Establishing a Vineyard

Table of Contents

1. Importance of Clean Plants and Quarantines
2. Getting Started
3. Vineyard Design Considerations
4. Washington State: Geology and Climate
5. Soils
6. Variety and Rootstock Selection
7. Trellis Design and Vine Training
8. Field-Grafting Grapevines
9. Other Resources

 

Importance of Clean Plants and Quarantines

 

 

• FAQ’s about Clean Plants – Clean Plant Center – Northwest Grapes
• Certified Nurseries – Planting “Clean” is key to successful grape production in Washington State and beyond.
• WA Plant Quarantines – WSDA Information on Plant Quarantines for Washington
• Field Guide To Clean Plants and Quarantines in Washington State (PDF) – Washington Wine Industry Foundation
  • ESPAÑOL –Giua de campo para plantas limpias y cuarentenas en el estado de Washington (PDF)– Washington Wine Industry Foundation
• Why Clean Plants? (PDF) – Washington Wine Industry Foundation
  • ESPAÑOL– PORQUE PLANTAS “LIMPIAS? (PDF) – Washington Wine Industry Foundation

 

Getting Started

• Considerations and Resources for Vineyard Establishment in the Inland Pacific Northwest – #PNW634
• Vinewise: Washington’s Guide to Sustainable Winegrape Production – WAWGG
• Economics of WA Grape Production – WSU Webpage
• Vine to Wine: Successfully Establishing a Vineyard or Winery – WSU #OM41
• WESTERN WA – Growing Wine Grapes in Maritime Western Washington – WSU #EM086e
• ORGANIC – Establishing an Organic Vineyard (PDF) – WSU Research Report

 

Vineyard Design Considerations

• Vineyard Design (row orientation, planting density, etc) – eXtension.org / eViticulture.org Webpage
• ORGANIC – WSDA Organic Materials List and Information – This list is subject to change annually; please check current list.

 

Washington State: Geology and Climate

• AgWeatherNet –  The source for Washington State weather data.
• Geologic Map of Washington (ZIP) – 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

Soil Types

• Web Soil Survey: Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) has a web soil survey with interactive and searchable maps.
  • Video – How to Use the Web Soil Survey
• Understanding Soil Surveys – NRCS webpage on the ins-and-outs of reading and understanding soil survey maps.
• Soil Surveys by County: Washington – NRCS webpage with archived information on county soil surveys.

Soil Testing and Remediation

• See “Soils and Nutrition” for more information

 

Variety and Rootstock 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.

Plant Sources

The Clean Plant Center Northwest maintains a list of Washington and Oregon Nurseries who cell certified vines.  This list is not exhaustive, but is a good starting place to determine where to source plant material.   Please see the opening statement at the top of this page regarding WA quarantines and regulations relating to the import of out-of-state grapevine materials.

• Clean Plant Center Northwest– Check out the current availability of different varieties in the Washington State Grape Foundation Block. Nurseries have top priority in purchasing plant material from the CPCNW, but in many cases, they are able to accommodate smaller private orders if sufficient plant material is available.
• National Grape Registry – A great database out of California of different grape varieties and clones available in the USA. This is not a source of plant material, but may help you locate a nursery that cells a certified version of the variety or clone you are looking for.
• Grape Genetic Testing and Identification – A service provided by the Foundation Plant Service out of UC-Davis that can determine the variety/cultivar of an unknown grapevine. Clonal identification is currently not available.

Variety Information

• Vitis International Variety Catalog – A searchable database of different varieties, and their various synonyms.
• WESTERN WA – Growing Winegrapes in Maritime Western Washington – WSU #EM068e
• WESTERN WA – Western Washington Wine Grape Variety Trials (2000-2008) (PDF) – WSU Mt. Vernon Trial Reports
• WESTERN WA – Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations for an Organic Vineyard (PDF) – WSU-NWREC
• Cool Climate Wine Grape Selections – Cornell University
• Northern Grapes Project – A joint venture designed to aid in viticulture production of cold-hardy (winter low temperatures) varieties.

Rootstock Information

• Rootstock Selection (PDF) – 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 (PDF) – Pages 12-15 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication
• Rootstocks as a Management Tool (PDF) – Report by Wine Australia

 

Trellis Design and Vine Training

• Training and Trellising Grapes – WSU #EB0637
• Installing a Vineyard Trellis (PDF) – Iowa State University
• Trellis Selection and Canopy Management (PDF) – Pages 16-21 in: Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication
• ORGANIC – Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations for an Organic Vineyard (PDF) – WSU-NWREC

Field-Grafting Grapevines

• Field Grafting Grapevines in Washington State – WSU EM121e
• Chip Bud Grafting for Wine and Juice Grapes– WSU #EB2023
• Illustrated Guide to Field Grafting Grapevines – Northwest Berry & Grape Network (PNW Universities and USDA)
• Grafting Grape Vines – eViticulture Article
  • ESPAÑOL – Injerto de las Plantas de Uva – eViticulture Article

Other Resources

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.

Washington AVAs

Planting within an existing AVA (PDF) has many marketing advantages.

Need a Consultant?

Washington Winegrowers Association, an industry organization in Washington, has a list of private consultants that can help you with the details of vineyard establishment. Visit the Washington Winegrowers Service and Supplier webpage for more information.

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