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