

• USDA web soil survey<br />

• Cornell NY Site Evaluation System


Tony Wolf and John Boyer, Virginia Tech<br />

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/463/463-020/463-020.html<br />

http://arcserver2.iagt.org/vll/


<strong>Vineyard</strong> Equipment, Tools and Supplies: 15 mins


To Prepare a Field<br />

• Crawler and shank<br />

• Tractor<br />

• Moldboard plow<br />

• Disc<br />

• Cultivator<br />

• Roller and drag<br />

• Herbicide sprayer with<br />

boom<br />

• Survey transit<br />

• Marking flags<br />

• Tape measure<br />

• Marking line<br />

• Vine place markers<br />

or . . .


Planting<br />

• Storage for vines<br />

• Water trough<br />

• Pruning shears<br />

• 5 g buckets<br />

• Planting shovels, post hole<br />

digger<br />

• Soil tamping tools


Basic Tools & Supplies for Trellis Installation<br />

• Hammer<br />

• Wrenches<br />

• Screwdrivers<br />

• Fence hammer<br />

• Come-along (wire tensioner)<br />

• Heavy duty wire cutter<br />

• Crimp tool-fasteners(nicopress, gripple)<br />

• Vise grips<br />

• Stake pounder<br />

• Level<br />

• Portable hole auger with bits<br />

• Wire jenny


Proper Clothing . . .<br />

… for working in hot, wet, cold conditions and everything in<br />

between.<br />

• Heavy duty gloves and steel toed boots<br />

• Eye and ear protection!<br />

• Serious rain and cold weather clothing<br />

• Personal protective equipment for safe use of pesticides


Specialty Tools and Supplies<br />

• Tapeners for tying vines<br />

• Ty tape<br />

• Ag-tyes – know the difference!<br />

• Twist ties for tying canes<br />

• Pruning shears (manual, electric)<br />

• Vine loppers and folding saws<br />

• Sharpening tools for blades<br />

• Hand held scale for pruning<br />

weights<br />

• Hand hoes<br />

• Backpack herbicide sprayer<br />

• Varmint traps<br />

• Harvesting equipment and supplies<br />

• Birds scaring equipment<br />

• Small power generator<br />

• First aid supplies<br />

• Fence wire, duct tape


Large Equipment Inventory for a Commercial <strong>Vineyard</strong><br />

THINGS YOU REALLY SHOULD HAVE:<br />

• Tractor (2 or 4WD) or crawler<br />

• Spray Cab w/ filter system<br />

• Grape Hoe<br />

• Post Pounder or<br />

• 3-Point Auger<br />

• Mower/Brush Chopper<br />

• Herbicide Sprayer<br />

• Fungicide/Insecticide Sprayer<br />

• Vine Hedger<br />

• Reliable Farm Pickup Truck<br />

THINGS IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:<br />

• ATV or Mule<br />

• Leaf removing machine<br />

• Cultivator/Seed Drill<br />

• Soil Spader<br />

• Flatbed Truck<br />

• Grape Bin Trailers<br />

• Bird Netting and/or Pyrotechnic Devices<br />

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS:<br />

• Reliable and Clean Water Source<br />

• Nurse Tank for your sprayer<br />

• Electricity<br />

• Shop/Office<br />

• Open or enclosed storage for large<br />

equipment


Applies to All Equipment, Material and Supplies<br />

• Good vendor or supplier: availability, do they deliver, do they know<br />

their product, reputation in the industry?<br />

• Get recommendations and referrals from other growers<br />

• Highest grade or quality of material<br />

• Service: how to get it fixed… fast!<br />

• Check your <strong>materials</strong> and equipment BEFORE you use or install them<br />

• Do they pick up and/or deliver?


