Considerations for Growing Grapes for Sparkling Wine Production in Washington State

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Considerations for Growing Grapes for Sparkling
Wine Production in Washington State

• WAWGG
• 2/4/2009

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Introduction and Outline of Discussion

• Introduction
• Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard (V10)
• Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard (V12)
• Heily Vineyard
• JMST Vineyard (Formerly Four Feathers)
• Conclusion
• Growing Considerations

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Columbia Crest Estate Vineyard
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Columbia Crest Estate VineyardVineyard Facts

• Variety Chardonnay
• Year Planted 1990
• Density 807 (Plants/Acre)
• Training system 2X Unilateral
• Trellis System 3 Wire Vertical
• Irrigation System Drip

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Columbia Crest Estate VineyardVineyard Facts

• Clone 6?
• Soil Quincy Loamy Sand
• Elevation 545 ft. 600 ft.
• Slope South
• Heat Units 3091 (Base 50 5 Year Average)
• AVA Horse Heaven Hills

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Canoe Ridge
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Canoe RidgeVineyard Facts

• Variety Chardonnay
• Year Planted 1992
• Density 807 (Plants/Acre)
• Training system 2X Unilateral
• Trellis System 3 Wire Vertical
• Irrigation System Drip

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Canoe RidgeVineyard Facts

• Clone 6 or 15?
• Soil Quincy Loamy Sand
• Elevation 475 ft. 530ft.
• Slope South
• Heat Units 3324 (Base 50 9 Year Average)
• AVA Horse Heaven Hills

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Heily Vineyard
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Heily VineyardVineyard Facts

• Variety Chardonnay
• Year Planted 1984
• Density 726 (Plants/Acre)
• Training System Unilateral
• Trellis System 2 Wire Vertical
• Irrigation System Drip

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Heily VineyardVineyard Facts

• Clone 6?
• Soil 76 Selah Silt Loam, 16 Gorst Loam, 8
  Moxee Silt Loam
• Elevation 1425 ft. 1510 ft.
• Slope South
• Heat Units 1943 (Base 50 9 Year Average)
• AVA Columbia Valley

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JMST Inc.
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JMST VineyardVineyard Facts

• Variety Chardonnay
• Year Planted 1997
• Density 807 (Plants/Acre)
• Training System Bilateral 2X Unilateral
• Trellis System VSP
• Irrigation System Drip

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JMST VineyardVineyard Facts

• Clone 6 or 15?
• Soil 50 Ritzville Silt Loam, 50 Willis Silt
  Loam
• Elevation 1675 ft. 1755 ft.
• Slope East
• Heat Units 3352 (Base 50 9 Year Average)
• AVA Columbia Valley

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Vineyard Comparisons
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Conclusions

• In my experience, no one site has been found to
  be the perfect Washington State sparkling wine
  site.
• Sparkling wine grapes can be grown for quality on
  a wide variety of soil types and site situations,
  and can thrive under various climatic conditions.
• An intimate understanding of your site, and
  working closely with your winemaker on their
  specifications are the two most important
  attributes of a great sparkling wine grape grower.

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Growing Considerations

• Understand your site soil, heat units,
  topography and orientation, pest pressure..
• Work closely with winemaking staff understand
  winery goals for your site and know how your
  grapes are expected to complement the overall
  blend.
• Understand that quality grapes are needed for
  quality sparkling wine.

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Growing Considerations

• Even though quality sparkling grapes can be
  produced in a wide variety of situations, a
  grower is going to need to adapt their management
  practices to their particular site.
• Crop Load
• Canopy

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Growing Considerations

• Fruit Exposure
• Clones???
• Do what you love and love what you do there is
  no substitute for passion.

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Special Thanks..

• Jennifer Herrmann Lead Viticulturist, SMWE
• Rick Casqueiro Winemaker, Domaine Ste. Michelle
• Michel Salgues Sparkling Wine Consultant

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Contact Information

• Derek Way Vineyard Manager, Sagemoor Vineyards
• Phone [phone]
• Email derek_at_sagmemoorvineyards.com