Overview. Cold Climate Grape Growing: Starting and Sustaining a Vineyard

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1 Cold Climate Grape Growing: Starting and Sustaining a Vineyard John and Jenny Thull Vineyard Manager and Assistant Vineyard Manager University of Minnesota 1 Overview The Sustainable Vineyard Establishment Considerations Years 0 3 Beyond the 3 rd Season Keys to Success 2 1

2 The Sustainable Vineyard Does not cause harm or imbalance to the surrounding environment Can withstand our challenging climate Is managed so that the vines perform reliably and consistently Becomes economically viable as vines produce fruit 3 Establishment Considerations How much time and money are you willing to invest? During the growing season expect 10hr/week/Acre Quality of Labor makes the difference $8,000 to $10,000/Acre invested before cash begins to flow back in May break even around the 10 th to 12 th season 4 2

3 Establishment Considerations What kind of grapes will you grow? Growing for yourself Farmer s market Winery What is your business goal? Hobby Small scale Diversified Income Large scale Commercial Operation 5 Price of Wine Grapes in lb. =$.60 -$.80 ~$1,400/Ton 2 4 Tons/Acre $ K/Acre 6 3

4 If selling to a winery: Important to Know Find out what varieties are desirable to the winery Develop a close relationship with the winery The care you give to your vines should reflect in the quality of the fruit 7 Establishment Considerations Suitable Site -Sloped -Elevation -ph and OM% -Latitude -Nearby Crops or tree borders *Driftwatch Site 8 4

5 Considerations Try to match the Variety to the Trellis type depending on the Soil Trellis Options: Vertical Shoot Positioned, High Cordon, Geneva Double Curtain, Lyre Soil Character ph 6.5-7, Organic Matter 1-3%, well-drained, adequate nutrients Variety s growth can be Upright to Procumbent Vine vigor is genetic and soil dependent 9 Considerations Equipment needs 35hp Tractor Sprayers (one for fungal/insect pests, one for weeds Mowers (Flail for cuttings, Blade for grass Skid-loader (Cuttings removal, Loading Macro-bins) Fertilizer Spreader Trailers Hedger (for VSP vines) Trellis and Vineyard Tools (Pruners, Pickers, etc.) 10 5

6 Pre-Planting Field Prep and Amendments Decide on vine and row spacing 6 x 10 needs 726 vines/acre 7 x 10 needs 622 vines/acre Weed control plan grass planted now or later Leave Head End space for turning later Seeding Grass in Later Summer 12 6

7 Planting Rows measured and marked straight Have a plan for watering Drip lines or water wagon Augured holes vs. vine planter Trim the roots before planting Vine cost -$2.50 -$5.50 for bare-rooted or tissue cultured vine 13 Roots Trimmed 14 7

8 Trellising Best done shortly after planting Decide on wood vs. stamped metal posts Provide support for shoot growth to fruit wire Earth anchors vs. H end braces 15 End Post Schematic 16 8

9 Poorly Trained High Cordon Vine 17 Young High Cordon vine 18 9

10 Idealized High Cordon Vine 19 Vertical Shoot Positioned Vine 20 10

11 1 st Season Training 1 or 2 shoots taped upward toward trellis No fruit kept this year Weed control is important Fungal and insect problems should be minor Deer may browse on shoot tips 21 2 Shoots on 1 st year vine 22 11

12 2 nd Season Training Dormant pruning is light and quick Forming vine s structure is primary goal Fruit is not a goal and will mostly be dropped Weeds must be controlled Fungal and insect problems might appear Trellis must be completed before shoots lengthen 23 Vine in the 2 nd Season 24 12

13 3 rd Season Training Dormant pruning begins to take more time A small harvest is possible this year Must have a good spray program ready Fungal Diseases and Insects Black Rot, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Phomopsis, Anthracnose Flea Beetles, Phylloxera, Japanese Beetles Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide Vine in the 3 rd Season 26 13

14 Beyond 3 rd Season Develop a yearly work cycle Dormant pruning Tying Bud Break Suckering and Shoot Thinning Shoot Positioning Leaf and Lateral Shoot Removal Shoot Trimming Weed Control Fungal and Insect Sprays Fertilizing?? Mowing Netting and Animal Control Tracking Fruit Ripening Harvest April September 10 hr/week/acre 27 Narrow Fruit Zone 28 14

15 Keys to Success Each Viticultural Practice must be performed timely and in the correct order Mechanizing some tasks will reduce hourly labor inputs Economy of size helps here Learn to promote open canopies with good airflow dormant pruning sets this tone Allow every shoot to achieve 15 mature leaves (nodes) to ripen 2-3 clusters and wood 29 Keys to Success Keep vines in balance at every particular site The weather will impact a vineyard s performance from year to year Good vine care should yield high quality fruit Fruit tailored to the winery s liking will be rewarded The Best Fertilizer is the Farmer s Footsteps! 30 15

16 Acknowledgements Dr. Jim Luby, Professor, Chair of Fruit Breeding Program, U of MN Peter Hemstad, Scientist, Grape Breeder, U of MN Vineyard Establishment References: Dr. Thomas Zabadal, Michigan State University Dr. Paul Domoto, Iowa State University 31 Questions 32 16