This manual provides detailed information for wine grape growers on production issues, economics, weed and disease management, the process of conversion from conventional to organic, and organic certification and registration.
Inside this full-color guide you'll find information on soil management for the organic vineyard including soil considerations when selecting a vineyard site, how to develop organic soil management and soil fertility plans, and a discussion of the roles of compost and cover crops.
You’ll also find a calendar of recommended practices for year-round soil fertility management.
An extensive section on pest management covers weed, disease, insect, mite, and vertebrate pest management options for the organic grower. A chapter about organic vineyards and the environment covers biodiversity, habitat, and natural resource issues of concern to the organic grower. The chapter on organic certification contains an overview of considerations for evaluating and selecting a certifier.
This manual is illustrated with 18 tables and 89 figures and photos, including close-up color photographs of important natural enemies, sharpshooters, leafhoppers, mites, and disease symptoms. Throughout the publication extensive sidebars highlight key points of information in a convenient condensed format.
As interest in organic wine grape production grows in the California wine industry, this publication provides valuable guidance on practices and considerations for organic and conventional growers alike.