STAGES IN DEVELOPING A HIGH-END VINEYARD
The development of a high-end vineyard is distinguished by (1) the vineyards terroir, (2) precision development and (3) precision Viticultural techniques employed in the vineyards development.
Year 0: Site selection & acquisition.
In year 0 the available sites with the best terroir are identified and acquired. This will include raw land that has never been developed agriculturally, orchards that need to be converted to vineyard, or out-dated or poorly performing vineyards that need to be ripped out and remediated.
Year 1: Site design, preparation & planting
In Year 1 significant work will take place before the planting, including activities such as land clearing, soil preparation (including soil amendments and ripping), removing excess rocks, installing irrigation systems, trellis systems, etc. Planting generally occurs in the spring, with prime vineyard stock. An irrigation system will be installed which provides adequate moisture to the young vines. In the fall, irrigation is applied to the vines at a level less than normal to make the roots “reach” for water and probe more soil volume thereby expanding the root zone. During the first season, a single shoot is trained up the stake and will become the trunk of a mature vine.
Years 1-2 Pre-Production Stage.
During years 1 to 2, activities will include vine training, irrigation, fertilizing, weed control, pest management and establishing a cover crop.
Years 3-5 Yearly production.
During Year 3 crops representing less than mature tonnage and quality are produced. These crops improve in years 4 and 5. Experience vintners can begin to project the potential mature grape quality of these vines based on the quality at this stage. Farming costs are near mature production levels. Crop yields begin small in year 3 and increase rapidly as the vines approach maturity.
Years 6-8+ Full Production Yields and Mature quality.
Field activities involve annual pruning, canopy management, irrigation, fertilization, weed control, pest and disease management and harvest. During this period the property generates strong cash flow from grapes sales or leases. It is at this stage that the property will begin to realize its full value and will be a desirable property for ownership by other parties.
