Growing Grapes for Fun, Food and Profit · 2017-12-12 · Growing Grapes for Fun, Food and Profit...

Growing Grapes for Fun,

Food and Profit

Judi J. Benestante, Ph.D.

Owner/Partner Viticulture Specialist

Texas Master Gardener Texas Junior Master Gardener Specialist

Carriage House Farm and Vineyard

Tell your neighbor WHY

you might want to grow

grapes or why you want

to improve the

production of the grapes

you are growing.

Today’s Agenda

• Where am I now?

• Where do I want to be and

how can I get there from

here?

• What will my vineyard

look like in 5 years?

Where am I now?

Site Selection:

• Climate

• Water

• Infrastructure

Variety Selection

Table Grapes

Wine Grapes

Where do I want to be and how can I

get there from here?

PLANTING

Water Requirements

Training and Trellising

MAINTENANCE

UP Keep – WEEDS, Pruning, Hedging

Chemicals

Carriage House Farm was established 1975, with Phase I of the

Vineyard planted in 2009. 50 vines planted; Phase II planted 2011 150 vines

planted Phase III 2011 planted 234 vines Phase IV

First Harvest 2013

Grape Varieties: Blanc du Bois

Lenoir (Black Spanish)

Phase I Planted February, 2009

Section 1

Phase I

Blanc du Bois

1.5 rows 250' long +/- 30 vines/row

Section II Lenoir (Black Spanish)

I.5 rows 250' long +/- 20 vines/row

Phase II-Sections III and IV Planted February, 2011

Black Spanish

2.5 rows 250' long +/- 100 vines/row

Blanc du Bois

1.5 rows 250' long +/- 50 vines

Phase III, Section V Planted February 2012

Various lengths

7 rows Black Spanish +/- 234 vines/row

Totals: =/- 1.75 acres; 429 vines

Trellis System: Watson

Rows: 12' wide 6' between vines

• Producing approx. 4-

5 tons per acre

minimum

What will my vineyard look

like in 5 years?

• Making 100 gallons per person

wine a year;

• MAKING A PROFIT ON THE

REMAINDER OF OUR CROP;

and

• Enjoying our retirement!

Around the Farm

Contact Numbers

Judi J. Benestante, Ph.D.

• Home: 936-653-4869

• Office Cell: 936-760-5144