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W i n e s & V i n e s s e P T e M B e R 2 0 1 4 19 S E P T E M B E R N E W S F resno, Calif.—California State Univer- sity, Fresno, is in the process of redevel- oping 120 acres of campus vineyards used for teaching, research and commercial grape production. Some 65 acres of campus vineyards are de- voted to wine grape production. Future plans include planting a 3.5-acre instructional block that will be on a four-year rotation to allow students to be involved in all aspects of vineyard production from planting to matu- rity of a first crop over a four-year period. Also planned is a variety block with 150 cul- tivars to include wine, table and raisin grape varieties as well as rootstocks. A trellis and irrigation demonstration block will feature commercial grape varieties trained with dif- ferent trellis and irrigation system designs. The department also plans to build a new greenhouse facility for students to gain expe- rience in vine-propagation practices. A 19-acre vineyard block designed for re- search, teaching and demonstration of vine- yard mechanization was planted in May 2013 with French Colombard on 1103P rootstock with 11-foot spacing between rows and 6-foot spacing between vines. The block was planted with financial assistance from West Coast Grape Farming, a division of Bronco Wine Co., that also organized support and dona- tions from grape industry suppliers for vine material, trellis and irrigation systems. Fresno State viticulture professor Dr. S. Kaan Kurtural said French Colombard was chosen for the mechanization block because the variety is capable of producing large yields, and a purpose of the block is to dem- onstrate how mechanization can produce high yields and still maintain balanced crop- ping and high-quality fruit. The new vine- yard has grown quickly and is expected to produce a small crop in 2014—only its sec- ond season after planting. Grapes produced in excess of research analysis needs will be marketed to commercial wineries and used by the campus winery. The San Joaquin Valley produces about 50% of California's annual wine grape ton- nage by volume, but prices paid to growers are among the lowest in the state on a per-ton basis. Wine grape growers are looking for ways to reduce labor costs while maintaining high yields and achieving and improving fruit quality demanded by winery contracts. Fresno State recently received mechanized equipment donations from Midwest Grower Supply to be used both on campus and for offsite research trials in other San Joaquin Valley vineyards. The Department of Viticul- ture and Enology offers a semester-long mech- anized viticulture course that also will utilize the equipment. The donated equipment includes a VMech 2220 tool carrier, a tow-behind unit attached to a vineyard tractor that serves as a platform to attach tools for mechanized operations. Field trials demonstrated that, when compared with hand-labor operations, mechanical box- pruning and shoot thinning could save money while maintaining vine balance and achieving similar or better yields and quality with variet- ies such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris grown in the San Joaquin Valley. —Ted Rieger Fresno State Dedicates Vineyard to Mechanization Field sales team Over 100 years of combined experience. Bob, Paul, Jerr y and Jerr y. The sTrongesT equiPmenT For The mosT delicaTe harvesT. When it comes to north coast agriculture, you have a special set of needs. That's why we offer John Deere Narrow Series Tractors — specially engineered to easily maneuver in vineyards and orchards. See the Belkorp Ag team today for more equipment and tools made just for your business. greaT Financing availaBle 5en narrow series Tractors Available in cab and open-station Only 48" wide Harvest Rental Returns available now! calistoga, ca 1856 Lincoln Ave. (707) 942-4566 santa rosa, ca 4101 S. Moorland Ave. (707) 584-9111 ukiah, ca 247 E. Perkins St. (707) 376-9670 One team, one goal: Your satisfaction. Belkorpag.com