Return to the Southwestern Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
Posted by naz_grower (My Page) on Sun, Jan 25, 09 at 18:33
Hi,
I have been wanting to plant some varietal grapes on my property in Flagstaff,AZ and would like to hear some opinions on what would be most fitting for my needs and climate.
I would like a grape that I can ferment, preferably a white wine grape like Chardonnay or Gewurztraminer. The climate here at 7,000 feet can be rough on outdoor plants. On summer days it can go from near 90F in the day and get quite cold at night. The sun can be quite intense, so I could locate them in partial shade if necessary. I figure an early fruiting variety would be ideal as frost can show up late in the spring and early in the fall.
Any ideas or suggestions???
Thanks,
Matthew |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
| Contact your cooperative extension service. They should have info or provide links for you. |
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
Thanks for the reply. We don't have a coop here in Flagstaff, and the local nurseries don't know much about what I'm looking for. They just point me to other vines that bear fruit, but not grapes of any sort. I am reading through a book "Vines to Wines" which is not getting so specific to what I need, and still haven't turned up anything impressive on the internet.
Thanks,
Matthew |
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
| U of A is the state ag. school and is home to the extension service. Google them and search for, I think, the Horticulture and/or garden site. I've use UA's site for other reasons and most often found what I was looking for. I know New Mexico State U has a wine guy at the it's extension service, check it out if you don't get anywhere at UA. Another thought, google 'wine growing in (what ever your zone is)' and see what you get. Good hunting. |
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
| At least as important as the variety itself is the rootstock that it's grafted to. Outside of Australia virtually all vinifera are grafted (phylloxera). Sonoma Grape Vines used to have a great system and could send you the varietal you wanted grafted to a rootstock suited to your climate - but they are defunct. This is way beyond the expertise you can expect from your local garden center. Offhand I guess Italian or Chilean varietals are a place to start. Gewurtz? No. Chard may work, but only with the right rootstock. Sonoma was about the only place I know that knew their stuff and would bother talking to you unless you were ordering at least a few thousand vines. NMSU lists some varieties that I'm not familiar with and wouldn't know where to purchase. The 7K elevation is both good and bad. I don't think anyone grows wine grapes commercially at that elelation, but that no reaon you shouldn't try. |
Here is a link that might be useful: nmsu
RE: Varietal grape growing in Northern AZ
| | |
| Thanks for the replies everybody. After doing much more searching around, I think I may settle to some other type of grape or other climbing vine fruit that is also visually attractive. I make wines out of many types of fruit, and feel I may have better success with something that doesn't take quite as much attention. Great wine is made in the vineyard, not the fermentation, right. Also, some other types of fruit being established on the property may make it more appealing to a potential buyer years down the road when I do decide to move. |
|
|
|
|