Tractors<br />

•4WD, if needed<br />

•PTO power<br />

•Reliability<br />

•Service<br />

•Spray Safe Cab<br />

•Width<br />

•Implements


ir blast Sprayer<br />

Pak Tank Herbicide Sprayer


Lipco Tunnel Sprayer


Braun Grape Hoe


Keep a neat and organized shop


http://www.gemplers.com/


<strong>Vineyard</strong> Design and Site Preparation: 30 mins


<strong>Vineyard</strong> Design<br />

This is why you did the thorough <strong>site</strong> evaluation<br />

Vine Density<br />

•Row Spacing<br />

•Vine Spacing<br />

Vine Rows<br />

•Direction<br />

•Length<br />

•Slope<br />

•Aspect<br />

•Wind<br />

Block Size and Shape<br />

•Variety, clone and rootstock<br />

•Topography<br />

•Frost pockets<br />

•Trees, neighbors, etc.<br />

Headlands and Working Space<br />

Trellis and training systems


Vine Size, Balance and Density<br />

• Soil capacity<br />

• Vine size<br />

• Vine balance: veg vs. crop<br />

• Quality/yield relationship<br />

– Amount of fruit per vine<br />

• Trellis system choice<br />

• Training system<br />

• Row direction and length<br />

• Exceptions to the rule: THV West block<br />

• High density: < 20 sq ft/vine<br />

• Low density: > 80 sq ft/vine<br />

• Medium density somewhere in between<br />

• 8’x4’ to 10’x5’ is normal for this region


A great schematic of<br />

a balanced<br />

vine. Too Narrow<br />

It’s very<br />

visual.<br />

Optimum<br />

Too Wide<br />

From: Intrieri and Filipetti American Journal of Enology and<br />

Viticulture, 50 th Anniversary


Row Spacing: Quantity<br />

• 1:1 Height to Width<br />

• Equipment<br />

• Trellis Type<br />

Vine Spacing: Quality<br />

• Vine Balance<br />

• Yield per vine<br />

• Vine vigor considerations<br />

• Costs


Canopy Dimensions and Wires: some key metrics<br />

• Leaf area index 1.5-2.0 sq meter per kilogram of fruit<br />

• 1-1.5 leaf layers<br />

• 3-5 shoots per foot of trellis<br />

• < 0.4 lb of pruning weight per foot of trellis<br />

• 15-20 leaves per shoot to ripen 2 clusters<br />

• Row width to canopy height – 1:0.8<br />

• VSP: 6 ft+ total, 4’ of canopy<br />

• Scott Henry/Smart-Dyson: 7 ft+<br />

• Fruit wire: 24” - 36”. 2-3 pair of catch wires


Vine Density Effects on Development Costs<br />

43,560 sq ft/ac @ $5/grafted vine<br />

• 12x8 (454) – $ 2270<br />

• 10x5 (871) – 4355<br />

• 9x4 (1210) – 6050<br />

• 8x4 (1361) – 6805<br />

• 7x3.5 (1936) – 9680<br />

• 6x3 (2420) – 12,100<br />

• 3x3 (4840) – 24,200


The Cost to Plant One-Acre of Vinifera Grapevines in Southeast Pennsylvania<br />

Assumptions: Start with a one-acre cleared field. Spacing is 8x5 requiring 1089 <strong>plant</strong>s per acre.<br />

Dimensions of field are 210 ft x 210 ft. 27 rows.<br />

1. 54 x 10’ Rib-Bak End Post 1350<br />

2. 297 x 10g notched galvanized steel line stakes 2970<br />

3. 36,000 feet x 12 gauge hi-tensile trellis wire 750<br />

4. 54 x 36 inch earth anchors 330<br />

6. Wire Vise 150<br />

7. 81 x wire strainers plus handle 160<br />

8. Crimp sleeves and tool 80<br />

9. 1100 pencil training stakes 550<br />

10. Gripple wire fasteners 60<br />

11. Vine ties 200<br />

12. 1100 x grow tubes or milk cartons 550<br />

13. 1089 x grafted vinifera grapevines (prep and shipping) 5445<br />

14. Labor at $15.00 per hour x 120 hours (<strong>plant</strong>ing, trellis, training, etc) 1800<br />

15. Laser Planting ($45/row + $.60/vine + $1800 truck fee) 3800<br />

16. Irrigation (not including well or pond) 2500<br />

17. Site Preparation (no forest, soil amendments, weed control, etc.) 1000<br />

18. Deer Fence (8’ mesh exclusion, wood posts) 4000<br />

19. Drain Tile (soil assessment will determine if it is needed) 2500<br />

TOTAL DAMAGES: $ 28,250 (round up to $35K)<br />

Prices courtesy of Spec Trellising, Ivyland, PA


Development Cost Calculator from<br />

Washington State University<br />

http://www.nwgrapecalculators.org/


Commercial Training and Trellis Systems<br />

• Vertical single canopy systems<br />

– Vertical Shoot Position<br />

– High wire cane or cordon<br />

• Vertically divided canopy systems<br />

– Scott Henry<br />

– Smart-Dyson<br />

• Horizontally divided canopy systems<br />

– Lyre<br />

– Geneva Double Curtain


Row Orientation: which way?<br />

•Slope<br />

•Aspect<br />

•Wind<br />

•Safety<br />

•Aesthetics


Row Length<br />

•Maximum Length<br />

•Equipment Needs<br />

•Human Needs


Headlands and<br />

working space<br />

Leave enough room for him to turn around<br />

and to unload


A schedule to follow for <strong>plant</strong>ing in spring, 2015<br />

• Summer 2013: <strong>site</strong> evaluation (soil, climate data). Write a business plan.<br />

