Establishing a Vineyard
Getting Started
- Considerations and Resources for Vineyard Establishment in the Inland Pacific Northwest – #PNW634
- Vine to Wine: Successfully Establishing a Vineyard or Winery – WSU #DVD007
- Growing Wine Grapes in Maritime Western Washington – WSU #EB2001 (UPDATE COMING IN 2014)
- Vinewise: Washington’s Guide to Sustainable Winegrape Production – WAWGG
- Economics of WA Grape Production – WSU Webpage
- Practical Guide for Starting a Commercial Vineyard- Penn State Viticulture Extension
Washington State: Geology and Climate
- Site Selection for Grapes in Eastern Washington – WSU #EB1358
- AgWeatherNet - The source for Washington State weather data.
- Geologic Map of Washington – A great map that describes the geological features of the state. (link will open a .zip file from the Washington State DNR).
- Western Regional Climate Center – Historical information regarding growing degree days, temperature, precipitation, wind speed and directions for a number of locations in the Western United States.
- Normal Climate Maps for United States – Use this site to get frost/freeze data for the past 30 years, precipitation data, and more through the NOAA.
- 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps - Determine the 30-year average absolute minimum temperatures for a particular area. Is your site appropriate for winter-tender vines?
Soils
Understanding your site soil before planting is critical. Do a soil test pre-planting, to determine macro- and micro-nutrient availability. Use Accredited Analytical Labs for your soil tests, as they have to follow and pass standards to ensure quality data.
- Analytical Labs and Consultants can provide soil testing for herbicide residues before you plant.
- Web Soil Survey: Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) has a web soil survey with interactive and searchable maps.
- Understanding Soil Surveys – NRCS webpage on the ins-and-outs of reading and understanding soil survey maps.
- Soil Characteristics and Quality – A WSU Extension website with great information regarding soils. While tree-fruit focused, it has excellent information especially relating to replant issues.
- Soil Surveys by County: Washington – NRCS webpage with archived information on county soil surveys.
- Acidifying Soil for Crop Production – Inland Pacific Northwest – #PNW599e
- Acidifying Soil for Crop Production – West of the Cascades - OSU #EM8857e
- Understanding Soil pH – WSU-TFREC website
- Liming to Improve Soil Quality in Acid Soils – USDA Agronomy Note #8
Trellis Design and Vine Training
- Training and Trellising Grapes - WSU #EB0637
- Installing a Vineyard Trellis - Iowa State University
- Trellis Selection and Canopy Management – Pages 16-21 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication
- Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations for an Organic Vineyard – WSU-NWREC
Plant Material Selection
Variety selection is dependent on what is best suited for your site and what you can market/sell. Consult potential fruit customers and winemakers before heavily investing in large plantings.
- Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations for an Organic Vineyard – WSU-NWREC
- Vitis International Variety Catalog – A searchable database of different varieties, and their various synonyms.
- National Grape Registry – A great database out of California of different grape varieties and clones available in the USA.
- Clean Plant Center Northwest Grapes – Check out the current availability of different varieties in the Washington State Grape Foundation Block.
- Rootstock Selection – OSU #EM8882 – Rootstocks are recommended for western Washington, due to general lower soil pH and cooler, shorter seasons. Conditions in western Oregon are similar to Western Washington.
- Rootstock Selection – Pages 12-15 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication
Cool and Cold Climate Variety Information
- Growing Grapes for Wine and Table in the Puget Sound – WSU #EB0775
- Growing Winegrapes in Maritime Western Washington – WSU #EB2001
- Varieties for Maritime Climates – WSU Presentation
- Cool Climate Wine Grape Selections – Cornell University
- Cool Climate Table Grape Selections – Cornell University
- Northern Grapes Project – A joint venture designed to aid in viticulture production of cold-hardy (winter low temperatures) varieties.
Planting “Clean” – Using Certified Plant Material
Planting certified material is critical for the long-term sustainability of our industry, and for keeping Washington free of many of the pests and diseases that plague other grape-growing regions.
- Getting Disease Free Material – Planting “Clean” is key to successful grape production in Washington State and beyond.
- Foundation Plant Services – Out of UC-Davis, FPS has one of the largest grapevine importation services in the country. Just remember, that while WA accepts CA certification for grapes, the two states differ in which pathogens are allowable.
Quick Links
Viticulture Courses
Take individual programs from the Viticulture Certificate Course, and custom-build your knowledge base. Choose from courses on General Grape Production, Economics, Irrigation, Disease and Insect Management, and Soils and Nutrition.
Organic Certification
Washington Tilth Association is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to provide support for and promotion of biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture.
WSDA Organic Food Program – Provides information on the procedures of becoming certified organic, and is a certifying agency for growers.
USDA National Organic Program – The NOP develops and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products.
WSU Grape Pest Management Guide
Guide to control of pests on commercial grapes. Includes information on pest management during establishment. Updated annually – WSU #EB0762. Click here to order a hard copy. Click here to order a downloadable PDF.
Washington AVAs
Planting within an existing AVA has many marketing advantages.
Need a Consultant?
WAWGG, an industry organization in Washington, has a list of private consultants that can help you with the details of vineyard establishment. Click here and scroll halfway through the page.