Techology: Grapevine Water Use From a Distance

May 23, 2013

(Wines&Vines) - At a recent meeting of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group devoted to irrigation, Martin Mendez, a senior research scientist at E. & J. Gallo Winery, said, “Management of water depends on what type of wine you want to make.”

An example: Mendez noted that Napa Valley generally starts with saturated soil in the spring and then drops to a threshold where growers start irrigating. The actual irrigation start date and in-season management should reflect the targets set for yield and grape and wine quality.

Too much water, of course, encourages vegetative growth. Therefore, the correct amount of water depends on the yield and quality desired based on the cultivar and style of wine.

“Deficit irrigation is widely used in later stages of ripening, but cutting water off before harvest isn’t the best solution,” Mendez said. It can stress the plants unnecessarily and reduces yield but doesn’t always improve flavors.

At a recent meeting of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group devoted to irrigation, Martin Mendez, a senior research scientist at E. & J. Gallo Winery, said, “Management of water depends on what type of wine you want to make.” An example: Mendez noted that Napa Valley generally starts with saturated soil in the spring and then drops to a threshold where growers start irrigating. The actual irrigation start date and in-season management should reflect the targets set for yield and grape and wine quality. Too much water, of course, encourages vegetative growth. Therefore, the correct amount of water depends on the yield and quality desired based on the cultivar and style of wine. “Deficit irrigation is widely used in later stages of ripening, but cutting water off before harvest isn’t the best solution,” Mendez said. It can stress the plants unnecessarily and reduces yield but doesn’t always improve flavors.

Read more at: http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=116950
Copyright © Wines & Vines
At a recent meeting of the Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group devoted to irrigation, Martin Mendez, a senior research scientist at E. & J. Gallo Winery, said, “Management of water depends on what type of wine you want to make.” An example: Mendez noted that Napa Valley generally starts with saturated soil in the spring and then drops to a threshold where growers start irrigating. The actual irrigation start date and in-season management should reflect the targets set for yield and grape and wine quality. Too much water, of course, encourages vegetative growth. Therefore, the correct amount of water depends on the yield and quality desired based on the cultivar and style of wine. “Deficit irrigation is widely used in later stages of ripening, but cutting water off before harvest isn’t the best solution,” Mendez said. It can stress the plants unnecessarily and reduces yield but doesn’t always improve flavors.

Read more at: http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=116950
Copyright © Wines & Vines

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