Nevada http://www.ag.unr.edu/cramer/nevada_grapes.htm

I. Grapes are a Low Water-Use High-Value Crop in High Demand

For a typical vineyard in Colorado, it takes three years to start producing grapes. In the 4th year a vineyard produces enough grapes to become profitable. In the 6th year, establishment costs will be paid off (not including equipment and land costs). Thereafter, a grower averages a net return of $5,134 per acre per year at 1999 prices. A typical vineyard will last at least 20 years and may last 60 years if it is well maintained.

Our Vision for the State of Nevada

We anticipate that research conducted by the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno will lead to a successful wine industry within the State of Nevada. The wine industry in the USA and the world is growing very rapidly. In 1998, the California wine industry generated $12.6 billion in retail sales in the United States and had a $33 billion economic impact on the state. In less than 40 years, Washington State has created a wine industry that produces $250 million in wine retail sales per year. By the year 2000, Washington had over 20,000 acres of vineyards and the number of wineries has increased from 19 to 145 in 20 years. Colorado has some of the highest vineyards in the world, ranging between 4000 and 6,400 ft above sea level. In 2000, Colorado had 80 vineyards (the first one was established in 1968) producing 563 tons of grapes on 400 acres with a wine retail value of over 4 million dollars. In the last 10 years, Colorado wineries have multiplied from 5 to 24. It is notable that vineyards in both Washington State and Colorado have climates similar to Northern Nevada.

UNR Vineyard Results

Chardonnay, July 2001 UNR Valley Road Vineyard, July 2001

In 1995, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Tahoe Ridge Vineyards and Winery teamed-up to establish a 1,080 vine experimental vineyard comprising 12 varieties of Vitis vinifera wine grapes in Reno, Nevada. These varieties were selected based upon their ability to produce quality in other regions that have similar climates to the Reno-Minden area (Bonn, Germany; Reims, France; Christchurch, New Zealand; Yakima, Washington). Some of these grape varieties have adapted better than others at the UNR vineyard.

Winter dieback has had a major impact on survival and productivity over the past five years. We have replanted 15 to 20

1 of 3 11/2/2008 7:35 PM Nevada Grapes http://www.ag.unr.edu/cramer/nevada_grapes.htm

percent of the vineyard yearly. Of the 12 varieties, we have removed two, Muscat Blanc and Muller Thurgau, in the spring of 2001 and replaced them with and . The Muscat Blanc and Muller Thurgau have been the most sensitive varieties to cold and have not produced any grapes. The most promising varieties are three white grapes and one red grape. They are Semillon, Chardonnay, White Riesling, and Lemberger, respectively. Some of these results were not expected based upon past performance of these varieties in other similar regions (Washington and Colorado). This points out that it is important to conduct variety trials in each region of interest, because they will perform differently (unpredictably) in different areas.

Irrigation can have an important impact on grapevines in semi-arid regions. In the summer of 2000, we applied water at 75 percent of crop Et (evapotranspiration), once plants reached a water potential of minus 10 bars. This resulted in a total of 9 applications for the entire season resulting in an eighty percent reduction in water use from the previous year. This represents 0.25 acre feet of water per acre for the season (a very low level of water application). Overall vine quality was improved with this watering schedule. We intend to pursue this type of irrigation regime in the following years. This water savings is extremely significant in arid Nevada. For example, Churchill County farmers produce quality alfalfa hay with an average application of 3.5 acre feet of water per acre per season (14 times more water than our application to grapes). Thus, it would seem that this area may have its own unique set of conditions which favor varieties not previously predicted. Further variety trials are warranted.

Northern Nevada can produce excellent quality wines. The sugar to acid ratio of the grape musts for many of the varieties reached the optimum quality value of 30 over the first two growing seasons we have had so far. A 1999 White Riesling made from grapes at UNR by Tahoe Ridge Vineyard and Winery won a silver medal at the Nevada State Fair. Due to the young age of most of the other wines, they have not yet been properly evaluated. This pilot study along with previous work done by Tahoe Ridge Vineyard and Winery has led to the conclusion that wine grapes can be successfully grown in Northern Nevada and that it is possible to produce excellent quality wines.

II. Churchill County Has Great Potential for Growing Premium Quality Wine Grapes

Frey Ranch Vineyard, July 2001, a cooperative research collaboration between the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources Frey Ranch, July 2001 (CABNR) at the University of Nevada, Reno and the Churchill County Grape Growers, Inc.

More photos

The initial success of the UNR vineyard has generated considerable interest in nearby areas. One of these areas is Fallon in Churchill County, seventy miles east of Reno. This region contains approximately 50,000 acres of farmland (mostly alfalfa) with approximately 2,300 small family farmers, many who have been working the soil for four generations. More than 95% of these farmers own less than 100 acres. The climate is milder and the growing season is longer compared to Minden and Reno. Water is an important issue for these farmers.

Fallon and other Nevada areas have climates equal to or better than some Napa regions for growing premium grapes. See the table below for Growing Degree Day (GDD) calculations.

Average Growing Degree Days

Napa, CA Napa Carneros, CA Yakima, WA Reno, NV Fallon, NV

2 of 3 11/2/2008 7:35 PM Nevada Grapes http://www.ag.unr.edu/cramer/nevada_grapes.htm

3363 2491 2573 2298 2640

Temperature comparisons indicate that Churchill County has very similar temperatures to the Napa's Carneros region (if not more favorable). The best premium wines are made from grapes grown in regions with a GDD between 2500 and 3000. One of the most interesting temperature statistics is that Churchill County had a 30 degree diurnal temperature differential, between the high and low during the growing season, while Napa had a 26 degree temperature differential. These large daily temperature fluctuations between high and lows create a very desirable "sugar to acid ratio" for high quality wines. Thus, there is good potential to establish vineyards in Churchill County. However, a variety trial is needed along with an irrigation study to determine the minimum amounts of water needed to produce premium quality grapes for wine.

A 3 acre experimental vineyard has been established at the Frey Ranch in Fallon. This research project is a joint venture by the Churchill County Growers, Inc. and CABNR at the University of Nevada, Reno. V. vinifera grapes (10 varieties) were planted at the beginning of July, 2001.

III. Why Aren't Wine Grapes a Sure Thing?

There is a lot of variation in the way wine grape varieties respond to different climatic and soil conditions. The French have spent several centuries determining which particular varieties do best in a specific appellation. Therefore, varietal trials are needed at each particular region to accurately assess their potential.

The biggest dangers to vines in Northern Nevada are very low winter temperatures (below minus 10°F), fluctuating temperatures (false springs) which could cause premature spring growth, and alkaline or saline soils. V. vinifera grapes are adapted to Mediterranean-type climates. This species can be substantially damaged in the colder regions of the world. Native North American species of Vitis are more cold tolerant in these colder regions. Therefore, the genetic potential is there to improve cold tolerance. We have a very active research programt to improve the cold tolerance of V. vinifera varieties.

[Grant's Home Page]

3 of 3 11/2/2008 7:35 PM