Vineyard Underground

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 prepared because your vineyard management practices might be turned on its head!

In this episode, you will hear:

• What happens when you remove leaves off young vines

• The importance of mature leaves in carbohydrate production and young vine training

• Whether competition from undervine crops is a good or bad thing

• Strategic use of fertilizers and risks of excessive nitrogen and potassium

• Pruning tips: timing, pre-pruning, and managing labor efficiently

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

Schedule your 15-minute FREE vineyard help call with Fritz for the week of December 9th at www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/call. 

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Access over 50 FREE topical vineyard Grower Guides and videos from Fritz at www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides.

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Sunridge Nurseries for sponsoring today’s episode. Sunridge Nurseries is the exclusive nursery sponsor of the Vineyard Underground podcast. They have been a family-owned company for over 45 years and their dedicated focus on quality and consistency has grown them into the largest supplier of grapevines in both North and South America and the industry leader in nursery standards. Visit them today at SunridgeNurseries.com and mention the code Underground to receive a podcast listener discount on your vine order.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 pressures are different on each side of the country, the principles are the same. Whether you are new or experienced in grape growing, you will gain valuable information from this episode with Dr. Moyer.

Listen in to learn about modern powdery mildew management so you can prevent an outbreak at your vineyard.

In this episode, you will hear:

• What powdery mildew is and how it affects grape vines

• What grape varieties are commonly affected by mildew

• The effect of UV and UVB light on plants with powdery mildew

• Conventional, organic, and biological spray products

• What do you do if you get an outbreak of powdery mildew

• What is the FRAME Network and Dr. Moyer’s role in it

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

Schedule your 15-minute FREE vineyard help call with Fritz for the week of December 9th at www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/call.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Access over 50 FREE topical vineyard Grower Guides and videos from Fritz at www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Michelle Moyer is a Professor & Viticulture Extension Specialist with Washington State University.

Connect with Michelle and view her research: 

• Website: https://wine.wsu.edu/faculty/michelle-moyer/ 

• Email: [email protected] 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to our friends over at SensorInsight for sponsoring today’s episode. SensorInsight is a leader in vineyard soil moisture and weather monitoring.  SensorInsight designs state-of-the-art, remote satellite monitoring of soil moisture and weather, bringing actionable information for your vineyard operations straight to your phone, with real-time data so you can best decide when to turn on your irrigation, how long to run the system, and learn how the dynamics of soil moisture can change over a given season. Visit them today at https://sensorinsight.io. And don’t forget to mention the code Underground to receive a discount on your SensorInsight solution.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 challenges growers faced, and where they saw success. 

Listen in to learn how grape growing has become a booming industry over the past 30 years. 

In this episode, you will hear:

• The challenges Virginia grape growers faced in the 1980s.

• How Dr. Wolf impacted the wine industry in Virginia.

• The growth of canopy management practices, especially VSP.

• What makes vineyards successful in any location.

• What Dr. Wolf would tell himself 25 years ago.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

If you’re starting a vineyard or thinking about starting a vineyard, visit VirtualViticulureAcademy.com/growsmart to get Fritz’s online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course to help you get your vineyard planned and planted correctly from the start. Use the code PODCAST at check out to save $89.00 as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

See the photos of the surprise gift Tony put in the accordion case.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Tony Wolf recently retired from a 36-year-long career at Virginia Tech, where he served as a professor of viticulture and the head of the school’s agricultural extension and research center.

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to our friends over at SensorInsight for sponsoring today’s episode. SensorInsight is a leader in vineyard soil moisture and weather monitoring. SensorInsight designs state-of-the-art, remote satellite monitoring of soil moisture and weather, bringing actionable information for your vineyard operations straight to your phone, with real-time data so you can best decide when to turn on your irrigation, how long to run the system, and learn how the dynamics of soil moisture can change over a given season. Visit them today at https://sensorinsight.io. And don’t forget to mention the code Underground to receive a discount on your SensorInsight solution.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 for part two of our cold climate viticulture conversation and learn how to optimize your vineyard's health and productivity.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Cold climate vineyard management fundamentals.

• Unique advantages of cold climate vineyards and handling cold-damaged vines.

