KSU Viticulture
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 Getting Started

The Grape and Wine Industry has resurged in Kentucky. Before embarking upon the potentially risky venture of growing grapes, however, you need to carefully research this growing market. Ask yourself some questions, for example, Is there a market for my grapes? Is the land and climate in my area suitable for grape production? Am I starting a winery myself or selling grapes to a contracted processor? How do I become contracted to a winery? What varieties should I choose and what price can I get? Do I have the land for my vineyard or winery? Do I have the budget needed? and most important, can I make money from growing grapes? To get this information, you should garner as much information as you can: visit trade journals and research pubs, attend grape workshops and conferences, visit other vineyards, talk to the owners and  take advantage of their experience. Also, be aware that a vine planting commits the land to a pattern of use for many years, and you won't get any profits until you are able to sell your grapes or wines.

"A marketing system for Kentucky’s table grapes does not exist. Kentucky has two types of winery licenses, determined by production volume: the Farm Winery license and the Small Winery license. Several wineries operating in the state are interested in purchasing certain cultivars of high-quality, Kentucky-grown grapes. If you are considering growing for a winery, consult the winery prior to planting to find out which cultivars are needed....... The Kentucky Vineyard Society helps bring together buyers and growers of table grapes. The Cooperative Extension Service also has useful information concerning marketing of fresh produce. ...... You can obtain variety performance data from the University of Kentucky" (from UK: Growing grape in Kentucky).

The estimated cost for one acre of vineyard in the first three years (from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Viticulture Program):

The estimated cost for the first three years would be amount $8,500.

Also, read on the budget information on growing European wine grapes, hybrid wine grapes, table grapes and grape cost and return from Horticultural Department, University of Kentucky. TOP

Selecting Varieties

Generally, European, American and French hybrid cultivars are available to be chosen. In Kentucky, growing European grapes can be risky since the extreme low temperatures, which could kill somewhat cold-tender European cultivars,  happen in most winters; late spring frosts, which happen in May when new shoots and flower clusters have grown for a while, could be badly damaged; and the high humidity challenge vinifera with lots of bad diseases, e.g. black rot. Also, insect management, e.g., Japanese beetle could be difficult. So, European cultivars are not so highly recommended as American cultivars and Hybrids. However, European cultivar might be still adaptable to Kentucky, first Kentucky has enough heat units to ripen those vines, second growers can employ relative hardy cultivars, cold hardy rootstocks, and winter protection practices (like mounding) to reduce the disadvantage, and therefore take advantage of relatively higher price from European grapes. KSU will initiate vinifera cultivar trials which should generate some useful information in a couple of years. UK has been conducting research with some selected vinifera grapes. Some preliminary information is available on their website.

According to the surveys done by UK extension staff, wine grapes with relatively large acreage in Kentucky are American cultivars Concord, Niagara, Norton; Hybrids Cayuga white, Chambourcin, Chardonel, M. Foch, Traminette, Seyval, Vidal blanc, Vignoles; and European cultivars Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. I think some new cultivars/selections developed by Elmer Swenson (Lacrosse, Prairie Star etc), University of Minnesota and Cornell University can also be worth of trying. For table grapes, cultivars from University of Arkansas can be tried. Our table grape trial will be started in April, 2005. for more information on cultivar selection, please read UK publication Growing Grapes in Kentucky.                TOP

Site Selection

Site selection is simply the choice of a vineyard site to optimize vineyard performance regarding projected yield, wine quality or cost of production.

Know your climate (Macroclimate, also called regional climate). First, grape cultivars vary in the length of growing season to mature quality berries. Red cultivars need longer growing season to mature than white cultivars. A minimum 165-day growing season is required.  Most important, you need to know your winter minimum temperatures and the latest frost in spring. University of Kentucky Weather Center can provide you the information related to the climate in your area. The table below tells you the temperature at which significant winter injury to tissues begins. Please note that grape buds are more susceptible to winter damage than can and truck tissues.

The following table from "Vineyard Establishment I", Michigan State University Extension may be helpful in site selection. "How many years out of ten can one expect highly productive vines with the anticipated levels of winter injury for a specific vineyard site/grape variety combination?" would be a good question to ask!

Vineyard site classifications based on winter minimum temperatures.

Know the factors that influence the mesoclimate (topoclimate or site climate, while microclimate deals within a canopy). Factors that influence the determination of a vineyard site include elevation (temperature drops by 0.6°C for every 100 meter increase in elevation), slope and aspect (influence air and water drainage, wind speed etc. A slope is preferred since cold air can drain down the hill, but steep slope should be avoided soil erosion), proximity to large bodies of water (to store heat and reduce both diurnal and seasonal temperatures).   

a. A warm site misses spring and early autumn frost

b. Some counteracted advantage from "a"

c. A cold site but less prone to frost damage

d. A cold site where frost damage occurs

e. Less frosty than "d". Should have a wind break as shown

f. The wind break blocks cold air drainage.

g. Less frosty than "e" but prevailing wind may slow heat units accumulation in summer (from David Jackson)

Know your soil. Grapes grow in a wide range of soil types. They grow best in deep, well-drained soil although "all grapes have an affection for gravel, flint, slate, or stony soils". Vine roots are typically concentrated in the upper 36 inches of the soil although they are able to penetrate 20 feet deep. Before any real planting happens, test your soil samples so that you have an idea about your soil type, organic matter content, pH, and possibly mineral contents of N, P, K etc.

Other factors to consider. Cropping history, the prevailing winds, pest and disease incidence, deer and bird population, distance to major road, human factors etc. all have to be taken into account.

Site selection check list

_____Air drainage - will cold air drain away from the vineyard site? A slope is preferred.

_____Water drainage - does water drain readily through the soil profile?

_____Soil characteristics - pH 5.5 to 7.0; soil depth at least 2 feet; organic matter 1-3% and appropriate minerals (actual pounds per acre, phosphorous - 40 to 50, boron - 1.5 to 2.0 and zinc - 8 to 10; and exchangeable pounds per acre, potassium - 250 to 300 and magnesium - 200 to 250)

_____Exposure to prevailing winds - excessive winds can be damaging, but winds  help dry the foliage after a rain or dew, thus helping minimize disease incidence.

_____Length of growing season - depending upon cultivar, a frost-free period of 165 days are more desirable. TOP