Overview of Wine Grape Project at WSU

– Mount Vernon2000- 2004

G.A. Moulton

WSU - Mount Vernon

Program Objectives

Select the right varieties and rootstocks for local conditions

Maximize use of cultural practices to enhance quality

Evaluate resulting wines from promising varieties

Progress to date

A number of promising cultivars (both white and red) have been identified

Rootstocks that promote earlier ripening in our soil and climate conditions have been identified

Certain cultural and canopy management practices have been adopted that contribute to improved ripening

Site Selection

Well drained Southerly or southwest

slope Light (sandy) soils are

preferable

Know the heat units

at your siteMeasured from April 1

to October 31, base 50 degrees

Avatel

Take a good

soil sample 0”-8” top soil 8”-16” subsoil

Soil Fertility Guidelines(based on W. Stiles)

Preplant Established Leaf Test

Ca 67% CEC 58% 1.2-1.6

Mg 13% CEC 12% 0.3-0.5

K 200 ppm + 200 ppm + 1.8-2.0

P At least 40# same 0.1-0.4

B 1-2 ppm 1-2 ppm 25-50 ppm

Zn 2 ppm 2 ppm 20-60 ppm

Cu 2 ppm 2 ppm 6-40 ppm

Mn 5 ppm 5 ppm 25-100 ppm

Timely application of micronutrients

is important

Zn – apply about 2 weeks before and after bloom to promote full berry clusters

B – apply at bloom time (with botrytis spray) for increased fruit set

Varieties & Rootstocks

Try to obtain certified virus free stock wherever possible

Be sure that both rootstock and variety are free of phylloxera

Most Promising Rootstocks

Millardet et de Grasset 101-14

Couderc 3309Millardet et de Grasset

420A

Comparison of harvest results of Pinot Noir on selected rootstocks

Stock brix pH Titr. Acid

Cluster size

Yield/

plant

Self 19.8 A 3.1 A 1.30 A 181 A 11.0 A

101-14 20.5 A 3.2 A 0.99 B 158 B 10.3 A

420A 20.7 A 3.2 A 1.00 B 183 A 9.7 A

C3309 21.0 A 3.3 A 1.00 B 147 B 7.3 B

Effects of rootstock differences

All rootstocks had lower TA levels than self rooted; table shows those where differences were statistically significant.

All had higher pH than self rooted but differences did not reach 5% level of significance except for 5BB.

All had higher brix readings than self rooted but did not reach 5% level of significant difference.

Cluster weight varied and some differences were significant. The biggest difference was between C3309 and 5C.

Both 101-14 and 420A had lower titratable acid and higher brix than self rooted, though yields were statistically the same.

Promising Red Varieties

AgriaDornfelderDunkelfelderGaranoirGolubokLeon Millot

Muscat of Norway

Pinot Noir (clones)

RegentZweigelt

Agria Harvest 10/05Brix 18.1 TA 0.87

Muscat of Norway

Harvest 10/06Brix 18.5 T.A 0.90

Garanoir

Harvest 10/06Brix 17.4 TA 0.96

Leon Millot Harvest 10/09Brix 20.6 TA 0.90

Regent

Harvest 10/13Brix 19.6 TA 0.89

DunkelfelderHarvest 10/18Brix 20.2 TA 1.10

Golubok

Harvest 10/18 Brix 21.7 TA 1.25

Zweigelt

Harvest 10/18Brix 18.4 TA 0.98

Dornfelder

Harvest 10/23Brix 17.6 TA 0.89

Pinot Noir

Harvest 10/27Brix 20.5 TA 1.13

Promising White Varieties

BurmunkIskorkaMadeleine

AngevineOptimaOrtega

Pinot GrisReichensteinerSchonburgerSiegerrebeSylvaner

Burmunk

Harvest 10/03 Brix 23.2 TA 0.98

OrtegaHarvest 10/03 Brix 20.6 TA 0.91

Iskorka

Harvest 10/03Brix 20.2 TA 0.71

Madeleine Angevine

Harvest 10/03Brix 19.0 TA 0.82

Schonburger

Harvest 10/03Brix 19.5 TA 0.66

Siegerrebe Harvest 10/06Brix 19.5 TA 0.60

Harvest 10/06Brix 19.6 TA 0.94

Reichensteiner

Optima

Harvest 10/06Brix 18.3 TA 1.01

Pinot Gris

Harvest 10/09Brix 19.4 TA 1.04

Sylvaner

Harvest 10/13Brix 16.8 TA 0.90

Good cultural practices

bring young grape plants into early

production

Establish a strong vigorous vine by the end of the first year’s growing season

Prune newly planted grape vine to 2 buds

New Planting

Prune new plant to 2 budsIn spring, select strongest new shootTrain & tie to stake, pinching out any side shootsDormant season – bend & tie to wire

Select the strongest shoot to train to the wire and pinch off other side shoots

Tie or tape shoot to stake as it grows and when it reaches the wire

Monitor soil moisture using irrometers

Drought stress aggravates nutrient deficiency, especially potash

Stress shuts down photosynthesis

Severe stress causes leaf drop

Pest Control

DiseasesInsectsWeedsVertebrate Pests

Pinot Noir Cultural Studies

Cluster thinning

Plastic row shield

Pinot Noir 2A1 cluster/shoot vs. 2 clusters/shoot

Clusters/shoot

Wt/cluster

Lbs./plant

Tons/A.

Brix T. A.

1 198 gms A 6.8 B 2.5 B 20.7 A 1.14 A

2 161 gms B 11.2 A 4.0 A 20.4 A 1.14 A

Row spacing at 10 x 6. 1. Yield of vines with 2 clusters/shoot averaged 38% higher than plots with 1 cluster. 2. No significant difference was found between the treatments in measurement of pH, brix, or titratable acid.

Plastic row shield applied in April

Advanced bloom by approximately 2 weeks

Developed earlier color

Advanced fruit maturity

Pinot Noir on 8/29/03Plastic (L), No plastic (R)

Harvest – balancing fruit maturity and weather factors

Coordinate harvest schedules with the winemaker

Crusher-destemmer in operation

Hydraulic press in operation

Help from volunteers is greatly appreciated,

especially at harvest time

Future Trial Objectives- Cultivars & Rootstocks

Test some of the top rated varieties on the 3 best performing rootstocks

Evaluate several promising early ripening Pinot Noir clones on the 3 best performing rootstocks

Future Trial Objectives- Cultural

Conduct a trial of vines planted at different spacings to determine the optimum conditions for best yield and quality

Develop a standard methodology for wine evaluation and enlist local wine makers as evaluators/cooperators

Wine Cooperators 2003

Tom Bronkema, Wine ConsultantTom Thornton, Cloud Mountain FarmLopez Island Winery – Brent Charnley San Juan Vineyards – Kurt NiznikVashon Island Winery – Ron IrvineCarpenter Creek Winery – Jeff

HammerPasek Cellars – Gene PasekChuck Jackson, Boeing Wine Club

Wine Cooperators 2003, cont.

Steve & Susan OlsenLou HollersBob TombsSteven MohnsLynne IrelanJim HaackSteve WilburBill SwartzMegan RutherfordPete Bradley

Photography:J. King and G.H. SpitlerWSU-Mount Vernon