Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/246577
GRAPEGROWING Grower's concerns Novavine's Caselli added that after two heavy crop years, many growers are being cautious about planting anyway. He said Novavine has good availability of dormant vines for 2014. "We will sell out what we have, however." "Growers are going to have a tough time finding the absolute cleanliness they desire until the Protocol 2010 material is in full production." —Steve Maniaci, Sunridge Nurseries manager Duarte does not expect a shortage of vines, but the company is seeing a higher demand for certain varieties. Overall, its sales are currently about even with 2013. Duarte noted that growers are more educated about diseases and viruses than in the past, and they request clean plant stock. "We have seen an increasing number of customers who would like to come and test our mother blocks. Duarte Nursery allows any customer to test its mother block stock or any plant material prior to grafting. This has been requested more with the concern for red blotch disease." Sunridge's Maniaci said that growers ask for certified vines, but many compromise by using "tested" non-certified wood for their projects. A viticulturist experienced in advising What about field grafting? S am Caselli of Novavine nursery said that some growers are planting ungrafted rootstocks due to uncertainty about the supply of virus-free scion wood and also due to changes in demand for different varieties. "That gives them a year to decide," he said. Dave Komar runs Top-Notch Grafting and Vineyard Service in Kenwood, which specializes in field grafting. He agrees with Caselli: "Many growers are more comfortable planting clean rootings and taking their time to choose a scion." He notes that many growers first ask for certified vines, and when they can't find them look for tested clean wood. "They often collect their own wood and test it. In effect, they have their own increase blocks. They're not certified, but they're comfortable with it, and it results in considerable savings compared to buying the wood." He added that some growers are particularly happy with some vines and want to reproduce them. Komar said that his business does swing from budding to changing varieties in an existing vineyard and new plantings. "In 2010 and 2011, we did more T-budding. In 2012, it swung to grafting onto more rootstocks, and in 2013 it was back to top budding again." P.F. Northern California growers told Wines & Vines: "Most companies doing testing run a panel for red blotch plus six leafroll viruses. Since virus infections are not uniformly distributed in vines, the nurseries can do testing and still accidently propagate infected vines unless they start with absolutely clean mother blocks and keep them that way." Sunridge general manager Maniaci said the company has planted substantial new acreage of Protocol 2010 rootstock and Protocol 2010 varietal scion wood on virgin and isolated new property. "Isolation is a key factor because viruses are being moved from vineyard to vineyard more now than ever before. Nursery blocks are not immune from becoming infected, so keeping them clean requires isolation of a long distance from any and all vineyards that might have either a virus or a vector. "Short of growing every vine in a plastic bubble, we are doing everything practical to service the industry," Maniaci said. SHuR FARMS ® Frost Protection Award Winning Technology! Internationally Acclaimed! Cold Air Drain® Powerful Cost Effective Versatile Convenient Shur Farms Frost Protection 1890 N. 8th St., Colton, CA 92324 Toll Free (877) 842-9688 info@shurfarms.com ~ www.shurfarms.com Manufacturer of the world's most advanced frost protection 58 W in e s & V i ne s F E B R uary 20 14