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The grape vine is where it starts if you like wine. Developing the root stock is an industry where science embraces Mother Nature in the finest ways. Cloning, growing and then planting the root stock is raw science that goes to the core of everything; even human existence...DNA. It's the graft above the ground the produces a new clone of a varietal vine that produces the grape that makes the wine.
We see where grapes come from, but where do the vines come from? I've got the answer to this mystery; it's the nursery just like the place you pick out your plants for spring planting. There is a slight difference because it is very high tech. Napa has the oldest grapevine nursery in California.
Nurseries turn out some very prestigious root stock that can have some very impressive pedigrees. Some of vines have pedigree's involving very prestigious root stock. And yes, vineyard owners validate the stock from DNA testing. To support this industry many of California's premier universities offer degrees in viticulture.
Nurseries use cold storage facilities (that's where the dormant grapevines are stored awaiting sale), this will keep the vine fresh and dormant. It would not be unusual for a grapevine nursery to offer about 15 clones of the Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 clones of the Chardonnay and an equal number of Pinot Noir clones. When a vineyard decides to replant, for a number of reasons, these clones are what make a vineyard owner excitable. Two things are critical when it comes to a new planting: 1.The characteristics of the cloned varietal, and 2. the root system. The cloned varietals are breed to influence such things as the ultimate yield or tannins or make for early ripening of the fruit. The root system/stock is important because that is what is dictated by soil conditions and climate where the vines are to be planted.
What is a 'clone'? Well, Junior High biology comes into play here. The root stock is selected that will receive a piece("sprig" to me) of another vine with the desired DNA. What grows is the new vine that will produce the cloned fruit. Grafting is exactly that; slice off a branch of the clone vine you want and cut a notch into the root stock and splice that cloning piece into the root stock and wrap it tightly and put it in the ground for 1 year to grow. That is a very simplistic description, Assuming that grafting happens, then in 1 year that root stock is harvested and put into cold dark storage to make it dormant and until planted in the vineyard. Once in the vineyard it will take 3 years for that new cloned varietal to produce fruit. This is just one of many reason why wine is so precious.
A vine will sell for $3-$4 each and there are about 1,000 vines per acre; sometime 2,000 or more. Right now vineyard owners are cautious in new plantings because of the downturn in the economy.
Vines can live for 150-200 years, so who buys new vines? There are of course new vineyards being planted in such places as Texas, Michigan, NC, Virginia and California; they require new root stock. Then there are new plantings due to old vines producing poor yields. Then there are the ever present ravages of disease. Finally, marketing considerations brought on by the ever changing tastes of the consumer that demands new varietal wines."
Some nurseries in the U.S. are licensed by the European clone developers association called ENTAV. This is the European body that test root stock and genetics, develops new clones and breeds new clones for ever changing vineyard conditions. UC Davis is also the premier institution in California that helps keep new vine heritage on the forefront of evolution.
Steven S. Lay has been in the travel and corporate meetings business for 30 years and is now focused exclusively on small luxury corporate gatherings in Wine Country. More information about his company, Symtrek Partners, is available at http://www.symtrekpartners.com/
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