• Techniques for vineyard renewal and fruitful pruning after winter freezes.

• Impact of extreme cold temperatures on vinifera and hybrid grape varieties.

• Various pruning strategies for vineyard recovery.

• Practical advice on sequential renewal and infrastructure reestablishment.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Register for Fritz’s FREE virtual pop-up learning event focused on late season composting and nutrition on Oct 7th from 5-5:45 PM Central time.  VirtualViticultureAcademy.com/popup. Get Fritz’s Prospective Winegrape Grower Course – with over 5 hours of guided video content, this course shows you through examples, illustrations, and more what you need to know to make good decisions from the start for growing a successful vineyard. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to get the course for only $200.00.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Kevin Ker currently works as a research associate for Brock University Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.  Connect with Kevin:

• Website: https://brocku.ca/ccovi/ 

• Email: [email protected] 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Clemens Technologies for sponsoring today’s episode. Clemens Technologies is the market leader in machinery for all elements of vineyard management. Visit https://www.clemens-online.com/us/ and provide the code UNDERGROUND to receive 5% off your order of in-stock machinery. Or reach out to Thomas Clemens directly at [email protected] with any questions.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 years involves strategies and practices specifically for harsh winter conditions.

This episode is part one of our conversation with Dr. Ker. Listen in to learn about managing cold climate vineyards and cold damaged vines.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to establish a vineyard in cold climates and what the core principles of establishing a vineyard are

• Strategies for managing cold climate vineyards

• Impact of winter temperatures, growing degree days, and frost-free days on grape growing

• How to approach fertilization and nutrient management for cold climate vineyards

• Various pruning techniques and how they differ from warmer weather climates

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.  

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Kevin Ker currently works as a research associate for Brock University Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.   Connect with Kevin:

• Website: https://brocku.ca/ccovi/ 

• Email: [email protected]

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vintner’s Vault for sponsoring today’s episode!  Vintner’s Vault was started and is operated by winemakers, so they have the knowledge and experience to help you make an educated decision on the equipment purchases and winery set up and layouts that are best for you. They are the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers, who are also winemakers.

Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 records to keep. Tune in to learn about the economic considerations of sustainable practices, the importance of quality over yield, and tips on improving sustainability in your vineyard operations.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why choose the SIP certification

• How water management has evolved at Niner Wine Estates

• How to incorporate composting into your soil management

• Hands-on materials Niner Wine Estates uses for input

• What pest management looks like in a sustainable vineyard

• The importance of record keeping for your vineyard

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.

Today’s Guest:

Andy Niner is the president of Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles, CA and Craig Macmillan serves as the Critical Resource Manager for Niner Wine Estates. Niner Wine Estates is a near-perfect picture of sustainability with 3 SIP-certified vineyards, a SIP-certified winery, and a LEED Silver Certified and solar-powered tasting room and winery. Niner Wine Estates:

• Website: https://www.ninerwine.com/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninerwine 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninerwineestates/ 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Clemens Technologies for sponsoring today’s episode. Clemens Technologies is the market leader in machinery for all elements of vineyard management. Visit https://www.clemens-online.com/us/ and provide the code UNDERGROUND to receive 5% off your order of in-stock machinery. Or reach out to Thomas Clemens directly at [email protected] with any questions.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 valuable insights and support you as a grape grower. Enjoy the episode and happy harvesting!

In this episode, you will hear:

• If and when to turn off water before harvest to concentrate sugars

• How much to irrigate post-harvest and before dormancy

• Products to use to control late-season downy mildew infections

• Late-season strategies for heat stress protection

• What to do about pale green vines after harvest

• What to do if your berries are splitting

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Resources;

Want Fritz to answer your grape growing questions live? Get a FREE Guest Pass for an upcoming Live Vineyard Advising session and get advice and answers for your specific vineyard questions from Fritz!

