Grape farmers, vintners ... Any here?

[MotoSook]

Just started doing a little research. I want to try to grew some grapes. Maybe a dozen or less to see how they do on the property.

I've got a south facing slope that has good drainage down to our pond. The soil looks to be furtile enough. It was a farm 20+ years ago and the area is now prairie grass and weeds.

So! Anyone out there with experience growing grapes and making their own wine?

[BRPORSCHE]

Don is your man Souk. Don Plumney (sp?)

[MotoSook]

Cool. Thanks. (ETA- just confirmed my rusty memory it's Plumley)

[Hard-Deck]

I have grown grapes and I do make my own vino.

[Seahawk]

Souk,

I did a lot of research a few years ago when I was thinking of turning part of my farm over to vines.

As you have no doubt discovered, there is a ton of stuff on the web, almost too much.

I was also able to take advantage of a few local growers and a regional organization that supports new growers. I also approached the main wine maker, Inglenook, for advice. They were all extremely helpful, especially Inglenook. They came out and surveyed my property and would have provided financial help if I agreed to enter into an agreement with them. Interesting. They need grapes!

Also, don't forget your local county agent.

The reason I stayed on the sidelines is that 10 acres of grapes is a lot of touch labor, a lot.

[cgarr]

"County Agent"

Hank Kimball!

[MotoSook]

Thanks for the info. The larger vineyards in Illinois also buy grapes to augment their harvest. Didn't know there was such a demand for Illinois wine.

There is an Illinois group that may be just as eager to help, but I haven't contacted them yet. I wanted to hear what you guys had to say first. I checked out Don Plumley's web page and he's got quite an operation. I don't see myself ever being on that scale. I read that 1-2 acres was small enough for 1 person to farm. If it every got to 2 acres of vines, I'd hire someone seasonally, but i figure maybe 1 acre would be manageable between my dad and me (and the kids). It'd be on a hobby-scale unless there was a potential for high profit by selling the grapes. We have a small apple and pear orchard now and I'd be interested in making wine with those fruits too.

Just wanted to know how hard, expensive, etc....

Souk,



I did a lot of research a few years ago when I was thinking of turning part of my farm over to vines.



As you have no doubt discovered, there is a ton of stuff on the web, almost too much.



I was also able to take advantage of a few local growers and a regional organization that supports new growers. I also approached the main wine maker, Inglenook, for advice. They were all extremely helpful, especially Inglenook. They came out and surveyed my property and would have provided financial help if I agreed to enter into an agreement with them. Interesting. They need grapes!



Also, don't forget your local county agent.



The reason I stayed on the sidelines is that 10 acres of grapes is a lot of touch labor, a lot.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

don't forget your local county agent.

Whatever Ag type university that is nearby will be a good source for you as well.

[porsche4life]

What's caused the boom in the American vino industry? There are a lot of vineyards springing up in OK

[slodave]

Parents friends planted 19 rows in their yard a few years ago, the wine is supposed to be quite good and is now in a few restaurants out here.

[RWebb]

I thought you were in Illinois??

You do not want really fertile soil BTW - the vines "need to struggle" for nutrients and for water.

I have 2 friends who are vintners (Pinot Noir mostly) - post some more info and I can run it by them if you want.

You should buy a used copy of Buckman and Brady's book on soils.

I suspect the huge explosion in wine drinking in the US (and good wines, at that) has fueled some of the expansion of grape growing. Also some of the movies - BTW a friend just told me there will be a sequel to Sideways, called vertical, and set in Oregon this time - revolves around the annual IPNC boozefest. Kinda sad really, as we have too many tourists now and IPNC will never be the same afterwards.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What's caused the boom in the American vino industry? There are a lot of vineyards springing up in OK

two buck chuck.....

[MotoSook]

Webb...I am in Illinois. There are numerous vineyards in Illinois...

The oil soil report I got when we perchased the house, indicates extreme erosion (not sure how extreme) of the top soil back before they built the homestead on the once firtile farm land. Like I said the slope face is now weeds and tall grass with small tress. It's nice area of the property that I won't be using for anything. It would be nice to look out my back window and see those vines instead of weeds. Besides, I need a time consuming hobby in a few years when the kids are older.

I'll probably contact the local vineyard and see if they can help. I'd probably sell grapes to them if everything works out...It'll be a while before I cna sell grapes or make viine, but it'll be a fun experiment.

[cbush]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What's caused the boom in the American vino industry? There are a lot of vineyards springing up in OK

Good question- I suspect it has to do with hybrid grapes, and different types of grapes that are suitable across a wider range of weather and soil conditions. Also I think the science of wine-making has also expanded where you can get a better quality of wine out of lesser quality grapes.

Changes in liquor laws also help- I suspect Prohibition even though repealed many years ago stunted our domestic wine industry much as it did our domestic beer industry.

Finally, success breed success. Although a rich man's hobby to some point, as more local winery's are fiscally solvent, folks can get capital to start up or expand.

I prefer local wines- have some very good ones here in VA, and local wine festivals give them the exposure needed to expand.

[Rot 911]

Souk, where did you move to? Seems like just yesterday you were fighting to get a garage built at your house.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

What's caused the boom in the American vino industry? There are a lot of vineyards springing up in OK

In addition to what others have said, in a word, "blends".

For table wines, the target for me, they need good quality grapes of specific varieties to ensure the right blend of grapes for, for example, a table grade Merlot.

While my farm is lovely and scenic, it is not, nor will it ever be, Napa...

[MotoSook]

LOL! The HOA president and board members are still recovering from the slap down I gave them when I built my garage. I should run for a board position until we sell the old house, just to really piss them off.


We moved further west to a "rural property." It's rural but only about 6 miles (or 10 minutes) from the old house. If it had been any further, the wife would have never agreed to it. So we have 16 acres right on the outskirts of the next town west of the old town. It's a small town, so it's 5 mintues from our house to downtown and another 5 minutes to shopping and such. It's just right...not to rural and I'm the HOA. LOL!

It would be cool of I can put good yielding vines on 3-5 acres. There's probably .75 acres of orchard at the moment, but the wife want's more.....OK. We can make wine with apples and pears too.

[vash]

dont you owe us some photos of the pond?

16 acres would be wonderful!! wine and pond bass fishing...you're living the dream!

[MotoSook]

No good pics to post, Cliff. Now everything is frozen! Not much of a dream when it's 1 deg F out. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some good pics this weekend of the winter (not so) wonderland.

[Tobra]

Take some shots in black and white, always looks good with snow on the ground in B&W.

If you have your spot all picked out, you can do some soil amendment prior to putting the vines out.