Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/122527
GRAPEGROWING New industry, big customers DUSI VINEYARD Overall, the Central Coast is a net exporter of fruit to other regions. It is the backbone of many of the medium-priced quality wines in the portfolio of the largest wineries in California. The region also produces fruit used as "blender/extender" for many programs to improve flavor, mouthfeel and acidity and maintain good quality. Attention to detail has allowed the industry to deliver quality fruit at a decent price, but higher yields are a tool used to keep the price/quality relationship viable. Vineyards in the Central Coast existed during missionary times, when the Franciscan priests made wine and brandy. Until the 1960s there were many other farm enterprises that made up the agricultural economy. A few very old headpruned Zinfandel vineyards still exist, planted nearly a century ago, and still make interesting wine. The first large vineyard expansion occurred in the northern Salinas Valley to fulfill a growing demand for varietal wines by companies such as Paul Masson and Almaden. There were mixed results: Many early plantings were too cool for red varieties and had to be replaced with whites. Soon it The Central Coast is home to many old, head-pruned and dry-farmed vineyards. In an effort to save water today, owners putting in new vineyards are mindful of using drought-tolerant rootstocks. became clear that Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer belonged in the cooler regions north of King City such as Greenfield, Arroyo Seco and Gonzalez, Calif. The vineyard industry has sorted out many of the sites and determined the best fit for varieties, clones and rootstocks in most areas. www.tenaxus.com Bird Netting Environmentally - friendly alternatives to chemicals and other ineffective methods, available in a variety of sizes and mesh openings. Ground Protection Green solutions for preventing wheel rutting and creating temporary parking areas! Deer Fence Long-lasting effective predator control solutions that do not obstruct the landscape! Jane Fridley de Bigit p. 651.414.9498 | jdebigit@tenax.com 78 WI N E S & V I NE S M AY 20 13 The second wave of plantings began during the 1970s in the Paso Robles area and peaked in the 1990s. Red fruit was in high demand, and growers on Paso's east side really delivered, supplying large crops of fruit higher in quality than Central Valley grapes for wineries wanting to make value-priced wines. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County