Forum Replies Created
David HicksHi Kevin, As you already know while Torontes grapes are rare in the New World as they are common in Spain and Portugal. Likely most of us won’t know where to find them locally but if you haven’t already, go on line and search for grape vine nurseries of which there are about 10 in California and start calling. It is also possible that vine nurseries in Texas may have them because West Texas grows a lot of Iberian grapes. Basic dialing for grape vines is your best option. David Hicks
David HicksHi Kay. You’ve got the orientation issue about right re: owls. Suggest you do research on what type of owls are in your area and select your box accordingly. I have large white barn owls in Lake County and have had 3 families over about 15 years with the box. If your owls are like mine and they have more that one egg the first hatched will likely throw the smaller chicks out of the nest, so be prepared for that. You’re only going to need one boxmand if possible you should place in between any woods or tree area on or near your property but closer to the wooded area. Most N Cal owls hunt at night and regularly hang out in wooded areas. Good luck David Hicks
David HicksHi Peter. Assuming from your comments that someone else has been making wine from your grapes? The chemistry of wine is one of the most important factors after grape quality and sanitation of the winemaking environment. The basics are PH, i.e. acidity, and TA, titratable acidity among others. If those two are not in balance within acceptable guidelines the wine will fall apart. The best way to achieve good results is in the field growing the grapes, but all winemakers use these two and many other Chem results to shepherd their wines to completion. If you would care to learn more I suggest buying “Grapes into Wine” by Sheldon Warrick as one of the best and easiest to understand winemaking books. As the Covid plague subsides the board is planning educational and training sessions with guest speakers on this and other subjects. In the meantime some self education is a good start.
P.S. Alcohol levels while interesting is not something home winemakers pay much attention.
David Hicks
David HicksThere are a number of labs all around the Bay Area. I use Enartis in St Helena with great success. They have other locations throughout the greater area that may be more convenient for you but you can also overnight send your samples to any lab.
All labs perform the full array of testing both vit and eno. But if you haven’t already I suggest purchased a basic kit do so and don’t stint on quality. Testing labs panels will second your results as well as give you the results of test you cannot do. The things to never stint on are: testing tools, grape quality, corks and seals, and barrels. David Hicks
David HicksHi Marek, David Hicks here, I the AVA vineyard consultant. Suggest we speak by phone so I can get a sense of your issues. There are several services that do cost money and have widely varying services. Feel free to call me at 925 .997.1997. I’m in Lafayette this week. Until then.
David Hicks
David HicksHi Eric, I’m of the opinion that starting new plantings with dormant bench grafts with your cultivar of choice grafted to the rootstock of choice is best. The nursery will advise on rootstock when you tell them where you are and your soil condition. Additionally it cuts at least a year off your growth and fruiting cycle. A challenge could be to find a rootstock nursery that will sell you a handful of product, suspect most will. You can look up nurseries, there is one between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, another is on Highway 12 going out of Santa Rosa toward Sonoma. There also might be one in the Livermore Valley. Best to get on is as April is the best month for planting dormant bench grafts. DH
David HicksHi Eric, I’m of the opinion that starting new plantings with dormant bench grafts with your cultivar of choice grafted to the rootstock of choice is best. The nursery will advise on rootstock when you tell them where you are and your soil condition. Additionally it cuts at least a year off your growth and fruiting cycle. A challenge could be to find a rootstock nursery that will sell you a handful of product, suspect most will. You can look up nurseries, there is one between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, another is on Highway 12 going out of Santa Rosa toward Sonoma. There also might be one in the Livermore Valley. Best to get on is as April is the best month for planting dormant bench grafts. DH
David HicksHi Eric, I’m of the opinion that starting new plantings with dormant bench grafts with your cultivar of choice grafted to the rootstock of choice is best. The nursery will advise on rootstock when you tell them where you are and your soil condition. Additionally it cuts at least a year off your growth and fruiting cycle. A challenge could be to find a rootstock nursery that will sell you a handful of product, suspect most will. You can look up nurseries, there is one between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, another is on Highway 12 going out of Santa Rosa toward Sonoma. There also might be one in the Livermore Valley. Best to get on is as April is the best month for planting dormant bench grafts. DH
David HicksHi Eric, sorry for the slow reply. Thought this system had recents on the top not the bottom of the scroll so I missed your question. Assume you finished pruning? Two things to consider in pruning timing. Also best to knock it off all a once, i.e. don’t do it over 2 weekends. Wait till at least mid Feb and/or wait till there has been at least a couple nights of sub 32* temp. With global warming, waiting till end of Feb seems the best bet, but be sure to get on it at that time, like today? DH
David HicksHi Kevin and Charles. Responding to your questions, there are resources available but from what you wrote I’m not totally clear what you are attempting to do and how you care to get it done. Suggest that we intro by phone to discuss? After which I can recommend several possibilities for you folks to consider.