Viticulture education. Consultants.<br />

• In fall of 2013, order vines (variety, clone, rootstock)<br />

• Winter 2014: vineyard <strong>design</strong><br />

• In spring and summer 2014: Clear field and begin weed control on <strong>site</strong>.<br />

Bioremediation for nematodes. Deer fence and roads installed, storage shed,<br />

well and other permanent structures. Check vine orders.<br />

• Fall, 2014: continue weed control, start soil <strong>preparation</strong>, rip and disc, add soil<br />

amendments, <strong>plant</strong> annual cover crop or cover with straw, install drip<br />

irrigation and tile drainage<br />

• Winter, 2015: Control gophers and other vertebrates. Check vine orders.<br />

Reserve laser <strong>plant</strong>er. Order trellis <strong>materials</strong>. Get ready for spring push.<br />

• Early spring 2015: final herbicide application for control of perennial weeds.<br />

Disc and harrow field to smooth <strong>plant</strong>ing surface, check with nursery on vine<br />

delivery date. Layout fields.<br />

• Mid-spring 2015: Receive and store <strong>plant</strong>s properly. Plant when soil<br />

conditions are right in April or May. Build trellis, hang drip hose, begin vine<br />

training. Grow tubes? Disease and pest controls


Site Preparation: This is the only time you<br />

will have an open field to work with<br />

• Do as much as you can before the vines are in the ground<br />

• Find out all the past history of the area to be <strong>plant</strong>ed<br />

• See and understand what your neighbors are doing. Orchards? <strong>Vineyard</strong>s?<br />

• If the field was <strong>plant</strong>ed in orchard or vineyard, lay fallow for 1-4 years<br />

• Decide what and how much cultivation to do. Have a good reason for every<br />

treatment.<br />

• Make sure conditions are right for working the ground. Avoid compaction.<br />

• Remove everything that is not wanted now – weeds, rocks, etc.<br />

• Prepare the surface for marking lines and flags<br />

• If laser <strong>plant</strong>ing, special <strong>preparation</strong> requirements, ask them and follow<br />

instructions to the letter or pay in quality and cost.<br />

• Caution: neighbors are watching and wondering. Deal with them honestly<br />

and openly. Have a plan. Have a party. Inform and educate.<br />

• Do not hurry. Do it right the first time! The land will still be there tomorrow.


•Vine, trees and brush<br />

•Rocks<br />

•Old fencing<br />

•Old cars and refrigerators<br />

•<strong>Vineyard</strong> perimeter<br />

•Burning fields<br />

PREPARING THE FIELD<br />

Now is your best chance!


To avoid this: control weeds before you <strong>plant</strong> vines


DRAINAGE AND TILING<br />

Excess water is the greatest enemy of fine wines<br />

• advantages and drawbacks<br />

•NRCS and soil consultants


Irrigation<br />

•Benefits: young vine development and drought years<br />

•Water source?<br />

•Water rights?<br />

•Power: 3 phase?<br />

•Cost for drip system<br />

•Problems


An essential feature for most vineyards<br />

10 Feet<br />

•Deer<br />

•Wabbits<br />

•People


SOIL CONDITIONING<br />

•Subsoiling/Ripping<br />

•Vine row, wing ripping<br />

•Plowing<br />

•Discing<br />

•Cultivating<br />

•Springtooth harrowing<br />

•Dragging


Soil Preparation<br />

• Rip if necessary<br />

• Always ask “why am I doing this? Do I need to do<br />

this?”<br />

• Rip 2 ways or on the vine row with a winged plow<br />

(Rutger photo). Uniform depth and effect.<br />

• Top dress with compost to repair pulverized soil<br />

structure, incorporate


AMENDMENTS<br />

•Lime<br />

•Gypsum<br />

•Fertilizers<br />

•Compost


Cover Crops: benefits<br />

and dangers<br />

• Before <strong>plant</strong>ing<br />

• After <strong>plant</strong>ing<br />

• Mature vineyard<br />

New <strong>Vineyard</strong><br />

Mature <strong>Vineyard</strong>


Prepare and mark the field


Design and layout<br />

• Contours, slope, flat land features<br />

• Rocks, ponds, woods, swales<br />

• Block size and shape<br />

• Varieties and rootstocks: where for best suitability and effect. Soils and<br />

