Vineyard Underground

Do you know what to prioritize in each stage of the growing season? In this episode, we broke down the priorities with vineyard management expert Matt Doyle based on the three main phases: bud burst through bloom, fruit set through veraison, and veraison through harvest. Listen in for a detailed overview of what growers should pay attention to during each stage for a successful growing season. In...

Since we are nearing the end of 2024, this episode is a light-hearted conversation between four viticulture friends. As some of you may know, I started my career in viticulture in 1999. Three of my friends also began their grape growing journey that same year: Erin Amaral, Paul Crout, and Randy Heinzen. In this episode, I'm joined by Erin, Paul, and Randy for a conversation about our experiences i...

Custom crush facilities are becoming a popular choice for grape growers who want to make wine without the hefty investment of building a full-scale winery. In this episode, industry experts Ryan Horn from Vintner's Vault and Greg Stokes from Ursa Vineyards and Bending Branch Winery share insights on this topic. Listen in for an overview of what a custom crush is, who it is for, and how much you ca...

Late season vineyard management is important for preparing your vineyard between harvest and dormancy, or whenever the ground freezes, depending on your location. In this episode, we cover each of the three main areas this period focuses on: compost application, vineyard floor management, and dormant season spraying. Listen in for late season vineyard management tips on composting, cover crops, an...

Ever wonder if removing leaves from young vines speeds up their growth? Spoiler alert: it doesn't. In this episode, we put five grape growing myths to bed and give you the clarity you need to nurture a thriving vineyard. Listen in to learn what the top five misheard grape growing concepts are – and find out if you are guilty of any of them.  Whether you're a newbie grower or a seasoned pro, be pre...

In this episode, we have a conversation on modern powdery mildew management with an expert on the subject, Dr. Michelle Moyer. A plant pathologist by training, Dr. Moyer is a professor and viticulture extension specialist at Washington State University. She has worked on the East Coast and the West Coast, helping people understand disease and pest pressures in their vineyards. Although the pressur...

The Virginia wine industry has experienced a phenomenal transformation over the past three decades, largely attributed to the efforts of dedicated individuals like Dr. Tony Wolf. From a mere six wineries in 1980, Virginia now boasts a $1.5 billion industry with over 300 wineries. In this episode, Dr. Wolf discusses what it was like when the wine industry began in Virginia in the 1980s, what challe...

This episode is part two of our conversation with Kevin Ker of Brock University's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. We continue discussing cold climate vineyard management and how to help cold damaged vines thrive for years. Dr. Ker shares strategies for site establishment, seasonal management practices, and methods for assessing and renewing grapevines after winter damage. Join us...

Growing grapes in a cold climate presents unique challenges that are often more about dealing with winter injury than the growing season itself. According to Dr. Kevin Ker from Brock University's Cool Climate Enology and Viticulture Institute, the temperatures outside the growing season are what set cold climate viticulture apart. Ensuring vines live for 25 years rather than just five to seven yea...

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Niner, President of Niner Wine Estates, and Craig Macmillan, their Critical Resource Manager, to discuss sustainable vineyard management. The episode covers innovative water and soil management techniques, including rainwater capture, advanced monitoring tools, composting, and mechanical weed management. We also go over pest and disease management and what re...

We are back with everyone's favorite kind of episode – a Q&A! This time, we are answering questions about harvest time. Questions came in from all over, including North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and even Portugal. Listen in to learn about irrigation post-harvest, late-season strategies, issues with high titratable acidity, and more. As harvest season approaches, remember that we're here to provide...

In this episode, we dive into Arizona's unique wine scene with a panel of guests: Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Kent Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards, and Pavle Milic of Los Milics Vineyards. Arizona's vineyards face a unique set of challenges, including extreme shifts in weather, from scorching heat to freezing temperatures, alongside hail, monsoons, and droughts. Despite these difficult...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Luca Paschina, the estate director and winemaker for Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia. A third-generation winemaker from Alba, Italy, Luca has worked in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Napa, and the Finger Lakes before settling in Virginia, where he expanded Barboursville Vineyards from 38 to 180 acres. Integrating Italian, French, and other grape varieti...

