How To Start Planning Your Own Vineyard

Michael Warren Thomas has hosted radio shows about gardening, food/wine and the Finger Lakes for twelve years and prior to that had a landscape design/installation company of a decade. Michael is bringing together his background in horticulture and contacts in wine, to assist consumers who would like to grow their own grapes and give new meaning to the word "house wine."

Call 328-8300 or email Michael@SavorLife.com to get details on launching your own vineyard. There will be classes for homeowners who would like to install grapes themselves, and home winemaking classes are also available in the region. Experienced home winemakers and professionals from the Finger Lakes are available for assistance in making your wine.

If you would like Michael to consult with you on the installation and especially the choice of grapes, there are two options:

1) "Free" Consultation for 30 minutes - It will cost a bottle of the wine of your choice! Michael can give advice about possible soil conditions and microclimate of the property, as well as a list of grape vine sources/varieties, and discuss your wine preferences. The amount of sunlight, drainage, slope of the land and other potential issues will be covered.

2) In depth consultation/workshop in the home - Over the course of 1-1/2 to 2 hours, Michael will present the results of soil and percolation tests, and as much weather data as possible for the potential vineyard location. The costs of protecting the vineyard from animals and birds, as well as potential disease and insect challenges, will be discussed. Michael will bring six bottles of wine made from the grapes he is recommending, for the homeowner to taste and keep for evaluation. The costs of the vineyard installation will be reviewed.

Most consumers look for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot in the local wine shops. Unfortunately Vinifera varieties like this are often difficult to grow in our humid climate and often suffer during harsh winters. With intensive management techniques, however, virtually any grape except Zinfandel, can be grown in our climate. There are dozens of potential grape varieties, some of which are used to make wine in Minnesota and Maine. With the exception of full shade, there are not many places where grapes cannot be grown. Please remember that it will take 3-4 years for the new vines to produce the first crop. There are also row leasing options available in the Finger Lakes for people who don't have suitable property or would like to harvest immediately.

Reduce mowing by adding a row or two of grapes, and harvest the bounty!