New Vineyard Timeline

Research-based, practical information for growers focusing on viticultural practices. Guidance includes vineyard site selection and establishment, selection of grape varieties, rootstocks, and training systems, canopy and crop load management, soils, vineyard nutrition and water management, and improving vineyard management efficiency. 

Two Years Before Planting

  • Many a viticulture extension associate will tell you that, more often than not, people interested in growing grapes will call and ask for beginner's advice a mere couple of months before planting the first vine.
  • Just as with any other business, a tremendous amount of consideration and planning needs to go into planting and managing a wine grape vineyard.

 

 

Grapes from our breeding program, led by assistant professor Maddy Oravec.
Grapes from our breeding program, led by assistant professor Maddy Oravec.

Starting the Process

  • Starting the vineyard planning process at least two years ahead of time will allow time for soil testing and preparation to ensure optimal soil conditions prior to vine planting. 
  • Any experienced grower will attest to the fact that making significant adjustments to soil and irrigation once a vineyard is planted is trickier due to the physical barriers of the posts and wires

Mitigating Risks Early

  1. Developing a solid business plan, complete with an exit strategy and succession plan
  2. Selecting an optimal site for grape production
  3. Planting varieties that will thrive at your site
     

Variety Selection

  • Who will buy your grapes and what kinds do they want? 
  • Your market decisions are some of the most important ones in this business. 
  • Many factors come into consideration when you are trying to decide what varieties to plant in your vineyard.

One Year Before Planting

Future vineyard land needs to be prepared before ordering the vines. As a general rule, the more money and time invested in site preparation leads to fewer difficulties down the road and allows for easier applications of soil amendments and installation of irrigation systems. In many cases, a cover crop may need to be planted one to two years prior to planting for weed suppression, soil retention and build-up of organic matter.

  • Assess deer and other pest pressures at your selected site. Many animals love to munch on different parts of grapevines, so it is best to put a plan in place ahead of planting for managing vineyard pests. Will you need bird netting, deer fencing, or an electric fence?
  • Finally, installing weather equipment is another step in maintaining good records and monitoring vineyard conditions. Get it installed early to monitor vineyard temperatures and local precipitation.
  • Once the land is prepared, plan to order vines at least one year in advance. Some nurseries may require more time for certain rootstock/scion combinations, so contact the nursery at least one, preferably two, year(s) prior to planting.

Fact Sheets

Year of Planting

The business plan is laid out; the ground is ready; and the plants are on their way. What next?

  • Prepare the ground for planting by turning the soil in the space allotted for the vineyard. 
  • Soil nutrient amendments should be complete and weed populations should be under control.
  • Determine orientation of vineyard based on aspect and slope. 

Whether hiring a planting contractor or planting yourself, the time has arrived to get the vines in the soil.

A vineyard in upstate New York.

Vineyard Map

  • The best time to create vineyard maps is during the vineyard layout and planting processes. 
  • You can note potential problems with specific vines (graft unions too close to soil line, or vines slightly off-center) on these maps as they go into the soil.

Planting Considerations

  • We recommend that grow tubes are used for at least the first part of the season to protect young vines from weed sprays and to make these weed spray applications much easier. 
  • Grafted vines need to be planted with the grafted union about two inches above the soil line. Plant it below the soil line, the scion may grow roots, which could become infested with phylloxera, which would then reduce vine size. 

Weed and Insect Management

  • Keep weeds immediately next to vines under control to prevent competition between weeds and vines. 
  • To grow healthy vines, vineyard pests must be kept to a minimum. Keep disease and insect pressures to a minimum and monitor for deer pressure.

Fact Sheets

Contact

Hans Walter-Peterson
Senior Extension Associate
417 Liberty Street
315-521-8789
hcw5 [at] cornell.edu (hcw5[at]cornell[dot]edu)