This series of lectures covers all aspects of wine grape production from vineyard planting, growing, canopy management, mineral nutrition, irrigation management, as well as mechanical practices that aid growers with the daily operations. Chapters on Cultivated Grapevine, Environmental Interactions, Vineyard Management and In-season Management reveal the best management practices as prepared and recorded by the University of California GRAPES Workgroup. Lectures were recorded February 12-15, 2019.
1. THE CULTIVATED GRAPEVINE
This chapter provides an overview of the grapevine that we grow for human consumption. The topics in this chapter provides a review of the anatomy, morphology and the physiology of the cultivated grapevines.
A. Annual Vegetative and Reproductive Cycles of Grapevines
The vegetative and reproductive cycles of the grapevine are presented using easy to follow figures, differentiating the phenological time points in which the grapevine grows vegetative tissue or reproductive tissue.
Slides
- Dr. Matthew Fidelibus, Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Viticulture, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
B. Flowering and fruiting of grapevine
The reproductive cycle, from dormancy of primary bud to harvest is presented using easy to follow figures. A special section of fruiting explains the use of Plant Growth Regulators on how to manipulate the berry size for commercial table grape growers.
Slides
- Dr. Ashraf El-Kereamy, Director of Lindcove REC and UCCE Specialist
C. Water Relations of Grapevines
Hydric relations, from the rhizosphere to the atmosphere are explained using easy to follow figures. Hydraulic lift from the root zone, through the vascular system into the leaf is explained. A brief introduction to grapevine irrigation is presented in the end.
Slides
- Dr. Andrew McElrone, Associate Adjunct Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
D. Spacing and trellis selection
Vineyard installation for cultivating grapevines in vineyards is presented. Trellis types such as split or single plane canopies, spacing considerations for equipment access as well yield optimization is presented.
Slides
- Larry Bettiga, Viticulture Farm Advisor | UC Cooperative Extension
E. Cultivar and clone considerations
A lecture presenting information on how and why to select certain cultivars over others. A special section of lecture delivers information on the economics of these selections and an introduction to autochthonous cultivars from hot climate regions.
Slides
- Glenn McGourty, Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor, Emeritus | UC Cooperative Extension
F. Site suitability: Evaluation of climatic, water and soil factors
This lecture aims to provide information on how to evaluate a prospective vineyard site for planting from climatic, hydric and soil factors. This lecture aims to provide information on how to evaluate a prospective vineyard site for planting from climatic, hydric and soil factors.
Slides
- Mark Battany, Area Viticulture Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
G. Strategies for managing frost
For sites that are prone to radiative frost events, passive and active frost prevention strategies are presented.
Slides
- Mark Battany, Area Viticulture Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
H. Kinetics of Ripening in Grape Berry
Grape berry physiology, from set to harvest is discussed with specific examples of flavonoid accumulation and degradation in the grape berry. The primary metabolism of the grape berry is presented.
Slides
- Dr. Kaan Kurtural, Associate Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
2. ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS
This chapter explains the interactions with the environment. Topics in this chapter explain heat waves, soil pedology, amendments, replanting an existing vineyard and rootstock selection from a grower’s point of view.
A. Environmental grapevine physiology and effects of climate change on grapevine
This lecture explains the response of grapevines to water deficits and the overexposure of grape clusters to solar radiation in context of climate change. Special attention is paid to canopy and berry heat loads.
Slides
- Dr. Kaan Kurtural, Associate Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
B. How to Select Rootstocks
This lecture explains the history and parentage of commercially available rootstocks, as well as current breeding efforts underway at University of California Davis.
Slides
- Dr. Andy Walker, Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
C. Soil assessment and pre-plant amendments
This lecture delves into soil types, textures, explains spatial variability of soil water content as well as using soil amendments to correct deficiencies.
- Dr. Luca Brillante, Assistant Professor of Viticulture, Fresno State University
D. Redeveloping Vineyards - What to consider
This lectures explains the Dos and Don’ts of redeveloping vineyards from row orientation, trellis selection, soil preparation and amendment addition.
Slides
- Rhonda Smith, Viticulture Farm Advisor, Emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension
E. Mechanical Harvesting - Tools of the Trade
This lecture goes into detail about mechanical harvesting of wine grapes, machinery types, picking systems and quality concerns.
Slides
- Dr. Kaan Kurtural, Associate Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
F. Climate change, grape ripening, and overexposure
This lecture explains the changes in the climate and what can be expected by the growers when greenhouse gases combined with drought conditions.
- Dr. Johann Martinez, Post-Doc, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
G. Introduction to Soil Health
This lecture introduces the topic of soil health, and what growers can do to ascertain that their vineyard soils remain healthy and productive.
Slides
- Glenn McGourty, Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor, Emeritus | UC Cooperative Extension
- Mark Battany, Area Viticulture Advisor | UC Cooperative Extension
3. VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
This chapter is about managing the vineyard from selection of plants to plant in the vineyard to making sure you have a healthy and economically viable crop.
A. Vine Selection and Establishment
This lecture explains how to select the correct grapevines for planting and how best to establish them in the field.
Slides
- Larry Bettiga, Viticulture Farm Advisor | UC Cooperative Extension
B. Practical Considerations for Canopy Management
This lecture explains the physiological basis for managing canopies with practical examples of leaf size and crop size matches to make the best yielding crop with utmost quality.
Slides
- Dr. Kaan Kurtural, Associate Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
C. Mechanical Management Tasks in the Vineyards
This lecture goes through the steps of mechanically managing wine grape vineyards. Topics are dormant pruning, shoot removal, leaf removal and crop load management using mechanical canopy management tools.
Slides
- Dr. Kaan Kurtural, Associate Specialist, Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
D. Vineyard air-assisted sprayers: selection and calibration
This lecture explains to growers the basic working principle of air-assisted sprayers, how to select one, how best to calibrate one to get the most useful use out of them.
Slides
- Lynn Wunderlich, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
4. IN-SEASON MANAGEMENT
This chapter explains methods and tools for irrigation scheduling, mineral nutrition of grapevines, remote sensing of vine nutrition, disease, insect and weed management in vineyards.
A. Methods and Tools for Irrigation Scheduling
This lecture explains the basis of evapotranspiration and how it can be measured using a tools at growers’ disposal. The lecture also instructs growers how they can then calculate crop coefficients for deficit irrigation in the grapevine.
Slides
- Dr. Daniele Zaccaria, Associate Agricultural Water Management Specialist, Land, Air & Water Resources, UC Cooperative Extension
B. Mineral Nutrition of Grapevines
Growers learn about the physiology of grapevine nutrition to make the most economically viable yield using commercially available fertilizers.
Slides
- Dr. Larry E. Williams, Professor & Plant Physiologist, Emeritus, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
C. Fungal Diseases
The growers learn about the life cycle of fungal disease that affect grapevine health and quality.
Slides
- Dr. Akif Eskalen, Plant Pathologist, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist
D. Insect pests of the grapevine
Growers learn about the insect pests of the grapevine that affect longevity of vineyards and how they can be controlled.
Slides
- Dr. Lucia Varela, North Coast IPM Advisor, Emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension
E. Vineyard Weed Management and Covercrops
The growers learn about weed control in vineyards as well as cover crop management options.
Slides
- John Roncoroni, Weed Science Farm Advisor, Emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension