Grape and Wine Production in the Four Corners Region Item Type text; Book Authors Mielke, Eugene A.; Dutt, Gordon R.; Hughes, Sam K.; Wolfe, Wade H.; Loeffler, Gregory J.; Gomez, Ricardo; Bryant, M. Douglas; Watson, John; Schick, Seth H. Publisher College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Rights Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents. The University of Arizona. Download date 03/10/2021 23:02:35 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/602124 Technical Bulletin 239 University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station CORN% Eot S:;:, 9FC/ONAL COOS Grape and Wine Production in the Four Corners Region This is a report of research performed with financial assistance from the Four Corners Regional Commission Grape and Wine Production in the Four Corners Region UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA TECHNICAL BULLETIN 239 REGIONAL PUBLICATION Eugene A. Mielke Gordon R. Dutt Sam K. Hughes Wade H. Wolfe University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Gregory J. Loeffler Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station Ricardo Gomez M. Douglas Bryant John Watson New Mexico State University Seth,H, Schick Schick International, Inc. Salt Lake City, Utah CONTENTS Chapter Page INTRODUCTION 2 1 CLIMATE 3 Climatic Regions 4 Climatic Characterization of the Region 6 2 SOILS 24 Factors Affecting Soil Formation 25 Delineation of Grape- Growing Areas 28 Site Selection 31 3 VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT 34 Land Preparation 35 Laying Out the Vineyard 35 Planting Stock 37 Propagation 38 4 TRAINING NEW VINEYARDS 41 Training 42 Pruning 46 Pruning Systems 47 Supports 49 5 VINEYARD MAINTENANCE 51 Fertilization 52 Water Quality 54 Irrigation 55 Weed Control 59 6 PESTS, DISEASES AND DISORDERS 61 Fungal Diseases 62 Bacterial Diseases 64 Viral Diseases 64 Nematodes 64 Insect Pests 64 Other Pests 65 Non -Parasitic Disorders 66 Weather Injury 67 7 SPECIAL VINE TREATMENTS 71 Girdling 72 Gibberellin 73 Thinning 73 Preparation for Dormancy 74 8 COST ANALYSIS 76 9 ENOLOGY 87 The Plan 88 Equipment 90 Wine Production 92 White Wines 93 Red Wines 95 Rose Wines 97 Dessert Wines 97 Sparkling Wines 97 Other Wines 98 Sensory Evaluation 98 Experimental or Small Wine Production 98 Methods of Chemical Analysis 99 10 DISCUSSION OF VITICULTURAL AND ENOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIETIES RECOMMENDED FOR THE FOUR CORNERS REGION. 103 FIGURES 1. Mean minimum January temperature (F). 9 2. All time minimum temperature (F). 9 3. Mean average January temperatures (F). 9 4. Mean maximum July temperatures (F). 9 5. Maximum recorded temperatures (F). 10 6. Mean July surface temperatures (F). 10 7. Mean annual surface temperatures (F). 10 8. Average annual precipitation. 10 9. Average annual number of thunderstorms. 11 10. Average annual evaporation from open water surfaces. 11 11. Percent of normal winter sunshine. 11 12. Regional divisions of Arizona. 11 13. Average January temperatures (F) in Arizona. 12 14. Average July temperatures (F) in Arizona. 12 15. The relationship between mean temperature and altitude in Arizona. 12 16. The relationship between altitude and the length of the growing season in Arizona. 12 17. Length of growing season in Arizona. 13 18. Frequency and date of occurrence of first frost and last spring frost in Tucson. 13 19. Average annual precipitation in Arizona. 13 20. Average monthly precipitation in the six regions of Arizona. 13 21. The correlation between rainfall and altitude in Arizona. 14 22. The average daily maximum temperature - humidity (comfort) index for Arizona in July. 14 23. Average January temperatures in Colorado. 14 24. Average July temperatures in Colorado. 15 25. Length of growing season in Colorado. 15 26. Average precipitation in Colorado. 16 27. Mean January temperatures for New Mexico. 16 28. Mean July temperatures for New Mexico. 16 29. The correlation between mean January temperatures and elevation. 17 30. The correlation between July temperatures and elevation. 17 31. The correlation between all time low tempera- tures and elevation in New Mexico. 17 32. Growing degree day accumulation for New Mexico. 18 33. The correlation between growing days (base 50 F) and elevation in New Mexico. 18 34. Length of growing season (frost -free days) in New Mexico. 18 35. The Correlation between season length and altitude in New Mexico. 19 36. Average annual precipitation in New Mexico. 19 37. Average annual evapotranspiration in New Mexico between 1931 to 1955 by Thornthwaite formula. 19 38. Mean January temperatures (F) in Utah. 20 39. Mean July temperatures (F) in Utah. 20 40. Length of growing season in Utah. 20 41. Average annual precipitation in Utah. 20 42. Wine grape production areas in California. 21 43. Mean minimum January temperatures in California. 21 44. Mean maximum July temperatures in California. 21 45. Length of growing season (frost -free days) in California. 21 46. Climatic regions of California based on growing degree days (base 50 F). 