Establishing and Managing a Vineyard

Vineyard Establishment

Getting Started – Growing Grapes

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

Vineyard Design: Trellising 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
• Vineyard Design (row orientation, planting density, etc) – eXtension.org / eViticulture.org Webpage
• ORGANIC – See also “Organic Vineyards” Webpage
  • WSDA Organic Materials List and Information – This list is subject to change annually; please check current list.
  • Trellis and Planting Stock Considerations for an Organic Vineyard (PDF) – WSU-NWREC

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 Health in Washington Vineyards – WSU #FS378e
• 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.

Grape (Scion) Varieties

• 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
• 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.
• 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.

Rootstock Information

• Grapevine Rootstocks: Origins and Perspectives – an Acta Horticulturae review
• Rootstocks as a Management Tool (PDF) – Report by Wine Australia
• Rootstock Selection Factors – eXtension.org brief article
• 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

Vineyard Management

Pruning

• Basic Consideration for Pruning Grapevines– Extension.org
• Grapevine Pruning Practices – eXtension.org
• Pruning Basics – eXtension.org Webpage
  • WESTERN WA – Cane Pruning – OSU Video
  • Spur Pruning – OSU Video

Canopy Management

• The Role of Canopy Management in Vine Balance – OSU #EM9071
• Canopy Management for Pacific Northwest Vineyards – WSU #EB2018e

Crop Management

• Vineyard Yield Estimation – WSU #EM086e
  • ESPAÑOL-Estimación del Rendimiento del Viñedo – WSU #EM086ES
• Crop Thinning – eXtension.org Webpage
• Understanding Vine Balance (.pdf) – OSU #EM9068

Vineyard Floor Management

• Soil Health in Washington Vineyards – WSU #FS378e
• Cover Crops as a Floor Management Strategy for Pacific Northwest Vineyards – WSU #EB2010
• Washington Vineyards “Beauty with Benefits” Project – WSU Website
• Weed Management – WSU Webpage
• ORGANIC – Cover Cropping Systems for Organically Farmed Vineyards. Practical Winery & Vineyard Magazine 2004

Other Management Considerations:

• Irrigation and Water Management
• Pest Management (Diseases, Insects, Weeds, Nematodes)
• Disorders and Other Vine Issues
• Pesticide Application and Licensing

Variety Changing / Grafting-Over

• Field Grafting Grapevines in Washington State – WSU #EM121e
• Chip Bud Grafting in Washington State Vineyards – 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

On-Farm Trials

• On-Farm Vineyard Trials: A Grower’s Guide – WSU #EM098e