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GRAPE GRO WING face of the slopes and ridges, the soils here usually have more well-defined horizons, as they were formed in place as uplifted rocks weathered (mostly sandstones, but also shale and other Franciscan rock as- sociations.) If not too steeply sloped or unstable, they make some of our best lo- cations for red varieties. Limited water- holding capacity and fertility control vine growth and help to create fruit that is in- tense in flavor and color. These soils need some real thought to plant (ease and safety of farming), manage (variability of fertility and available water) and protect the soil from erosion. Protecting a resource, making an investment I am heartened that the winegrowing in- dustry has made great strides in valuing soils as an important part of their pro- duction package. Most growers take the time to protect their soil from erosion by planting cover crops, hardening water con- veyances and practicing stewardship that will sustain the soil resource. Additionally, many are learning how to manage soil's organic matter, which has tremendous potential to improve nutrient availability, improve water infiltration and water hold- ing capacity. Building soil organic matter is also a fabulous way to recycle carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The soil has the potential to hold five times as much carbon as the atmosphere, and since we have depleted so much soil carbon during the past 100 years (along with the top soil itself), there is plenty of capacity to regen- erate soil carbon through the use of cover crops and compost. In our study looking at some of the vineyard soils, one stood out. It had been conventionally managed for at least 80 years, and while the soil had many posi- tive attributes, years of conventional till- age had taken its toll. It was rather hard and bricklike in the upper surfaces and surprisingly dry in the lower horizons. The soil scientist working with us commented that this vineyard could really benefit from humus-forming cover crops. Regardless, the vineyard still produces very nice Zin- fandel, especially since it is dry farmed. But if cover crops and compost were applied, soil quality would improve and late-sea- son stresses would be less. Quite possibly, yields would increase, too. At least in re- cent years, the grower has protected this site from erosion using strategic placement of straw and cover cropping in the areas most prone to erosion. Finally, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards are looking at non-point source pollution all over the state of Cali- fornia. Movement of sediment off your vineyard site won't be tolerated, and in- creasingly, water quality planning is going to be a reality for most winegrowing op- erations. The good news is that the tech- niques to prevent erosion and protect wa- ter quality are fairly well understood. Technical support from UC Cooperative Extension and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service are easily accessible to address many water quality issues. Conclusions I hope you find time to celebrate the end of one harvest and the beginning of the next farming cycle. Raise a glass of wine with your friends, and don't be afraid to thank the soil that helps to bring everything to life. Soil is truly the miracle of our uni- verse, and we wouldn't be here without it. We are stardust, and so is our soil. Glenn McGourty is the UC Cooperative Extension winegrowing and plant science advi- sor for Lake and Mendocino counties. He also tends a 1-acre vineyard of the aromatic Italian winegrape variety Arneis on his property along the Russian River near Ukiah, Calif. exhibitors include: contact CCWES FOR MORE INFORMATION: register today crivca@sonic.net (707) 431 2211 barrels suppliers equipment suppliers bottles and closures yeast and additive supplies bottling equipment tank temperature control tanks cleaning/sanitation farm equipment pump suppliers and many more..... show time and directions Wednesday March 7th, 2012: 9:00 - 5:00 pm wine tasting from 5:00 - 6:30pm add us on facebook Thursday March 8th, 2012: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm CCWES trade show located at: Paso Robles Mid State Fair Grounds 2198 Riverside Avenue, Paso Robles Join us on March 7th and 8th, 2012 for the 3rd annual Central Coast Winery Equipment Show! Wines & Vines DeCeMBeR 2011 55