VASCM: High Density Planting

[Pohorsky, Tom]

At a SC Mtn Technical session a few years back, Greg LaFollette mentioned (IIRC) with row spacing tighter than 4' you run more risk of one row shading the next. I googled and didn't find anything directly on that, but he's also quoted at:
http://www.sommelierjournal.com/articles/article.aspx?year=2011&month=11&articlenum=36

"... By planting new rows on 5-by-8-foot spacing, La Follette was able to increase yields from 1.5 to more than 3 tons per acre, even as he improved quality. "There is an old adage," he says, "that low yield makes better wine, but this is horse-puppy- balanced vines make better wines, and sometimes lower yields can make worse wines." 

Other interesting stuff there. Good that you've got a southern exposure, that will certainly help wrt to shading etc.  I have a similar situation, but with a half acre on 6x4 spacing am hoping to get 2 barrels.  I was able to plan w/rows running south and straight down the hill, so am able to get good midday sun into the vines.

Good luck,
TomP.


-----Original Message-----
From: vascm-bounces at kkn.net [mailto:vascm-bounces at kkn.net] On Behalf Of Kenneth Challenger
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2013 10:00 AM
To: Vascm
Subject: VASCM: High Density Planting

Hello Members,

We want to plant Pinot Noir next year and have realized that the area we have to plant will is not big enough to make a barrel of wine using standard vine/row spacing. We are considering planting European style, that is a 3'x3' plant x row spacing. Does anyone have experience with this vineyard layout? We can easily fit in 400-500 vines with this layout. We are on Summit Rd at about 1600' facing south a mile or so from Burrell School.  

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,

Kenneth & Gillian Challenger
Iron Rose Vineyards
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