5. Vineyard Establishment Flashcards
What are the three factors involved in the establishment of a vineyard?
- Site selection
- Soil preparation
- Planting material
What kind of site is ideal for producing high volume, inexpensive or mid-priced wines? Why?
A flat, fertile site in a warm, dry climate may be ideal.
- The fertile soils and plentiful warmth (plus the option of irrigation) may mean high yields of grapes can be ripened adequately.
- The dry climate may reduce the incidence of fungal diseases, which in turn could save money on fungicide spraying and grape sorting in the winery.
- Flat land also allows for mechanisation, which can be quicker and cheaper, especially for large vineyards.
What is the aim in site selection for producing premium or super-premium wines?
Obtaining healthy grapes of the optimum composition (considering levels of sugar, acidity, colour, tannins and aroma compounds) for the style being made will be a priority, rather than keeping costs as low as possible.
For example, a site with good aspect and exposure is ideal to aid ripening in cool climates.
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What logistical, legal and cost factors need to be considered in site selection?
- The price of the land
- Rules associated with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
- The location, layout and topography of the land and the cost implications; if a site is susceptible to certain hazards and pests, it will cost more to protect the vineyard.
- Steep slopes; not suitable for mechanisation, manual labour required
- Irrigation; cost of equipment and water source
- Ease of access to the vineyard site and distance from the winery
- Proximity to towns and cities (for supplies, labour, sales).
What is the risk of declassification in a protected designation of origin (PDO)?
A producer investing in expensive PDO land with the intention of creating a wine that does not meet the rules (and therefore will be declassified) is taking a business risk and not likely to get an appropriate return on investment.
What are the main factors a grower needs to consider and possibley rectify in preparing the soil for a new vineyard?
- Drainage and structure of the soil
- Its mineral composition
- The presence of pests or unwanted plants
- In some cases, the topography of the vineyard may be modified.
In nearly all cases, rectifying any problems at this stage is easier than when the new vines are planted.
When establishing a vineyard, what may need to be done to improve a soil’s structure?
- Very large rocks at or near the surface may be removed
- Breaking down of a plough pan if land has been previously used for agriculture
What is a plough pan?
An impervious layer of soil that may be formed from years of ploughing at the same depth
How is a plough pan broken down?
Subsoiling
Deep tillage, loosening and breaking up the soil
What are the aims of subsoiling/tillage?
- Breaking up a plough pan if present
- Promotes better drainage
- Makes soil easier to cultivate
Why is it important to remove old roots from a vineyard before planting new vines?
Old roots must be burnt as they can harbour disease
What is ploughing?
Turning over the surface layer of the soil and burying it
What can be applied to the soil to increase nutrients and organic matter before establishing a vineyard?
Farmyard manure, compost and fertilisers
What can be added to the soil if it too acidic?
Lime (a calcium-based substance) can be spread on the soil and then ploughed in. (Lime just applied to the soil surface can take a long time to have any effect.)
Give an example of how the topography of the land has been changed in order to establish a vineyard?
In the Douro Valley, Portugal, terraces have been formed to support viticulture on the very steep slopes.
