10. Viticulture Scenarios

Priorat, Catalunya

• Hot, dry summers and cold winters occur, which affect viticulture.
• Soils are stony, nutrient-poor slate, and free-draining.
• There is high evapotranspiration and drought stress.
• Irrigation is only allowed with authorization.
• Dominant grape varieties are Garnacha and Cariñena.
• The grapes are late ripening and drought-tolerant, and rootstock 140R is important.
• Expect low vigour and yields of around 15–25 hl/ha.
• Many vines are old, small, and bush-trained.
• Vines are trained using VSP, head training, and cane pruning.
• Trellising improves sun exposure and airflow.
• Low-density planting is maintained with about 2500–3000 vines/ha to allow deep root spread.
• Hand harvesting is required due to steep, rugged terrain and bush vines.
• Premium to super-premium wines are made due to low yields and high labor costs.

Pauillac, Bordeaux

• Moderate climate with year-round rain is typical.
• Soils are free-draining and low in nutrients.
• Cabernet Sauvignon is a key grape variety.
• Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Merlot for body and fruit.
• VSP-trained, head-trained and cane-pruned vines are common.
• Trellising improves sun exposure and airflow.
• High disease pressure from downy mildew and Botrytis necessitate preventive spraying.
• High planting density is maintained with ~10,000 vines/ha.
• Low yield per vine, but higher yield per hectare (50–60 hl/ha).
• Mechanization is possible despite density.
• Mechanical or manual harvest occur.
• Expect high vigour supporting 50–60 hl/ha yield.

Finger Lakes, New York State

• Cold winters, moderated by deep lakes, and moderate summers are typical.
• Vineyards are located near lakes.
• Riesling is the dominant grape variety due to winter hardiness and late budding.
• Cabernet Franc is also grown.
• Planting density is low with 1200–1800 vines/ha.
• Vigorous, high-yielding vines are typical producing 180–200 hl/ha.
• Fertile soils and rainfall lead to vigorous vines.
• Scott-Henry trellising is used to split canopies.

Central Valley, California

• Warm, dry, sunny climate.
• Irrigation is essential due to low rainfall.
• The goal is to maximize yield while minimizing cost, making them suitable for inexpensive, high-volume wines.
• Winter freeze protection involves soil hilling.
• Multiple Riesling clones are used for blending/differentiation.
• Grape variety selection is driven by market demand and price per ton.
• Fungal diseases are common due to humidity.
• Fungicides and open canopies reduce risk.
• Common trellis systems include California Sprawl (cordon-trained, spur-pruned), with some Lyre use.
• Wide row spacing allows for mechanization due to low labor availability.
• Machine harvesting is preferred, sometimes done at night to preserve grape freshness.
• Canopy provides natural shading.
• There is little to no summer pruning or green harvesting.