Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
In cold winter regions in Canada, icewine has become a specialty, and it's pos-
sible to make it in a home vineyard. Choose a white grape like Riesling or Vidal
and let the grapes hang on the vine until they are frozen. Netting protects them
from hungry birds.
→ Prune as late in the dormant season as possible.
→ One specialty that is possible in colder climates is icewine. This wine is made by al-
lowing ripe wine grapes to freeze naturally on the vine. The grapes then are picked
by hand when temperatures are 9°F to 18°F (-8° to -13°C). This allows the correct
level of sugar and flavor. Do not expect to produce a lot of wine, perhaps only a
bottle per vine, but the wine is very sweet and golden rich.
Tips for Hot-Summer Climates
In areas where summer temperatures often reach above 95°F (35°C), such as inland
deserts in California and the Southwest, I would consider the following:
→ Plant varieties that tolerate heat and still develop well-balanced wine, such as reds
like Syrah, Tempranillo, and Verdelho, and whites like Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc,
and Chenin Blanc.
→ Orient the rows east-west so that the sun passes over the top of the vines.
→ Don't pull the leaves on the 'afternoon' side of your rows. Too much leaf pulling
can cause sunburn.
→ Consider alternatives to the VSP trellis. There are some trellis designs that promote
shade.
→ Irrigate more near harvest time to slow the ripening of the grapes.
Tips for Short-Summer Climates
In cooler climates that have a shorter growing season and many overcast days, you will
need to concentrate on getting fruit to ripen. This is an issue for vineyards in places like the
Pacific Northwest, where late summer rains, fog, and cloudy days are common.
→ Choose the warmest possible spot, such as a south-facing slope for your vineyard.
→ Orient the rows north-south to maximize the amount of sunlight.
