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GRAPE GRO WING The grape variables measured were total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, potassium (skin, seeds and pulp), tannins (skin and seeds) and anthocyanins. Wine variables measured were ethanol, TA, pH, potassium, tannins, total iron reactive phenolics, anthocyanins and polymeric pigments. For white wines, approximately 45kg of fruit was pressed, transferred to variable-capacity 100-liter Ghidi stainless steel tanks and fermented in a walk-in temperature control room at 14°C using Red Star Premier Cuvee yeast. planted in 1999, was grafted in 2002-03. "We now know that if we ever have a problem with phylloxera or nematodes, we have the rootstocks to choose from that work in the growing conditions here," Keller added. "These and many more are also in our clean-plant program, so we're ready if growers wish to start using rootstocks." Experimental method Keller, assisted by research and technical staff members and graduate students, led the viticultural component of this study. The grapes used in this study were grown in the Roza vineyard near WSU's Irri- gated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Wash. Vine phenol- ogy, vigor, water status, yield formation and fruit ripening and composition were evaluated for three years, beginning in the vineyard's ninth year. Vines were planted with 1.83 meters between vines in north-south-oriented rows spaced 2.74 meters apart on a 2% south- facing slope. Chardonnay, Merlot and Syr- ah were successfully grafted to five different rootstocks (5C, 140Ru, 1103P, 3309C and 101CU) and also grown on their own roots (10 field replicates). The vineyard was planted in 1999 and field-grafted in 2002 and 2003. The vineyard was set up in two blocks with each cultivar represented in each block. Grapes were handpicked at ~23°-24° Brix each year after being moni- tored biweekly beginning before veraison. Harvest dates for Chardonnay were Sept. 25, 2007, Oct. 1, 2008, and Sept. 22, 2009. For Merlot, harvest dates were Oct. 2, 2007, Oct. 14, 2008, and Sept. 29, 2009. Syrah was harvested Oct. 11, 2007, Oct. 28, 2008, and Oct. 12 2009. Enologist Dr. Jim Harbertson managed winemaking along with his technical staff and graduate students at WSU's research winery at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Wash. WINES & VINES AUGUST 2012 51 Red wines were made using a similar quantity of fruit in 300-liter glycol-cooled Ghidi tanks. The must was inoculated with Red Star Pasteur Red yeast, and malolactic fermentation conducted with Oenococcus oeni. Brian Charles Clark is an agricultural sci- ence writer for Washington State University. He has written hundreds stories for a variety of publications. Clark is also the editor of several free, electronic science publications available from WSU via cahnrsnews.wsu.edu.