Clone and rootstock selection

Emilio,

You might consider Pinot Noir or Chardonnay out there in that cool climate instead of Zin. And unless you're grafting your own, you might have to select from what the nurseries have left; the selection gets slim by this time of the year. See what they recommend, and what your neighbors are growing (most likely Pinot & Chard).

Furthermore, the rootstock really depends on your soil type/conditions, and to some extent the irrigation, trellising, and canopy management you plan to use. Check with the U.C. Cooperative Extension County Farm Advisor:

Phone: (707) 565-2621 Fax: (707) 565-2623

Web site:

If you do go with Zin, I imagine they'd suggest a vigorous rootstock such as St. George or 100R.

Good Luck! -Rob

Emilio, Your primary problem is going to be getting the fruit to ripen. For at least the first five years limit them to no more than one fruit cluster per shoot, two shoots every fist width on the cordon arms, and remove everything else. If you have good sun exposure you might be able to up the production on warm years after the vine is fully mature, 7+ years.

Since it's a home operation you should do ok with just planting vineyard cuttings. Get them now while they are pruning, wrap them in burlap and store them in a cool, slightly damp environment. Make 18" cuttings from pruned canes, 45 degree angle at the top and leave 2 buds, shave off the lower buds otherwise you will have suckers galore for many years to come. You are susceptible to frost where you are, especially if on flat ground or low area, so plant no sooner than the third or fourth week of April. Otherwise I would recommend contacting one of the local vineyard nurseries NOW to hold any dormant benchgrafts they may have left over. Your selection for this years plantings will be very limited.

Good Luck Frank

I agree with most of what you are saying; however, don't overlook the fact that here in Sonoma and Napa, we have very diverse areas of climate and terrior. While Sonoma Valley, and even parts of the Russian River Valley, can produce some excellent old vine Zins, they may not do so well in Green Valley, which is cooler, densely forested, influenced by marine air, and gets heavy fog and rainfall. We have 100+ year old head trained Zin vines in RRV that do exceptionally well, but they are farther inland and North, where it's warmer, dryer, and much sunnier

There are varieties better suited to Emilio's area than Zin, but he certainly can't hurt anything trying to grow it. I'd say go for it and lets us know how it goes!

-Rob

I agree with most of what you are saying; however, don't overlook the fact that here in Sonoma and Napa, we have very diverse areas of climate and terrior. While Sonoma Valley, and even parts of the Russian River Valley, can produce some excellent old vine Zins, they may not do so well in Green Valley, which is cooler, densely forested, influenced by marine air, and gets heavy fog and rainfall. We have 100+ year old head trained Zin vines in RRV that do exceptionally well, but they are farther inland and North, where it's warmer, dryer, and much sunnier

There are varieties better suited to Emilio's area than Zin, but he certainly can't hurt anything trying to grow it. I'd say go for it and lets us know how it goes! -Rob

Emilio -

While I love zin, I worry for you putting these heat-loving grapes out there. Not that they won't grow, but that you'll be trying to figure out why they still aren't ripe at Christmas.

Here's an idea - You could grow "colder" grapes (such as Pinot, Chardonnay, or even Sauv Blanc or Riesling) where you are, and get a trade arrangement with someone out there with a backyard vinyard in a warmer area (such as Alexander Valley, Upper Sonoma or Napa Valley, Lodi or Livermore) that has zin going.

Maybe that would help.

Rob

Also check out the following link.

Frank

Another link to this Green Valley Zin

Frank