local climate effects<br />

• Layout<br />

– Surveyor and transit<br />

– Clean field, dirt clods/wire<br />

– Marking flags, popscicle sticks, fence wire, nicos, orange paint, measuring<br />

sticks, tape measures, squares<br />

– Stakes, hammers<br />

• Stakes: line 16-24’ apart, 2-2.5 deep; end 3’min in, 20 degrees,<br />

submains inside of stake, anchors straight in


Marking the field


Layout and Marking the Field: one and only chance<br />

•Hire a professional surveyor for initial marks<br />

•Transit, distance wheel and marking flags<br />

•Marking lines<br />

•Popsicle sticks, straws<br />

•A good eye<br />

• Over hill and dale<br />

•The benefits of straight<br />

rows… equipment,<br />

aesthetic, etc.


Other Preparation Methods<br />

• Planting Through Sod<br />

• Planting into Clean Strips


Plant Materials and Planting: 30 mins


Nurseries and Vines<br />

•# of vines to order: re<strong>plant</strong>s<br />

•Nurseries: NY vs. CA WA<br />

•Trunk and <strong>plant</strong> disease and viruses<br />

•Certified <strong>materials</strong><br />

•When to order: spring vs. fall<br />

•Payment: down and payments<br />

•What to order<br />

•Species and varieties<br />

•Clones<br />

•Rootstocks<br />

•Potted vs. bare root<br />

•Dormant vs. green grafted<br />

•Quality of <strong>materials</strong> and methods<br />

•Inspect before <strong>plant</strong>ing<br />

•Problems with new vines<br />

•Delivery dates and methods<br />

•Storing <strong>plant</strong>s


Clones and Rootstocks<br />

• Vinifera clones matter a lot to many wine makers<br />

• They can improve quality, or not<br />

• Rootstock <strong>selection</strong> is among the most critical decision you<br />

will make, including for some hybrid varieties<br />

• Match rootstocks to wine goals and soils<br />

• Understand that new clonal and rootstocks <strong>plant</strong> <strong>materials</strong><br />

have particular issues<br />

• Never let a nurseryman decide what you <strong>plant</strong>: it’s your<br />

vineyard!<br />

• Educate yourself and get good advice!


Grading and testing vines<br />

Root pruning for machine


•When to <strong>plant</strong><br />

•Soil condition<br />

•Inspect vines<br />

•Preparing vines<br />

•Root pruning<br />

•How to <strong>plant</strong><br />

•The Hole<br />

•Vine depth<br />

•Auger vs. shovel<br />

•Planting machines<br />

•Water<br />

•Fertilizer<br />

•Mulch<br />

Planting


The Way to Straight Rows


Laser Planting means straight and evenly spaced rows


Trellis Installation: 30 mins


The Trellis System<br />

Materials<br />

•Training Stakes<br />

•Trellis Wire<br />

•Wire Holders<br />

•Fruit Wires<br />

•Catch wires<br />

•End Posts<br />

•Earth Anchors<br />

•Line Posts<br />

•Cross Arms<br />

•Wire Tensioners<br />

•Wire Splicers<br />

•Staples<br />

Installation Equipment<br />

•Post Pounder vs. Auger<br />

•Safety Equipment<br />

•Shear Pins<br />

•Soil Tampers<br />

•Shovels<br />

•Spinning Jenny<br />

•Wire Splicing Tools<br />

•Come-Along<br />

•Hand Tools<br />

•Drill and Generator<br />

•Measuring tape and stick


Trellis Construction<br />

• Make it Last: Use only highest quality <strong>materials</strong> available for durability.<br />

Correct installation is essential for longevity<br />

• Wire - Galvanized, high tensile, coated, 12g fruit, 14g catch, fasteners.<br />

• Posts – Line and End: steel vs wood? Diameter/gauge. Galvanized. Rolled<br />

or T. Notch positions – will it do SH? Planting depth, tall enough to divide,<br />

End Assemblies – strong but don’t over do it.<br />

• Miscellaneous – training stakes, strainers, fasteners<br />

• Right Equipment for Installation: driving posts and stakes, turning anchors,<br />

running and splicing wire.<br />

• Install before or after <strong>plant</strong>s? Irrigation? Drain tile? Laser?<br />

