Cultural Practices
In the world of grapes, the term 'cultural practices' can sometimes be used as a catch-all phrase, but generally it refers to topics that relate to growing the crop itself. This includes issues like choosing varieties and rootstocks, trellis and training systems to support the vines, managing the vines' canopies and cropload to meet production and fruit quality goals, winter pruning and more. You'll probably notice quickly that topics like these are also related to and influenced by information about pest management, vineyard nutrition and business management.
CULTURAL PRACTICES CATEGORIES
Factors That Affect Fruit Set
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist
Finger Lakes Grape Program
One of the components that influences yields in grapevines is the number of berries that set and mature on each cluster, or "fruit set". Each flower cluster contains many individual flowers, each of which has the potential to become a grape. However, not every flower will successfully pollinate or develop a healthy embryo and the surrounding tissue that becomes the fruit that we want.
This article covers some of the factors that influence fruit set in grapes and summarizes practices that growers could use to influence set. It was originally published in the June 2013 issue of the Finger Lakes Vineyard Notes.
Dr. Kees van Leeuwen, University of Bordeaux
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist
Finger Lakes Grape Program
Dr. Kees van Leeuwen is a professor of viticulture at the University of Bordeaux. His work focuses on the effects of environment on terroir. He is also the viticulture consultant for Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion, one of the premier producers in Bordeaux, which uses a high percentage of Cabernet Franc in its wines.
Slides from Presentation by Dr. Benjamin Bois, University of Burgundy
Dr. Benjamin Bois, an associate professor in viticulture and climatology from the University of Burgundy, speak to Finger Lakes growers and winemakers about Pinot noir production in Burgundy and how it is influenced by climatic and site conditions.
Shoot Thinning: Good for the vines, but good for the wines?
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist
Finger Lakes Grape Program
This article discusses some of the potential benefits of shoot thinning in vineyards, such as increased bud fruitfulness, improved sun exposure of the clusters, and reduced disease pressure. It's impact on fruit quality, however, is less certain.
USDA Rural Development for Businesses and Cooperatives
Edith Byrne, Association Program Educator I
Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
Business Programs
Through its Business Programs, USDA Rural Development provides for business credit needs in under-served rural areas, often in partnership with private-sector lenders.
Please visit their website for more up to date information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/LP_BusinessPrograms.html