Newsletter Archives > Viticulture

In the Vineyard : Spring 2003


	Michael Davies, In the Vineyard

Ducks in a row, or are they beavers?

By Michael Davies, Chehalem Assistant Winemaker and Vineyard Manager

So, Chehalem is developing its first vineyards on Ribbon Ridge from bare ground in 12 years! Some ideas have changed significantly since Harry planted Ridgecrest and some have not. Equally, one might say that if some industry norms hadn't changed in 12 years, then there is probably something wrong with the industry!

Tractor in a muddy field As with many projects, developing new vineyards involves much more tractor science and common sense than it does rocket science.

Planning of course is the parent to successful execution. Our planning has to take into consideration the unforeseen 'muddy spots' we might find as we go along and, as with the building of the Great Pyramids, we too have to contend with highly unpredictable weather. Unlike those early Egyptians however, and to comply with all state and federal OSHA regulations, our personnel always wear more than loincloths and sandals.


	Andy Gallagher taking core soil samples.

After harvest, Harry, Cheryl and I spent some of our rare spare time fine-tuning our philosophical and farming ideas for Wind Ridge Vineyard. The site was pre-determined, the planting of grapevines was never in doubt and the clonal/rootstock combination had been decided almost a year earlier. We had to next finalize our desired spacing and make our choice of trellis materials, decide the appropriate amount of land preparation and initiate any necessary equipment purchases. Naturally all these interrelated factors had to be budgeted for and constantly reassessed on the continuum between a 'need' and a 'preference.'

Following ploughing of the land in December, numerous meetings in a muddy field with irrigation contractors, well-drillers, tiling contractors and soil scientists the next step was to wait until a window of weather allowed access. Here in Oregon there is often a quick transition between the land being too wet to do anything except cold mud-wrestling and a time when the land is drying out fast. This means we have to keep all our ducks in a row and have them ready to act quickly.


Wind Ridge Vineyard looking South.

So what are we doing now? April & May 2003

• We will receive our completed soil maps and analyses, providing us with soil classifications, profiles, water-holding capacities, seasonal water tables, pH and organic matter contents.

• Tiling will continue with the laterals maximizing water drainage and providing us with a lower average winter water table in the field.

• Laying out of the posts and plants will take place after we have smoothed off the surface a little more. Using cables with pre-marked distances and a transit, our lines will remain straight and our 90 degree corners true.

• With the aid of a small Caterpillar (the metal kind) we can then push approximately 2600 posts hydraulically into the ground. End-posts will be firmly anchored and the first of two trellis wires installed.

• Using augers we will drill holes on the marked spot, add compost to give the plant a happy start, put the grafted plant in the hole and re-fill with soil. The plant is staked with a small steel rod and a plastic sleeve is attached to help maintain a microclimate that is conducive to growth and providing some protection from browsing deer. A straw mulch layer is put down to conserve moisture.

• Work will continue on drilling a well and establishing our irrigation system, to be used during establishment and in emergencies when the plants might be under excessive stress.

• We will install a weather station, monitoring humidity levels and evapotranspiration rates, helping us determine when our vines are under stress and thereby more vulnerable to pests and diseases. We can also further optimize our spray schedule to minimize the use of all chemicals.

• A deer fence will be built along the forest boundary of the property and we'll plant some landscaping plants in areas that are not suited to vines. This should provide aesthetic benefits as well as enhance the biodiversity of the site. By maintaining good biodiversity healthy populations of beneficial insects and other microorganisms will be fostered.