In the language of grape growers and winemakers, the cultivation of grapes is called viticulture. It has been done for thousands of years and will continue to be so, to the delight of wine connoisseurs around the world. You can also experience this, as a small backyard home winemaker or even as a full time grower, managing a vast vineyard.
The best wines come from the best grapes and the best grapes can only come from vineyards with the right combination of factors affecting vine growth. Allowing for the best of these factors, you can be certain to produce the best quality grapes. And while modern technology could enhance the process of wine production, from growing grapes to its presentation in a bottle, or even marketing and other economic considerations, only the best-located and well-prepared vineyard can produce the best wines.
Selecting the vine – So you say to yourself, “Yes I can grow grapes and make my own wine. I’ve been enjoying drinking it for so long, it’s now time I make my own!”The first thing you need to know is your agricultural zone rating before you can successfully select vines for propagating. A zone rating is a number assigned to a specific region of land. There are several factors that come in to determining it, such as average minimum temperature.
Remember that you will have more success in growing grapes only if you select and plant a variety that thrives in your climate. Selecting otherwise will only end in disaster.
Your choice of the varieties to plant is also dependent on what kind of wine you want to make, plus the existing factors mentioned above. Are you going to make white wine or red wine? The choice depends mainly on your personal tastes and preferences, and the market you want to cater to.
Climate and Geography – Just as your body responds differently to varying temperatures; so do wine grapes. Climate is the single most important factor that influences the quality of wine grapes and how it is preserved. Hot and cold climates can affect wine quality to the point of spoilage and outright disaster. You must be sure to select grape varieties that ripen during the growing season. As much as possible, you should avoid growing grape varieties that mature during the hot summer months.
There are three climatic factors that should be considered essential:
Climate of the region – the macro climate – refers to the regional minimum winter temperatures and summer temperatures range and humidity.
Climate of the site in question – the meso climate – refers to the specific location,– the slope and the moderating effect of body of water.
Climate of the grapevine itself – the micro climate – refers to the specific area, like area inside a canopy or around a cluster.
Choosing a Site for the Vineyard – The goal of establishing an ideal site for your vineyard is to have good grape-producing vines. You can only achieve this if you have the ideal site. As real estate agents have “location, location, location” as their battle-cry, so you should have it too. You need to know if the location has all the right properties, such as the optimal altitude for growing, the right angle of the sun for the vine to receive the most benefits of sunlight, adequate availability of water, soil chemistry, to name a few.
To get the most out of the land you have and what is available, you have to get the right land in the right place, and make sure that it’s potential to give you the crops you desire is present and you are able to take advantage of them.
Soil type – If you really want to be sure, the easiest way to know if the soil is suitable for planting a new vineyard and what you can plant in it, you should have a professional make a test on the soil. You can acquire this paid service from an expert and get a clear idea of what type of grapes would be suitable to plant on your land.
Ordering and planting grape stocks – The most suitable sources of grape stocks are nurseries that specialize in grape plants and grow the desired cultivars.
You should order at least 6 months to a year before planting to ensure delivery.
The best ones are the one-year old plants because they are healthy and have a well-developed fibrous root system.
Two-year old or more nursery plants are often those that were too weak for selling at the end of one year and may grow poorly in the vineyard.
What we have discussed so far is actually the hardest part of grape growing. Once you have overcome the initial shock of finding out what you need to do and actually doing them, you only need to plan ahead to make things work. Click on the link for detailed information on growing grapes and my ebook “Growing Grapes, Making Wine, A Complete Guide” .
Introduction to Growing Grapes
In the language of grape growers and winemakers, the cultivation of grapes is called viticulture. It has been done for thousands of years and will continue to be so, to the delight of wine connoisseurs around the world. You can also experience this, as a small backyard home winemaker or even as a full time grower, managing a vast vineyard.
The best wines come from the best grapes and the best grapes can only come from vineyards with the right combination of factors affecting vine growth. Allowing for the best of these factors, you can be certain to produce the best quality grapes. And while modern technology could enhance the process of wine production, from growing grapes to its presentation in a bottle, or even marketing and other economic considerations, only the best-located and well-prepared vineyard can produce the best wines.
Selecting the vine – So you say to yourself, “Yes I can grow grapes and make my own wine. I’ve been enjoying drinking it for so long, it’s now time I make my own!” The first thing you need to know is your agricultural zone rating before you can successfully select vines for propagating. A zone rating is a number assigned to a specific region of land. There are several factors that come in to determining it, such as average minimum temperature.
Remember that you will have more success in growing grapes only if you select and plant a variety that thrives in your climate. Selecting otherwise will only end in disaster.
Your choice of the varieties to plant is also dependent on what kind of wine you want to make, plus the existing factors mentioned above. Are you going to make white wine or red wine? The choice depends mainly on your personal tastes and preferences, and the market you want to cater to.
Climate and Geography – Just as your body responds differently to varying temperatures; so do wine grapes. Climate is the single most important factor that influences the quality of wine grapes and how it is preserved. Hot and cold climates can affect wine quality to the point of spoilage and outright disaster. You must be sure to select grape varieties that ripen during the growing season. As much as possible, you should avoid growing grape varieties that mature during the hot summer months.
There are three climatic factors that should be considered essential:
Choosing a Site for the Vineyard – The goal of establishing an ideal site for your vineyard is to have good grape-producing vines. You can only achieve this if you have the ideal site. As real estate agents have “location, location, location” as their battle-cry, so you should have it too. You need to know if the location has all the right properties, such as the optimal altitude for growing, the right angle of the sun for the vine to receive the most benefits of sunlight, adequate availability of water, soil chemistry, to name a few.
To get the most out of the land you have and what is available, you have to get the right land in the right place, and make sure that it’s potential to give you the crops you desire is present and you are able to take advantage of them.
Soil type – If you really want to be sure, the easiest way to know if the soil is suitable for planting a new vineyard and what you can plant in it, you should have a professional make a test on the soil. You can acquire this paid service from an expert and get a clear idea of what type of grapes would be suitable to plant on your land.
Ordering and planting grape stocks – The most suitable sources of grape stocks are nurseries that specialize in grape plants and grow the desired cultivars.
What we have discussed so far is actually the hardest part of grape growing. Once you have overcome the initial shock of finding out what you need to do and actually doing them, you only need to plan ahead to make things work. Click on the link for detailed information on growing grapes and my ebook “Growing Grapes, Making Wine, A Complete Guide” .