by Jim Bruce
Rist Canyon Vineyards
I read "The Grape Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture" when it first came out. I thought it so good that I lent the book to my daughter. She returned it a few weeks ago and it has been sitting on my desk until this weekend when I picked it up and started reading The Grape Grower for the second time.
I thought that I was impressed the first time I read The Grape Grower but after finishing it for the second time, I'm even more impressed with the amount of information Lon Rombough has compiled in this manual.
Whether a beginning grape grower or advanced, you will find this book a complete reference on organically growing grapes. Lon has spent most of his life dedicated to the growing of grapes and advising others on the best methods he has learned over the course of his experience with viticulture. There's hardly a grape growing topic that Lon has missed in this book.
Lon guides you through the grape growing process from planting and training grapevines to harvest in a plain, frank, and friendly manner. Lon informs you of the soil preparation and nutrient adjustments you need to do before even thinking of planting your backyard grape arbor or vineyard. He guides you through all the disease and insect pest you will encounter. He also gives you environmentally friendly and organic means to combat these pests.
His sections on grape varieties and species is comprehensive for the varieties he describes. He makes it perfectly clear which varieties are adapted to your region and environment. Lon also gives you the uses of each variety. Whether for wine, jam, juice, or eating you will be able to make intelligent decisions on which grape varieties are for you and your circumstance.
When it comes to training and pruning grapes, Lon makes clear a tricky subject. Most beginning grape growers have difficulty grasping the pruning of the grapevine. Lon presents this subject in such a clear manner that anyone should have no problem reading the information he presents, walking out to their grapevine, and starting pruning with confidence.
Lon also outlines many of the problems that can be encountered by the grape grower. He clearly presents obstacles like spring frosts and winter kill of the grapevines. Lon not only describes how to avoid many of these obstacles but also what to do when you encounter them. He believes in healthy grapevines and shows you how to maintain you vine's health so that you get maximum hardiness and production from your endeavors.
Lon explains how to propagate your own grapevines. His method is foolproof. And I was pleased to see that Lon shows you how to breed your own grape varieties that may be more adapted to your particular growing conditions. This is a subject that many grape growing authors leave out. Grape breeding has been a long interest to Lon and he passes this enthusiasm on through his book.
I was a bit disappointed as this is a book on organic viticulture that Lon didn't mention more on Bio dynamic grape growing. This type of organic growing has caught on in many parts of the world and I believe that more mention of the methods put forth by bio dynamic grape growers would have been of interest to Lon's readers.
I should also state that Lon's main grape growing interest is for table grapes. Those of us growing wine grapes benefit immensely from this book but most of Lon's references are for those who are primarily growing grapes for eating. But this is Lon's expertise and the difference in growing wine and table grapes is minimal. The information presented benefits both outcomes.
I have to highly recommend this book as one of the modern standards for growing grapes. This is especially true if you are an amateur grape grower and new to the subject. Lon has presented this material so clearly as though he were just talking to you that everyone interested in the subject of growing grapes will be delighted in reading The Grape Grower.
I give "The Grape Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture" by Lon Rombough a clear - Thumbs Up and a must read for the serious grape growing enthusiast.
- Jim Bruce
One of the newest and best grape growing books available today. Lon is a highly respected viticulturist and grape breeder. His book is written for the lay person and is full of pertinent facts on grape growing that have come through practical growing for years. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about growing grapes:
A good basic book about growing grapes and making wine from them. Has become one of the standards on grape growing. Most of the techniques come from growing in California, but still recommended:
The complete picture on disease and disease control for grapes. A standard:
This was the first book I ever bought on growing grapes. One of the best to this date. It's the book that made me realize there's a place for hybrids in grape growing. It is full of information on the backround of growing grapes in the Eastern U.S., as well as tip for growing grapes and varietal selection:
The companion to a "Wine Growers Guide". Everything you need to know about making wine on a small or commercial scale. It got me through my first attempts at making wine from actual grapes that I'd grown. Emphasis on the hybrid grape varieties:
This is a MUST book for anyone attempting to push the limits of grape growing into the colder regions of the continent. Much specific information for the northern grape growing areas. Solid information on grape varieties for cold, short growing seasons. The authors have much practical knowledge of growing grapes in Minnesota. This book not only explains growing grapes in cooler areas but explains how to make the best wines from hybrids grown under these conditions. (this book can be ordered from the author, find price information from the clicking on the picture):
Sunlight into Wine is one of the best books on canopy management and grapevine trellising systems. For those wanting to know how to obtain maximum grape production, this is a must book.
Sunlight into Wine can be obtained in the United States from the Practical Winery Magazine's bookshelf at:
Practical Winery
This book explores the biology of the grape. Contains a lot of grape research. If you're interested in the scientific side of how grapes grow this is a standard manual:
A collection of articles dealing with specific topics of growing wine grapes. Much useful information:
A solid manual of modern winemaking techniques. Up to date with the modern world:
A good winemaking manual to start your winemaking hobby or career. Gives you all the steps from A to Z:
This is a good book for those growing grapes in the backyard and wanting to make small quantities of wine. Contains some recipes for wine.
A solid overview of traditional old world winemaking and how the classic wines are made:
A standard reference to making wines. Up to date with modern winemaking techniques. Replacing "Table Wines" as the standard reference:
Solid techniques for the home winemaker. If you need just one book on the subject, you might want to check this out:
Find out how soils affect grape growing and winemaking. The "terroir" considered so important to the French wine industry for centuries. This book not just for the viticulturist but soil scientists too. If you're interested in finding out how your soil type will affect the quality of your wine, check this book out:
This is the standard David Jackson book on the production of grapes and wine in cool climates. Amazon often has used copies of this book. It's a must if you're serious about growing grapes in cool climates.
Ft. Collins Temp
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