I can be reached by phone at 925.997.1997 in Lafayette.
David Hicks, Ancient Lake Vineyards.
David HicksIn response to Ms. Schmaiers reply regarding painting the cut wounds. This cut wound painting issue came up when I took my courses at Davis during a 6 hours stint pruning in a growers vineyard in the foothills. The Davis instructors said to never do it. It was something I saw done in Oak trees 60 years ago around my area in Lake County. No professional grape growers I know ever paint over a properly prune wound cut. Cut wounds need to be at least 1/2 inch above the cordon or a bud on the cane and should be cut at about an average of 20* so that if the cut does bleed that the sap will run off and a thin coating will seal the wound. Best way to prevent bleed is to prune as late as possible but before push. DH
BTW the comments regarding rain and timing are right on.
David HicksHi Eric, Board member David Hicks here. I would suggest that you wait until till at least end of January. We had a warm fall and very few freezes to shut the vines down. My vineyard is in Lake County at 1400 ft elevation and all the local pro vineyards start pruning in early Feb. You don’t want any capillary action going on in the vines. With capillary action stopped the cuts can scab over and the the new buds zones can be protected much more effectively. But suggest you do it by mid February because the weather this year seems like a dry warm winter. Regards, DH
David HicksHi Merek, Daniels recommendations are appropriate for someone who wants to have the work done be a professional service. Before using such a service I would suggest you use this off time we all have to research home vineyards, cultivar and root types, sun/vine exposure, irrigation etc. if you have not so that already. There is a lot of info available on the web sites of UC Davis, Napa College etc. Better yet you could take one of the weekend intro courses those schools offer on home vineyard installations. The more you know about what is doable the easier your decision making will be toward getting a vineyard you will like.
David Hicks, grape grower/winemaker.
David HicksHi Jessica, My name is David Hicks and I am a board member of LWGA. My suggestion for you to get acquainted with our group is to attend our next on-line board meeting as a guest. To do so I would suggest you introduce yourself to our president Daniel Howsepian [ph # 925 858 7000 ] who is best placed to fill you on how we operate as a board and AVA and discuss ways in which you can participate within members. All but 3 of our board are bonded winemakers and all but one is also a grower, and all make good wine. I took the entire vit and enology extension program at Davis starting in 2003 and many others have taken the same or similar courses. Larry Thal a board member is building an AVA based tasting room and winery in addition to a catering kitchen on Mt. Diablo near the Wine Thieves. Lots going on with our group, but now slowed by the lockdown. But things will get back to normal and I’m sure the board will be interested in connecting with you. David Hicks 925.997.1997.
David HicksHi Bill, A lot of highly varied info you are seeking. Much easier to get you proper answers with a voice conversation especially as you are just getting started. There is a lot to this and if you would care to have a conversation feel free to call and perhaps I can point you in some correct directions?
Background: 15 years growing grapes, 11 years as a winemaker, numerous gold medal winning wines, Lamorinda AVA board member.
Ph: 925.997.1997 David Hicks
