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January 2017 WINES&VINES 141 PRACTICAL WINERY & VINEYARD GRAPEGROWING Validation of PCS in reduced labor costs For Babcock, proof of the superiority of the new trellis system has been in its ability to produce quality fruit with significant sav- ings. Babcock's vineyards are now 95% PCS. The only vineyard remaining with a VSP trellis is a Psi Clone Vineyard to pre- serve his Psi, Mama #2 and Long Shot clonal material that he believes derives from cuttings from either the Romanée- Conti or the La Tâche Vineyard owned by noted Burgundian winegrower Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Babcock summarizes, "I have come to the conclusion that VSP is very problematic from the get-go. You are working against gravity, and you are working against the nature of the vine." He recalls when the idea for PCS first came to him, "Why didn't I see all this 20 years prior? Why didn't I just open my eyes? It is kind of a weird feeling, to wonder why it took me so long to do something that is so stupidly simple." Tama Takahashi is a freelance writer based in Santa Barbara, Calif. In 2011 she co-founded the wine tasting group Inside Wine Santa Barbara, which has grown to more than 1,000 members in five years. She is currently studying for her WSET Level 2 exam. The PCS system allows the leaves to be exposed to more sunlight and increased air flow, which helps control the spread of powdery mildew at Babcock Vineyards. www.scottlab.com • info@scottlab.com High-tech meets handcrafted. High-tech meets handcrafted. SIGMA press with patented pressing principle and FLEXIDRAIN® technology for vertical juice extraction. Inquire about early order discounts! ALL AMERICAN BUNG CO. Formerly known as FERM-RITE THE ORIGINAL BREATHING BUNG Pick up and local delivery available GOOD service is GOOD business Proud to say, "Made in the U.S.A." For info or to place an order please call 209-727-7048 AllAmericanBungCo@gmail.com www.facebook.com/lodi.bungs 3435 Ocean Park Blvd, #107-511 ~ 10 rue François Appert – BP 90095 21703 Nuits Saint Georges Cedex France