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GRAPE GRO WING Every place is different In much of coastal California, there is an incredible array of soils and climates that allow considerable latitude in what we choose to grow. Presently, I am working on a project to identify the top 10 viticultural soils of Mendocino County. We will use this information as both a marketing tool and a planning tool (since our county planning department tends to protect only Class 1 soils, of which we have very little in the county.) We have used GIS soils maps to determine which soils have the most vine- yard area planted on them. Working with soil scientists from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, we are excavating down 6 feet and photographing the soil profile, verifying that it is indeed the soil that it is supposed to be (soil mapping isn't an exact science.) This information will be added to the Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission's website. Growers can advertise fruit that they have for sale and, if requested, their vineyard will be linked to soil descriptions. We are working in a relatively small geographic area in the Upper Russian River Watershed to conserve time and money. The diversity of what is below the surface of the soil is striking. In some of Protecting good soil through erosion control and managing organic matter is an invest- ment toward excellent vineyards. these sites, the soil has been carried in by the river and dropped in place. Since the valley is relatively narrow, the river has meandered numerous times. Soils liter- ally change every 100 feet or so depend- ing on where you are in this part of the Russian River flood plain. These soils are quite young—some of them so recently deposited that there are not distinct soil horizons but mixes of sand, clay and gravel. Others show definite profile layers of sand, gravel and loam. Still others are quite uniform, loamy and deep, and are superb agricultural soils (these soils tend to be in the backwater areas where fine textured particles are deposited.) Trying to plant a large vineyard across this land- scape becomes a challenge if you want uniform growth. In general, white variet- ies are well suited to these locations, and that is why Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate the vineyard plantings in our alluvial soils along the Russian River. As we move up the slope from the flood plain, the soils and the landscape become much older. The alluvial fans coming down from the mouth of the many canyons can also have very mixed soils, somewhat simi- lar to the flood plain, but are often older than soils lower on the landscape. On the 2012 Now Available For Pre-Order Together, we can keep flavor at its peak. Since 1963, Parker domnick hunter has been developing comprehensive filtration solutions designed to optimize your wine making process. • Filter cartridges which help preserve the unique characteristics of your wine Value-added benefits • Lower overall filtration costs so you remain highly competitive • Technical service available on-site to audit and help achieve process efficiency You can rely on Parker domnick hunter for consistent and reputable performance, call 877 784 2234 today for a free technical assessment of your filtration process. [ Stop by Booth 1414 @ Unified Wine 2012 ] www.parker.com/processfiltration dhpsales.na@parker.com (866) 453-9701 www.winesandvines.com Directory & Buyer's Guide 2012 Wines & Vines Announcing the Order today or learn more at winesandvines.com/bglearnmore 54 Wines & Vines DeCeMBeR 201 1 Parker dhP Dec 2011 Qtr Pg BW_UWGS Preview.indd 1 11/7/2011 2:14:40 PM