- Author: Emily C. Dooley
![UC Davis graduate student measures photosynthesis on cabernet sauvignon grapevines](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/food/blogfiles/85826small.jpg)
Study finds using less doesn't compromise quality
California grape growers in coastal areas can use less water during times of drought and cut irrigation levels without affecting crop yields or quality, according to a new
- Author: Amy Quinton, UC Davis News and Media Relations
![Grape growers can save between 60% to 80% of labor operation costs per acre by using mechanical pruning instead of hand pruning alone. Photo by Hector Amezcua, UC Davis](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/food/blogfiles/82226small.jpg)
Wine grape growers in California and elsewhere face increasing labor costs and severe labor shortages, making it difficult to manage and harvest a vineyard while maintaining profitability. Growers are increasingly turning to machines for pruning, canopy management and harvesting, but how well these practices are executed can substantially affect yield and quality. A new
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
![Mechanical removal of winegrape shoots can reduce the amount of hand labor needed for vineyard management. Photo by Kaan Kurtural](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/food/blogfiles/64803small.jpg)
New studies provide details about trellis type, planting density, cost and potential benefit of vineyard mechanization
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Agricultural Issues Center has released four new studies detailing the costs and returns of wine grape production in the southern San Joaquin Valley. All four cost studies illustrate the cost and benefit of nearly full mechanization on wine grape production.
The studies estimate the cost of establishing a vineyard and producing wine grapes, focusing on four wine grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Rubired and Colombard.
“Those studies take into consideration mechanical...
- Author: Debra Sommerfield, Lake County Winegrape Commission
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
![Andy Beckstoffer and David Beckstoffer plant their 1.5 millionth vine in cabernet sauvignon rootstock and clonal trial at Amber Knolls in Lake County. All photos courtesy of LCWC/Karen Pavone Photography](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/food/blogfiles/62593small.jpg)
UC Cooperative Extension, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Duarte Nursery are launching the wine industry's most ambitious cabernet sauvignon rootstock and clone trial in the Red Hills of Lake County to give the varietal greater resilience to climate change.
Cabernet sauvignon is California's second top-selling varietal by volume, just behind chardonnay.
“We have been growing cabernet sauvignon since the 1970s, and we are very proud to be part of this trial, which will help improve cabernet sauvignon growing for years to come,” said Andy Beckstoffer, owner and CEO of Beckstoffer Vineyards,...
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
![Labor costs about 7 cents per vine for managing the “touchless” vineyard, compared to $1 in the conventional vineyard, says Kaan Kurtural, UC Cooperative Extension specialist.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/food/blogfiles/53404small.jpg)
Will machines replace the romance of the hand-cultivated wine grape vineyard? A “touchless” vineyard was among the latest research on labor shortages, weeds and pest management by UC Cooperative Extension scientists discussed at Grape Day at the UC Davis Oakville Station, located in the epicenter of California wine country, on June 6.
About 200 wine grape growers, vineyard consultants and other industry people attended to learn about the latest UC Cooperative Extension research. Vineyard managers from boutique wineries such as Fork in the Road to Pine Ridge Vineyards to the Fortune 500 wine company Constellation Brands gathered at the research station's...