Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user6823 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:08:42 GMT

Augie, I approach soil type as it affects vine vigor, water availability, nutrient balance, etc., so in that sense, soil type is the basis of decisions, but mainly in how it now it affects vine growth and development--soil type affect on wine flavor independent of vine growth is part of terroir, but not really a viticultural parameter, unless it is something that can be managed, like high potassium effect on wine pH, in which case we might add lime or gypsum. To answer your other question, favorite soil types are alluvial fans--also called benchland--deep, well drained, lots of nutrients but lower in vigor, make wine with good balance of structure and aromatics.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user3266 — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:38:12 GMT

Also, what is your favorite/most challenging vineyard/vintage to work with?

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user3266 — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:37:31 GMT

Great Article. Having just read the soil for sommeliers article, I would be tempted to ask how much soil type plays into your viticulture regime, or if more or less the focus is vine vigor, and that may depend on soil type, but the soil type isn't the basis of the decisions???

[tag:notsureifthat]'sactuallyaquestion

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:24:57 GMT

Thank you Steve!

This is a fantastic, and wonderfully clear explanation of these vineyard practices. I have attended the vineyard management classes at UC Davis extension, and read books, but this was so clear, practical and enjoyable.

Thank you.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:38:20 GMT

Wonderful!

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user4242 — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 08:24:14 GMT

Thanks for your post. I am looking forward to the late summer/harvest follow-up. Best of luck in your growing season.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user2681 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:25:39 GMT

Steve: thanks for the article and taking the time to lay out the steps, it is very helpful. Hope Mother nature has been kind this year and that post harvest vacation is in line.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user6691 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 01:07:46 GMT

Steve; I just got to finish reading this. It's so thorough and so SO helpful for understanding exactly how this part of the year affects the entire vintage and final quality of the wine. Thanks for sharing--especially during your busiest time of the year!

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user6823 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:02:28 GMT

Hi Joshua, good luck with harvest this fall! Come look us up on your day off!

Great analogy Yoon. There is so much detail that goes on behind the scenes, and it's not written down anywhere--viticulture is truly apprenticeship-based--and it's such an ancient discipline.

Thanks for your appreciation Carlos! This is truly a passion, and it's an honor to be able to share it.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user5346 — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:37:09 GMT

Steve, I cannot express how much I appreciate your writings on viticulture. They are incredibly instructive for someone what is not directly involved in the process. Unlike traditional texts, they make the subject come alive. Thank you.

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user2132 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:23:22 GMT

Great work Steve! Your piece reminds of earlier this year when a guest ordered a 1999 and a 2003 of the same wine from site from the same producer. Upon tasting them side by side, he asked me which I preferred. I told him that the '99 suited my taste better, but given the context of the two vintages, that the '03 was the greater achievement.

If I may also use an analogy (I promise it will not be risque). If the face side of a Swiss watch can be referred to as the vintage - with its Roman numerals, second/minute/hour hands, moon phase feature, etc., then your work here, Steve, is the glass sapphire back side of the watch. It reveals the intricate, minutely detailed movements that further our understanding of the face side. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Yoon

RE: Spring and Early Summer Canopy Management: Winemaking in the Vineyards

user6379 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 05:19:43 GMT

This has been a really helpful source of information, thank you very much Steve. As I look forward to attending harvest at

Vincent Arroyo in Calistoga this fall, this information will be reviewed again and provides great insight into how much goes

into vineyard management.