L3 Chapter 6 -Vineyard Management Flashcards
(41 cards)
What conditions factor into a grape grower’s site selection?
(1) ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
-potential average temperature, rainfall, sunlight, fertility of soil, and how well soil drains
-this will influence what choice of grape variety can grow, as well as, planting density and systems of trellising
(2) BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
-proximity of vineyard to utility infrastructure (power/water),
-availability of vineyard workforce,
-accessibility of site for machinery
-cost of the land
(3) GRAPE VARIETY
-must suit the climatic conditions of the preferred site
-demand for grape variety
-EU restrictions on grape varieties
How is a new vineyard planted?
What should be done to the soil before a new vineyard is planted?
Usually young vines are bought pre-grafted and planted either by hand or machine. They are protected with plastic sleeves.
Before planting the vineyard site should be cleared of existing vegetation and soil tested to correct nutrient deficiencies
When does first yield of a new vineyard come?
Typically in the 3rd year after planting
When are the majority of vines replaced?
Vines can live a long time, but most are replaced between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.
Vineyards are typically left to fallow (unplanted) for 3 years after vines are dug up, to allow the land to recover
What are “old vines”/vielles vignes?
Vines that are typically older than 50 years.
Wine is made from well-established plants and thought to produce, concentrated flavors, and fruit of exceptional quality.
-The yields of old vines, however, produce a smaller yield of fruit and can be susceptible to disease.
How are vines managed in the vineyard?
Grape growers manage a vineyards vines in relation to the vineyards resources (sunlight, temperature, water, and nutrients) using:
-training
-pruning
-trellising
-density of the planting area
What are the 2 types of vine training?
Explain what each of the differences of each of these.
Vine training refers to the shape of the permanent wood
Two types:
-HEAD TRAINING which has relatively little permanent wood some only.a trunk, or a few short arms of perm wood growing from the trunk)
(can be spur-pruned or replacement cane-pruned)
-CORDON TRAINING- typically have a trunk with one or more permanent horizontal arms. (usually spur-pruned).
cordon training takes longer but is sturdier and easier to use machine harvesting
What are the two types of winter vine pruning?
(1) Spur pruning
-can occur on either a head trained or cordon trained vine
-typically seen in warmer climates (California, Washington, and Spain)
-easier to prune
-more traditional method for old vine wines
(2) Replacement cane pruning or guyot pruning
-occurs on a head trained vine
-typically seen in cooler climates (Burgundy, Sonoma, and Oregon)
-by limiting the amount of permanent wood the vine is better protected from frost
-requires a high degree of skill to prune in this way, so typically only seen in prestigious vineyards
What is the purpose of winter pruning?
Its main purpose is to determine the number and location of the buds that will form shoots in the coming growing season.
Buds should not be close together.
What is the purpose of summer pruning?
Summer pruning involves trimming canopy to restrict vegetative growth so that it can direct nutrients to sugar production of the grape.
Can also involving stripping leaves to give grape bunches more exposure to sunlight.
How are trellises used to manage a vine canopy?
Two choices:
(1) untrellised vineyards
-Vines have no trellis and the shoots hang far down and as low as the ground
-best suited for warm/hot/dry/sunny regions like the Southern Rhone or Barossa Valley (Aus) - extra shade helps protects grapes
-not good for cool/wet regions where shade impedes ripening and can promote disease
(2) trellised vineyards
-each row of vines/cane shoots is tied to a line of trellis wires
What are 3 benefits of trellis training?
Most beneficial for cool/wet climates
(1) Can be used to control/increase the amount of sunlight that gets into the canopy to aid grape growth. Creating an “open canopy” maximizes sunlight helping grapes ripen successfully
(2) Open canopies increase circulation among the leaves which can help prevent fungal diseases -important in wet climates
(3) can make mechanization in vineyards easier to achieve/spraying of pesticides more effective
What is the most widely used trellising system?
Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
VSP is the process of training vine shoots vertically into a single, narrow, canopy.
Keeps canopy as open, well-aerated and shade free as possible
How can VSP be adjusted in warmer climates?
In warmer climates the top of the shoot is not tied to the trellis and allowed to flop over to provide some shade.
What is planting “density”?
The number of vines planted in a given area (ie. per hectare -a square with 100 meter sides)
low density may be 1000 vines per hectare while high density my be 10,000
What is a key factor in deciding planting density?
The amount of water and nutrients available.
How should vine density be approached for low rainfall regions?
-In regions with low rainfall/limited access to irrigation- density will be low to allow vines ability to take advantage of water in soil without having to compete.
How should vine density be approached for low nutrient, and sufficient rainfall regions?
Where the soil is low in nutrients but gets sufficient rainfall - vines may grow vigorously/produce vegetation. In this situation high density is preferred so that vines are competing for resources and directing to grape growth.
Here winter pruning is important as well. Too few buds means the vines will have too much access to energy, whereas too many means they won’t have enough nutrients and will struggle to ripen.
(Common in European vineyards)
How should vine density be approached for high nutrient, and sufficient rainfall regions?
-here high density planting is not enough to limit the vine vegetation growth
-instead systems of low density planting plus multiple cordons/canes used.
Allows for high yields of good quality
What are nematodes?
Microscopic worms that attack the roots of the vines interfering with water and nutrient uptake
What is downy mildew?
A fungus that thrives in warm, wet conditions.
Yellow spots on top of leaves and grey fuzzy patches under leaves. Can cause leaves to drop or reduce grape yields
When and at what temperature does bud burst begin?
Bud burst is the start of the season
It typically begins when the daily mean temperature exceeds 50 F (10C) .
This can depend on the variety. Pinot Noir/Chardonnay are early budding, but Cab Sauv is late budding and needs a warmer climate.
What is the biggest risk for early budding varieties?
New shoots can be susceptible to spring frosts, reducing yields
What are the 6 periods of the vineyard cycle?
(1) Winter Dormancy
–Dec to March -Northern Hemisphere
–June to Sept - Southern Hemisphere
winter pruning takes place, vines become dormant. earth may be piled up to protect against deadly extreme winter freezes.
(2) Budburst
–March to April -Northern Hemisphere
–Sept to Oct - Southern Hemisphere
Occurs when the mean daily temperature exceeds 10C (50F)
(3) Early Shoot and Leaf Growth
–March to May -Northern Hemisphere
–Sept to Nov - Southern Hemisphere
Photosynthesis begins. Vine needs good water & nutrient supply. Trellising may begin here, if practiced.
(4) Flowering and fruit set
–May to June -Northern Hemisphere
–Nov to Dec - Southern Hemisphere
At this time vine needs warm temps & little to no rain, otherwise pollination will be disrupted, reducing fruit set.
(5) Veraison and Berry Ripening
–July to Sept -Northern Hemisphere
–Jan to March - Southern Hemisphere
6-8 week period where grapes start to grow. Veraison signals grapes ripening. Skin color changes. Sugar levels rise and acidity drops as grapes swell & fill with water.
Warm & sunny conditions ideal.
(6) Harvest
–Sept to Oct -Northern Hemisphere
–March to April - Southern Hemisphere
Ideally conditions are dry during this time, to prevent grapes from swelling & diluting flavors and/or to prevent damp conditions which cause rot.