• Wire Positions: fruit 24-30”, catch wires – fixed and movable, 2 or 3 pairs<br />

of catch wire, what type of post/stake holder? Irrigation wire at 12”


Install Trellis<br />

• Steel line and end stakes: cost, gauge, notch type and<br />

position, length (above and below ground for VSP/SH)<br />

• Install: drive in, do not auger or use a vibrator<br />

• Wire: high tensile, 200K test, safety glasses and gloves,<br />

double nicopress, wire strainers, training stake and clip<br />

• Use a spinning jenny, wire end in ground to hold it<br />

• Nicopress or gripple properly and securely<br />

• Use tensioners, don’t skimp


How to Install Correctly<br />

• Drive posts, do not <strong>plant</strong> them<br />

• Line posts: 2-3’ deep, 7’ above (divided). 15-20 feet between posts. All must<br />

be same height – hedger, harvester.<br />

• End posts: steel w/ spade or min 5-8”, 4’ deep<br />

• Wire: use a spinning jenny to apply, splice correctly, leave enough length at<br />

ends to work with<br />

• Tie offs: double wrap with staple or wire vise on steel<br />

• Anchors – screw in straight down with bobcat auger or steel bar or bury,<br />

always to eye depth<br />

• Anchor wires: white pvc tubes for visibility<br />

• Strainers – only necessary on fruit wire carrying loads


Standard Vertical Shoot Positioning


End Assemblies – nothing fancy<br />

but very strong.


New <strong>Vineyard</strong> Development


Black Ankle <strong>Vineyard</strong>, MD


Sustainable and Organic Wine Growing in the East<br />

• Arid vs. humid region wine growing<br />

• Lack of knowledge and experience in organic viticulture. No firm extension<br />

recommendations on practices.<br />

• Dogma/philosophy vs. viticultural reality<br />

• Use sustainable viticultural practices<br />

• The challenges – disease (black rot in particular), insects, weeds, etc.<br />

• Take the slow approach. With each step there is greater risk<br />

• Learn conventional, then adopt sustainable, test organic/biodynamic<br />

• Natives and hybrids are more disease resistant<br />

• Start on a small scale. A blended approach seems to work the best.<br />

• Only best grower and best practices need apply<br />

• Learn from others – Europe, California, Australia<br />

• Eyes on the prize – fine wine!


Good choices at Black Ankle <strong>Vineyard</strong> in Maryland:<br />

•Heavy gauge steel end posts and stakes<br />

•Straight rows (laser <strong>plant</strong>ed)<br />

•Coated, heavy gauge trellis wire<br />

•Rolled steel training stakes<br />

•Milk cartons for herbicide and rabbit protection<br />

•Weed control<br />

•Cover crop<br />

•Good <strong>site</strong> – see rocks<br />

•Dog (deer control)<br />

•<strong>Vineyard</strong> manager<br />

•Smart owners with lots of money


Information Resources<br />

• Local and regional extension and research (hint: UMD,<br />

Cornell University and Virginia Tech)<br />

• Private consultants<br />

• Your state wine and grower associations<br />

• Books, magazines, journals and internet <strong>site</strong>s<br />

• Other growers: go out and look at vineyards and learn, near<br />

and far<br />

• Wineries: your customers


Some Advice<br />

• If you want to <strong>plant</strong> 10 acres, start with five<br />

• Once you figure out your development costs, double them<br />

• Do NOT take shortcuts or skimp on quality – labor, <strong>materials</strong> or practices<br />

- it will always cost you more in the end, in both time and money<br />

• Make sure you have the time, money and passion for a long term project<br />

• Fill the knowledge gap: read and learn as much as you can through books<br />

and meetings, use consultants, etc.<br />

• Visit high quality vineyards, observe and understand, ask smart questions<br />

and, if possible, work<br />

• Not essential, but very helpful, taste benchmark wines of the type you are<br />

growing/making<br />

• Strive for QUALITY in the vineyard


Go to:<br />

http://pawinegrape.com<br />

to find all of the<br />

presentations<br />

in this workshop, and<br />

much more!<br />

Sign up for the Penn State<br />

Viticulture e-newsletter on<br />

PWGN


Destined to be Great Wine<br />

Ripe Cabernet Sauvignon<br />

on 35 year old vines at<br />

Allegro <strong>Vineyard</strong>s in York<br />

County, Pennsylvania.

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