Continuation of Scott Campanella's Article On
Starting And Maintaining A Vineyard

One of many companies devoted to vineyard management.

Title: Vineyard Establishment And Management (Continued)
Author: Scott Campanella

Diseases and Pests - Vines planted in certain regions are prone to various diseases, insect infestation, or animal damage. Vineyards next to bodies of water or fields where hay is cut may be vulnerable to insect swarms. Forest creatures, such as deer and birds can also wreak havoc with an otherwise prosperous vineyard.

With each season, different vineyard management tasks.

Grape Varieties - It's essential to know which types of grapevines will produce best in any given area. Varieties such as Riesling prefer a colder climate than Pinot Noir, which prospers in more moderate, steady temperatures. It's also imperative to know the growing tendencies and freeze thresholds of the vines you'd like to plant.

Topography - The layout of the land can have a big impact on grape quality. It's usually favorable to plant grapevines on gently sloping land, to promote sufficient air flow and avoid frost pockets. Many vineyards above the equator lie on southern-facing slopes to maximize heat units.

Soil - One of the most challenging aspects of choosing a vineyard site is knowing whether the soil is good for growing grapes. Grapevines need soil with good drainage, so that the roots get proper oxygen. Soils that don't fall into acceptable pH and salinity (saltiness) ranges should be avoided.

VINEYARD MANAGEMENT

Once the vineyard site is established, the management process begins. The soil must be worked, vines must be planted, and trellises must be laid. Any irrigation systems must also be implemented, and cover crop planted. When the vines start to grow, pruning should be done to ensure healthy vine and grape maturity. Close monitoring of fruit is also essential to producing quality wine grapes.

Grape Development - Understanding the grape-growing process, from vine to wine, is extremely important if one wants to produce excellent grapes. A vineyard manager must closely monitor the grape from bud to veraison to harvest. It is good to perform detailed chemical analysis or lab tests on the grapes if possible.

Groundwork - Grapevines are capable of growing very deep into the ground, but are usually concentrated to just the top three feet of soil. Generally, the ground must be tilled one year in advance of planting, and any weeds or bigger objects removed. Vineyard orientation and vine and row spacing must also be considered. Cover crops planted between the rows should be considered as a means to control erosion and promote soil quality.

Irrigation - Not all areas need water supplements. The average vineyard needs only about 24 inches of rainfall per year to yield quality grapes. In fact, it is often desirable to have less rainfall rather than more, which deprives the vines in a way that produces higher quality fruit.

Pruning - Controlling vine growth is important to producing vines that yield good fruit. Dormant vines should be pruned annually, during the cold season. Pruning the vines promotes a proper balance between overproduction of fruit and undercropping.

Training Systems - When grapevines begin to grow, they need support systems for the branches. Trellises are the most popular type of support system currently in use. One must consider the variety of materials used, plus trellis spacing and height.

Having said all this, planting a vineyard can be a great opportunity for someone with the time, money and knowledge required.

About the author: Vineyard Owner
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Campanella