WEATHER OUTLOOK and TOOLS

Long Range Outlook… Growers are probably wondering if this upcoming rainy season will be a benefit to the water picture for 2017. Present long range outlooks are calling for a weak La Nina to develop over the waters of the Equatorial Eastern Pacific this fall...

MAKING VINEYARD MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

At the most basic level, business management involves setting goals, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.  Vineyard management, of course, is more complicated than this, especially given large amounts of borrowed capital, increasing regulations,...

FRUIT SET FACTORS

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2016.  BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. Fruit set is the process in which flowers become fruit and potential fruit size is determined.  It occurs after pollen is released from male flower parts (anthers), lands on receptive female flower parts (stigmas),...

EVALUATING VINEYARD SOILS IN TRENCHES

We winegrape growers invest great efforts in managing canopies, crops, and other vineyard attributes above ground. In comparison, our efforts below ground are often nominal. And yet, the vineyard below ground is essential to the success and long-term viability of our...