Download Fritz’s FREE Young Vine Care – Dormancy Preparation Grower Guide for information on proper irrigation for young vines in the harvest to dormancy period, along with the other considerations for young vines.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vigneron Toy Store for sponsoring today’s episode. Vigneron Toy Store specializes in Harvesters, Sprayers, Frost Mitigation Equipment, Canopy Management Trimmers, and more. And as grape growers themselves, they can expertly help you determine the best equipment for your specific vineyard needs. And, as a special offer for our podcast listeners, you can save 5% off in-stock machines by entering the promo code underground on the contact form at vignerontoystore.com.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 difficulties, our guests share how certain varieties not only survive but thrive, producing outstanding wines that truly capture the essence of Arizona's diversity.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The history of wine and grape growing in Arizona

• Where there was a momentum shift and Arizona wine began growing in popularity

• The difference in the Sonoita to Elgin and Wilcox to Elfrida areas

• The wine varieties our experts like to grow and those they decided not to replant

• The challenges of growing a vineyard in an Arizona climate

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you’re starting a vineyard or thinking about starting a vineyard, visit VirtualViticulureAcademy.com/growsmart to get my online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course to help you get your vineyard planned and planted correctly from the start. Use the code PODCAST at check out to get the course for only $200.00 as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

Today’s Guest:

Kent Callaghan is the founder and owner of the award-winning Callaghan Vineyards in Elgin, AZ.

• Website: https://www.callaghanvineyards.com/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CallaghanVineyards 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callaghanvineyards/ 

Todd Bostock is the owner and winemaker of the beautiful Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Sonoita, AZ.

• Website: https://www.doscabezas.com/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dos.Cabezas 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doscabezas 

Pavle Milic is the co-owner of the award-winning restaurant FnB in Scottsdale and the co-owner and winemaker of Los Milics Vineyards in Elgin, AZ.

• Website: https://losmilicsvineyards.com/ 

• FnB Restaurant: https://www.fnbrestaurant.com/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063532092842 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/losmilicsvineyards 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vintner’s Vault for sponsoring today’s episode! Vintner’s Vault was started and is operated by winemakers, so they have the knowledge and experience to help you make an educated decision on the equipment purchases and winery setup and layouts that are best for you. They are the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers who are also winemakers. Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 varieties and techniques, Luca discusses the challenges of growing Italian grapes like Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Moscato in Virginia's climate and his strategic vineyard management.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Challenges and successes in cultivating Italian grape varieties like Moscato, Barbera, and Nebbiolo in Virginia.

• Techniques and strategies for vineyard management in Virginia's climate.

• The flagship wine of Barboursville Vineyards, Octagon, and its blends.

• The challenges of growing Italian white varietals like Vermentino, Fiano, and Falanghina.

• Comparisons of vineyard practices between Italy and Virginia, including site selection and vine management.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Resources:

Get Fritz’s Prospective Winegrape Grower Course – with over 5 hours of guided video content, this course shows you through examples, illustrations, and more what you need to know to make good decisions from the start for growing a successful vineyard. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to get the course for only $200.00.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Today’s Guest:

Luca Paschina is a third-generation winemaker from Alba, Italy, and is the estate director and winemaker for Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia. Connect with Luca: 

• Barboursville Vineyards Website: https://www.bbvwine.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarboursvilleVineyards/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barboursvillevineyards/ 

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vigneron Toy Store for sponsoring today’s episode. Vigneron Toy Store specializes in Harvesters, Sprayers, Frost Mitigation Equipment, Canopy Management Trimmers, and more. As grape growers themselves, they can expertly help you determine the best equipment for your specific vineyard needs. And, as a special offer for our podcast listeners, you can save 5% off in-stock machines by entering the promo code underground on the contact form at vignerontoystore.com.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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 areas of vineyard management that can easily go awry in this midsummer season and how to avoid those mistakes in your vineyard. Listen in to learn what not to do so you can have a thriving vineyard this summer.

In this episode, you will hear:

• What improper canopy management looks like and how to hedge effectively

• What a “taco canopy” is and how to manage it

• The risk of summer sprays and alternatives to avoid burning plants

• The best time to add fertilizer (aka nitrogen)

• Why you shouldn’t take off leaves with chlorosis

• The importance of controlling weeds early on

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Clemens Technologies for sponsoring today’s episode. Clemens Technologies is the market leader in machinery for all elements of vineyard management. Visit https://www.clemens-online.com/us/ and provide the code UNDERGROUND to receive 5% off your order of in-stock machinery. Or reach out to Thomas Clemens directly at [email protected] with any questions.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.