22 47. Average annual precipitation (inches) in California. 22 48. Extreme minimum temperatures occurring in Washington. 22 49. Length of growing season (days between 32 F) occurring in Washington. 23 50. Average growing degree days (base 50 F) for Washington. 23 51. Soil Associations Map of the Four Corners Region. 27 52. Reconnaissance Survey. 31 53. Detailed Soil Survey. 31 54. White House. 32 55. Bernardino. 32 56. Sonoita. 32 57. Pima. 33 58. Hathaway. 33 59. The four -cane Kniffen system. 42 60. The bi- lateral cordon training system. 42 61. Vine (first year) in dormant condition and after pruning. 43 62. Formation of the trunk during the second growing season. 43 63. Appearance of a vigorously growing cane pruned vine. 44 64. Cordon trained vine. 44 65. Head trained vine after third growing season. 44 66. Cane pruned vine at the end of the third growing season. 45 67. The Umbrella Kniffen System. 45 68. The four -caned system for table fruit production. 46 69. The fan -shaped training system. 46 70. The Economic Balance. 88 71. Labor. 89 72. Wooden barrel prices. 90 73. Batch press. 90 74. Stainless steel fermenters. 90 TABLES 1. Average annual precipitation and percentage of annual precipitation that falls between May and October in each of the major sections in Arizona. 7 2. Soils used for grape production in California. 29 3. Soils used for grape production in Washington. 29 4. Soils used for experimental plots in the Four Corners States 30 5. Influence of regions on grape acidity and wine color. 30 6. Acidity of grapes growing in Four Corners Viticultural Regions and California zones. 30 7. Nutrient Composition of Grape Petioles. 54 8. Water Quality for Grape Irrigation. 55 9. Cost of Establishing Table Grapes in a Hot Region. 78 10. Cost of Establishing Wine Grapes in a Hot Region. 79 11. Cost of Establishing Trellised Wine Grapes in a Cool Region. 80 12. Cost of Production of Girdled Table Grapes in a Hot Region. 81 13. Cost of Production of Non -Girdled Table Grapes in a Hot Region. 82 14. Cost of Producing Thompson Seedless Grapes for Wine in a Hot Region. 83 15. Cost of Producing Wine Grapes in a Hot Region. 84 16. Costs of Producing Trellised, Irrigated, Wine Grapes in a Cool Region. 85 17. Trellising Costs. 86 18. Sample Costs of Table Wine Wineries. 89 INTRODUCTION The states of the Four Corner Region, Arizona, Col- system dependent on soil properties and altitude has orado, New Mexico and Utah, have been experiencing been developed and is used to describe five different great change as the 21st century approaches. With popu- viticulture regions, see page 28. lation increases and industrial expansion, the natural re- Grape varieties that are adapted to and produce sources of the states are becoming strained. It seems grapes whose wines are found to be of a commercially clear that better ways must be found to utilize our re- acceptable quality in the viticulture regions (denoted as sources so as to provide a better life for our citizens. In HT, Ti, Tm, Th, and M) are given on page 100. agriculture it would seem that the development of crops Results of research conducted on winter injury prob- which utilize less water, provide greater employment lems indicate three ways of minimizing the problem: and provide a higher economic return need to be found. 1) choose a site where there is good cold air drainage, Studies have indicated that grapes are such a crop. 2) choose varieties which can withstand the temper- With the above in mind, this study was undertaken to: atures found in the region, and 3) use cultural practices which increase cold hardiness of the vine. 1. evaluate the adaptability of grape varieties at re- search and home vineyard locations throughout The most destructive disease problem within the the region, states of Arizona and New Mexico is Texas Root Rot. Our work indicates that the disease 2. evaluate wine produced from the above grapes, may be controlled on and non -calcarious soils by acidifying the soil with sulfur. At elevations below 5,000 ft. areas 3. utilize the findings to establish viticultural regions having calcarious soil, that are known to be effected by the disease, based on soil and climate which could be used for should making varietal recommendations. be avoided. It is recommended to those interested in establishing In addition, research was undertaken on the known vineyards that they proceed at a modest level with problems of disease and winter damage. incremental plantings of 1 to 5 acres. In this way the It has been found that there are adaptable varieties grower will become proficient with viticultural practices to most locations in our states, and that these grape and give him the opportunity to evaluate the market. varieties can produce wines of commercial quality. At- This publication is meant to give potential growers, tempts to adapt previously developed procedures for vinters and technical personnel the necessary informa- establishing viticultural regions failed; however, a new tion for establishing a grape industry within our states.