E4-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 7, 2002 Winegrower Tastes Benefits Of Research, Hard Work (Continued from Page E 1) “A lot of people think you can only grow grapes in poor er soils,” he said. “I realized a lot of grapes are grown in sim ilar ag areas (to Lancaster County).” Waltz began cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon and Mer lot, two popular varieties used for making red wine. He chose quality, virus-free vines from California and New York to plant in his well-drained silt loam fields. He now has a total of 10 acres in grapes. The vines are supported by a high-tensile wire “Scott Henry” trellis system, named after the Oregon grape grower who developed it. In this type of trellis, the vines are trained to grow horizontally at two Sam Zook, hired worker, tightens trellis wires in Jan Waltz’s vineyards. The aWL * AV DM&SpP I [LBqjwMI P&sxS Nutra-Flo® Pure Grade™ Liquid Plant Food has the highest nutrient usability available. When applied in-furrow, 2x2, foliar or in a transplant solution, you achieve greater fertilizer efficiency with lower rates... resulting in greater profits. Will Not Rust Equipment... Low Rates per Acre Low Salt... Chloride-Free... Neutral pH 100% Available... Lower Costs, Higher Yields 10-10-10 5-15-15 9-18-9 Above Grades Include Micronutrient Package Ask about 0-0-30, 20-0-0-8 & RGS - the Root Growth Stimulator Buy Direct and SAVE! PARS, Inc. Elizabethtown, PA • 800-929-2676 CALL TODAY' Reduce your fertilizer bill when you buy direct from the distributor Dealers wanted Protected territories available levels, with the goal of increas ing fruit set while maintaining a thin profile of the vines and leaves to allow good air circu lation. Rows are spaced eight feet apart. The young vines come grafted onto rootstock that is best adapted for local growing conditions. The vines normal ly take three years to produce. Waltz selected relatively slow-growing rootstock be cause of the native fertility of his soils, and the vines need minimal fertilization. Waltz applies small amounts of ni trogen in the spring and keeps an eye on micronutriert levels through soil tests. There are no set guidelines for growing grapes in the area, according to Waltz. “We went through a lot of trial and error,” he said. “There’s not any one book telling you how to do it in this part of the country.” Growing wine grapes in volves constant learning, talk ing to other local growers, and traveling, Waltz said. Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are also “really working to devel op a better industry,” along with the Pennsylvania Associ ation of Wine Growers, of which Waltz is a state direc tor. Weeds are handled with a cultivator designed for run ning alongside the vine rows. Hilling soil around the grafts in the fall to pro- | tect them from freezing I Lancaster Farming Check out our Website www.lancasterfarmma.com We We have information and experience with new and existing SEMINIS varieties that are changing the market and may return you more profit. We can help! Call us today. We are committed to your success. Siegers eed co. Call 800-962-4999 for a FREE catalog or visit www siegers com dSeminis. V Vegetable Seeds also helps control weeds the following spring. Waltz uses no herbicides. For insects mostly the grapeberry moth he applies pesticide once or twice per season, mainly around the pe rimeters of the vineyard. Jap anese beetles can also be a problem, but Waltz strives to keep spraying to a minimum, in part to protect helpful in sects. “There are so many benefi cials that are important,” he said. Waltz applies fungicides on a more regular basis, rotating the chemicals as much as pos help. CcllT - s *. " t V a Blake Myers Phil Short Central & Eastern PA Western PA (877)879-1407 (419)445-1700 sible to manage disease resis tance. Systemic fungicides have a longer lasting effect. Marketing is a major part of a successful wine-growing business. It’s crucial to re search markets, even before starting to grow grapes, and to secure buyers before expand ing, according to Waltz. “If you want to grow grapes, you’ve got to have a market,” he said. Waltz’s goal is “to maxi mize revenue per acre.” He chose Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, French nonhybrid (Turn to Page ES)
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