Rist Canyon Vineyards

My Vineyard Research

WINTER HARDINESS

WINTER HARDINESS: Besides a varietal trial, the Rist Canyon Vineyard is being used for a number of research projects. Cold hardiness is the main research to be conducted. This vineyard will be used to understand the the physiology of low temperature acclimation and deacclimation. Low temperature exotherms will be determined for each variety and equated to their genetic makeup to gain an understanding of the parental role in winterhardiness. LEA-like and other heat-stable dehydrin-like proteins will be assessed for each variety and their role equated to the winterhardiness of the cultivar. Sugars accumulated during the dormant period will be determined and their role equated to winterhardiness.

FROST TOLERANCE

FROST TOLERANCE:
Late spring frost is on of the major deterents to growing grapes in this area. Measurements of proline concentration within grape buds will be made and related to the variety's tolerance of frost. Proline has been shown to accumulate in the buds of frost tolerant grapes. Various cryoprotectants will be investigated for protecting tender varieties from spring frost so that yields may be maintained reliably from year to year. Varieties will also be evaluated for secondary crop yield after major frost events.

See: Frost Tolerance

TRELLIS SYSTEMS

TRELLIS SYSTEMS:
Trellising systems will be investigated to determine their affect on maturation and hardening off for winter hardiness. VSP, Scott Henry, and Sylov systems will be investigated.

2,4-D

2,4-D:
Grape varieties will be rated for their susceptibility to the herbicide 2,4-D. Volatilized 2,4-D in the air is one of the major factors in vineyard decline in many grape growing areas. The herbicide also plays a role in late maturation and poor hardening off for winter.

BREEDING

BREEDING:
A breeding program will be initiated to breed for cold tolerant, short growing season grape varieties with tolerance or resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D. Varieties will also be selected on their ability to produce secondary crops after spring frosts.
All research is being conducted in cooperation with Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO.

CONTINUING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

CONTINUING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE:
Rist Canyon Vineyard was established to give guidance to persons along the Front Range Foothills of the Colorado Rockies who wish to grow grapes but have no starting information on what grows here and what management techniques are needed to sucessfully obtain a crop of grapes every year. We will continue to post information coming from our research on the web to keep people informed. We are also here to answer your questions concerning the cultivation of grapes under marginal conditions. Feel free to contact us with your questions.

Rist Canyon Vineyards

My Vineyard Research

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