In the cycle of vineyard management, every season brings its unique set of challenges and opportunities. As we navigate past fruit set but not quite at veraison, our focus should pivot to protecting and enhancing the quality of the fruit that is already on the vines. This period demands precise interventions to ensure the health and quality of our crops. In this episode, Fritz shares the six key a...

In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Markus Keller of Washington State University on the advances in vineyard nutrition monitoring. Dr. Keller shares his extensive knowledge of the importance of nutrient management in viticulture, drawing from his rich background and current research. We discuss strategies for regulated deficit nutrition management, winter survival tactics, emerging te...

Join us in this episode with Dr. Mark Krasnow, an acclaimed plant physiologist and the founder of Thoughtful Viticulture. From the landscapes of New Zealand, Dr. Krasnow takes us on a journey from budding winemaker to viticulture expert. Although we could discuss many topics with him, this discussion focuses on crop regulation and fruit thinning strategies.  Many vineyard management techniques are...

In this episode, we are back with another Q&A with my friend Jim Duane of Inside Winemaking. Back in episode 42, we answered some great listener questions about preparing your property, getting started in grape growing, managing pests, etc. We had so many questions pour in that we needed to make this a two-part series. To learn more about Jim and hear the first batch of questions, please jump back...

In this episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Marcelo Moretti on some best practices for vineyard floor management. We discuss integrated weed management strategies, the use of organic herbicides, and the implementation of cover crops to promote vine health and combat weeds. Dr. Moretti also shares the challenges and advantages of various non-traditional methods, including the use of traditional...

The first few months as a new grower can be the most nerve-wracking time of vineyard management. Everything is brand new and a little intimidating. Even a bug on a plant can be enough to raise an alarm because you simply don't know if it's going to ravage your vineyard or not. Viticulture consultant, Mark Chien joins me today to talk about surviving and thriving in the first few months after vine...

In this episode, our guest Randy Heinzen, a vine management and vineyard business expert, discusses vine planting and site preparation for new vineyards or for existing growers looking to add new vineyard blocks. Randy, the owner and president of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) in Paso Robles, CA, is a leading global expert in vineyard management.  Listen in for an educational episode full of...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of having a Q&A session with Jim Duane from Inside Winemaking. Jim has always been interested in winemaking and has been working in Napa Valley for over 20 years. Together, we are answering top questions submitted by listeners. We answer questions pertaining to replacing dead vines, digging in hardpan, natural pesticide use, and many, many more. Listen in as we...

Is your vineyard irrigated? If so, then this episode is for you! Dr. Franklin Gaudi, executive vice president of design for Laurel Ag & Water, is on the show to discuss the often-overlooked topic of irrigation distribution uniformity (DU). Distribution uniformity measures how evenly water gets applied to the field, and it's a topic that's not taken as seriously as it should be.  DU can make or bre...

The future of viticulture is evolving as the focus on sustainable agriculture improves and the search for environmentally friendly solutions becomes a priority. One of the most exciting areas in this sustainable revolution is the use of agricultural biologicals. Biologics are not new to the agricultural scene, but their potential is now being more fully realized in both conventional and organic vi...

A common conversation in vineyard management is knowing how to spray your vineyard effectively. On today's episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Andrew Landers, who wrote the book on vineyard spraying. He brings more than 30 years of research and development on vineyard and orchard spraying technologies and techniques to share with us. In this episode, we discuss various tools and techniques to...

Do you understand pruning wounds, infections of pruning wounds, and how to protect your vines? Grapevine pruning is an essential vineyard management practice that helps maintain plant health and fruit quality. However, this practice also exposes vines to various fungal diseases that can be detrimental to vineyard health. It's important to know how to prevent harm and promote recovery if your vines...