Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/235959
S M w R T eVGI R O C U L T G R E A in T I WIN U Dokoozlian emphasized how vigor manipulation by irrigation management has become an important component of canopy management. He noted the biggest change in canopy management in California in the past 20 years has been the adoption of the vertical shoot positioned (VSP) system. VSP is best suited for low- to moderate-vigor situations, but unfortunately, it is also used in highvigor situations. Leaf removal in the fruit zone has now become widespread, and that improving fruit exposure with this practice helps reduce botrytis bunch rot. Regrettably, it is often done excessively, which is a particular problem in warm to hot growing regions where excessive exposure is enhanced by leaf removal in north-south oriented vine rows. Italian researchers Dr. Stefano Poni (Istituto di Frutti-Viticoltura, Universita Cattolica del Sacre Cuore, Piacenza) and Dr. Cesare Intrieri (Department di Colture Arboree, University of Bologna) presented another aspect of leaf removal. They have shown that removal of mature leaves before bloom reduces fruit set and produces loose clusters (less prone to bunch rot). Because of regrowth of leaves by the vine and reduced yield, the improved ratio of leaf-area to fruit-weight leads to improved wine quality. The Italians have also taken advantage of Advantis vineyard mechanization, which requires less than 20 hours labor input per acre. It was my pleasure to present the final paper, a particular honor since I was one of the speakers at the 1986 symposium. I went back some 130 million years to when flowering plants appeared in the Cretaceous period. One of 300 plant families that have subsequently been classified is Vitaceae, which contains Vitis vinifera, the European grapevine. Many scientific members of the audience were surprised to learn that Charles Darwin, the founder of evolutionary theory, was a viticultural scientist. Darwin studied grapevines and other climbing plants in his glasshouse, which survives to this day at Down House near London. Darwin was intrigued by the grapevine, particularly by the fact that opposite the leaf may exist a tendril or an inflorescence (which subsequently will become a grape cluster) or some intermediate form. Darwin wrote in 1865 "that these cases illustrate in a striking manner the principle of the gradual evolution of species." Canopy management researchers are well aware that the grapevine is in a "fruiting mode" in a well-illuminated canopy, which is also important for wine quality. I made the point that, unfortunately, canopy management research is now not very fashionable, despite the substantial gains in yield and wine quality that are possible. Viticultural research topics like molecular biology and precision viticulture are much more popular today than canopy management. I noted the commercial success of companies using my canopy management advice, in particular Pago Vallegarcia in Spain and Fortress Vineyards in Lake County, Calif. Both companies have improved profitability from increased yields and/or wine quality. I regret that canopy management techniques are not more widely applied in commercial vineyards, especially in my home country of Australia. Because of research efforts by Kliewer and others, the adoption rate and awareness in the U.S., and particularly California, is much higher. The symposium presented important research about the state of canopy management today, but will there ever be another canopy management seminar? I doubt it. Like many other fashions in the wine business, canopy management may have passed its "golden years." PWV WV Dr. Richard Smart is rewriting and thoroughly revising Sunlight into Wine. He is happy to receive statements from growers and winemakers about their commercial success with various aspects of canopy management. Interested persons should contact Dr. Smart by email at richard@smartvit.com.au. Dr. Smart visits the U.S. frequently, and consulting appointments can be made by email. See also www.smartvit.com.au. INDEX TO ADVERTISERS The Seminar Group . . . . . . . 28 ANDRITZ Separation Inc. . . . 17 GF Piping Systems . . . . . . . All American Containers . . . . . 7 Insect-O-Cutor . . . . . . . . . . 13 Solarix Systems . . . . . . . . . 16 BSG Wine Division | Napa . . . . 2 Mel Knox Barrel Broker . . . . . 37 StaVin Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 BioprocessH2O . . . . . . . . . . 15 Mercier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Tonnellerie Boutes . . . . . . . . . 5 The Boswell Co. . . . . . . . 26, 51 Mio Vigneto Products . . . . . . 31 Tonnellerie Ô . . . . . . . . . . CSP Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Parker Hannifin . . . . . . . . . 39 Tonnellerie Orion . . . . . . . . 38 Creative Oak . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Pickering Winery Supply . . . . 57 Tonnellerie Sansaud USA . . . . 55 Custom Metalcraft . . . . . . . 21 Quercus Concepts . . . . . . . . 15 Tonnellerie Sirugue . . . . . . . 52 Diam Closures USA . . . . . . . 68 Raynox 2000 Inc. . . . . . . . . . 43 Enartis Vinquiry . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rutherford Equipment Rental LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Erik Daunell Electric . . . . . . 16 Euro-Machines Inc. . . . . . . . 34 Fogmaster Corp. . . . . . . . . . 26 66 p racti c al w i ne ry & v i ne yard JANUARY 20 14 60 St. Patrick's of Texas . . . . . . . 41 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition . . . . . . . . 67 19 Trident Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Vinotec Napa . . . . . . . . . . 64 Vintners Supply Co. . . . . . . . 32 Western Square Industries Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 35 WinerySeals . . . . . . . . . . . . 55