Grape Research
Growing Wine Grapes in Maritime Western Washington (EB2001)
Pest Management Guide for Grapes in Washington (EB0762). (2007). |
Grape research at Mount Vernon has focused on the potential for high quality wine grape production, though some table grapes have also been evaluated. The range of cumulative heat units in the Puget Sound area varies from approximately 1400 to 2400 and is a marine climate similar in many ways to the fine wine producing areas of France and Germany. The station, located near the ocean in the Skagit River flood plain, is at the cool end of the scale at 1500 average annual heat units.
This research program was initiated by Dr. Bob Norton in the mid 1970s. Research conducted from 1976 to 1988 produced a number of white wine grape varieties, such as 'Madeleine Sylvaner,' 'Madeleine Angevine,' 'Muller-Thurgau,' and 'Siegerrebe,' which have already proven successful in area vineyards. Current research involves projects in evaluating new wine grape varieties, and rootstock trials evaluating potential for earlier maturity in 'Pinot Noir' grapes. Trials are located at two sites with different heat unit levels. One is on the Mount Vernon research station in the Skagit Valley flood plain, and the second is at a vineyard site in the Nooksack River valley near Everson, where heat levels are considerably higher.
Wine Grape Trial Report 2007 (3/2007) Archives
Comparative heat units for some western Washington sites
Pruning grapes in the home garden.
Current Projects
Wine Grape Cultivar Trials
Variety trials initiated in 2000 are testing new red and white wine grape cultivars from cool climate areas. Emphasis is placed on earlier ripening red varieties with name recognition, complex flavor, and potential for high quality. Trials are replicated plots (3 replications) of 5 plants each, to allow sufficient crop for wine making and testing. Varieties from western and eastern Europe and selections from breeding programs such as those in New York and British Columbia, Canada are included. The variety trial will evaluate the performance of each cultivar with respect to growth habit, bloom time, fruit set, fruit yield, susceptibility to disease and insect pests, and fruit quality parameters.
The trial also includes a Varietal Pretest, consisting of three-plant plots, including more white wine varieties and other varieties lesser known or possibly of marginal performance. These varieties can be added to the main trial later on, if their performance justifies more extensive testing. New acquisitions coming in 2004-05 can also be added to the trial as they are evaluated.
Varieties included in trial & pre-tests in 2007.
'Pinot Noir' Rootstock Trials
Selection of rootstocks that promote earlier maturing can expand the areas in which high quality grapes can be produced..At present, trials consist of replicated 5-plant plots (3 replications) of Pinot Noir clone 2A, grown on 3 different rootstocks, with self-rooted plants included for comparison. One trial is located at the Mount Vernon research station in the Skagit Valley flood plain, and the second is at a vineyard site in the Nooksack River valley near Everson, where heat levels are considerably higher. Performance of the various rootstocks will be evaluated for vigor, productivity, yield and quality of fruit.
Rootstocks being evaluated
Control (self rooted)Couderc 3309
Millardet de Grasset 101-14
Millardet de Grasset 420A
Table Grapes
Since temperature is the main limiting factor in producing good quality sweet flavor in a cool climate area like ours, only certain early maturing varieties can be grown successfully here. For example, the most common blue grape, 'Concord', does not mature well in most areas of western Washington. In general, grapes require full sun and soils with good drainage and moderate fertility. Placing vines with a southern to western exposure, protecting them from wind, and using black mulching material or river rock under the vines to reflect heat are all methods that may help to enhance ripening. Vigorous varieties like 'Interlaken Seedless' can be very productive when trained up over an arbor, assuring that all shoots have good sun exposure.
Some guidelines for pruning grapes in the home garden.
Table grape varieties (*currently planted in 2007 at Mount Vernon)
| Buffalo – midseason Concord type, blue Canadice* – early pinkish red Interlaken Seedless* – early white, vigorous Jupiter* – early, blue, large berries Lynden Blue – very early blue, seeded Mars* – medium early, blue Neptune* – medium early, white Reliance* – early, red, table and juice |
Saturn* – medium early, red Van Buren – blue Concord type, early Vanessa* – early red Venus* – early red NY 78.836.06* – selection from Geneva, NY breeding program |
Support
The Puget Sound Wine Grape Growers have been active in assisting the organization of our renewed research program, and helping to seek out possible resources. They have succeeded in attaining a separate appellation to recognize the unique qualities and characteristics of wine produced in this area. Support for initiating these new trials has been provided by the Washington Wine Advisory Board and the Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research-USDA.
Cooperation in the wine making and production aspects of the trial has involved area winemakers, in consultation with the station's wine consultant, Tom Bronkema of Skagit Beverages Inc.
Interest by home growers and amateur winemakers has also been evident, particularly in the renewed variety trial which might make available new varieties from unusual sources. At the annual spring Field Days co-sponsored by the Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation, the demonstrations on pruning grapes are well attended, with numerous questions on vine care and propagation.