Vineyard Management

Vine Training: Vine training protocols for cane, cordon, buried or unburied vines will be developed to fit the needs of the area’s climate and the recommended vine configurations using both hand or mechanized equipment and practices.

Vineyard Disease Management: Vineyard spray schedules for growing and dormant season applications of the softest fungicides, insecticides and other control measures available will be developed. In conjunction with disease risk models generated from on site weather data, a sustainable and integrated pest management program will be adopted.

Vineyard Fertilization: Vine nutritional needs will be considered based on soil data, age of vines, production and quality goals. The appropriate timing and application methods will be used to provide the most economical and effective additions. Long term soil sustainability and organic matter goals will be incorporated.

Vineyard Irrigation: Vine water needs and applications are critical to both fruit quality and vineyard sustainability. Vine observations as well as soil moisture and vine water status sensors can be employed to direct irrigation in the most effective manner.

Vineyard Canopy Management: Fruit exposure and light penetration to leaves and developing buds are necessary for optimum fruit ripening and maintaining long term fruit production and vine balance. A physiological based approach to canopy adjustments will be used for such practices as suckering, shoot thinning, leafing and shoot positioning.

Vineyard Crop Quality and Yield Assessment: Assessment will help strive for the optimal crop loads for the vineyard’s desired production and wine quality goals. Necessary adjustments in pruning, fertilization, irrigation and thinning will be used to achieve those goals.