Chapter 5 Vineyard Establishment

Question 1

Define Site selection

Answer 1

Site selection is one of the decisions that will affect the growing environment, an therefore the style, quality and the price of the wine.

Question 2

What factors have to be taken into account for site selection?

Answer 2

• Expected yield and style/quality of grapes
• Price of the land
• Layout and topography: Steep slopes, threats (eg frosts)
• Need for irrigation
• Ease of acces and distance to the winery and towns (labor, supplies,…)
• Laws and regulations for grape growing and wine making

Question 3

Define Terroir

Answer 3

How differences in the:
- soil type
- slope
- aspect
- drainage

affect the style and quality of the wine produced.

A sense of place translated into wine characteristics.

Question 4

How terroir affects style and quality?

Answer 4

Climate, soil type and drainage, aspect but also winemaking (eg planting density…) and grapegrowing. More important in single vineyards wines.

Question 5

Define Soil preparation

Answer 5

When the soil of a new vineyard is evaluated.

This leads to possible changes in structure of the soil, drainage, mineral composition and removal of pests or unwanted plants.

The topography and presence of large rocks also can be changed.

Question 6

What can be done as part of soil preparation?

Answer 6

• Subsoiling (breaking down an impervious layer of soil due to previous agriculture) to change Root penetration, water drainage, nutrient holding capacity and workability
• removing and burning of old roots and constructing terraces to provide flat land in extreme cases.

Question 7

How Soil preparation increases the levels of nutrients and organic matter of the soil?

Answer 7

• Addition of manure, compost and fertilizers.
• Adjustement of pH levels by adding and ploughing in lime calcium-based substance

Question 8

Define Young vines

Answer 8

Approx 5 years old.

Question 9

How does Young vines affect style and quality?

Answer 9

Young vines produce low yields because the root system is not fully developed. Some growers remove inflorescences in favor of root grow for the first year. (Some GI restrict the use of fruit from very young vines)

Question 10

Define Old Vines

Answer 10

Very old vines are 50 years or more. (10 to 40 years is the maximum yields depending on variety and environmental conditions)

Question 11

How does Old vines affect style and quality?

Answer 11

Lower yields and decrease vigour. It is considered that older vine produce better quality fruit because:

vine better adpated to the environment, lower yields = more concentration, more old wood = bigger carbohydrates stores, older vines are in better locations = better fruit.

Question 12

What rootstock would be appropriate in a vineyard with nematode issues?

Answer 12

Dog Ridge, Ramsey

Question 13

What rootstock is best for a site that has low annual rainfall levels and acidic, rocky soil?

Answer 13

110R, 140R

Question 14

What rootstock is best for a site has chalky limestone soil?

Answer 14

41B

Question 15

What rootstock is best for a site that located on a fertile valley floor and the client wants to encourage low yields?

Answer 15

420A, 3309C

Question 16

What rootstock is best for a site that has a heavy clay-based soil that will likely retain water?

Answer 16

Riparia Gloire

Question 17

What rootstock is best for a site that has sandy soils that would inhibit phylloxera but will require drip irrigation?

Answer 17

110R, 140R