Good morning; I just discovered the introduction forum. On May 7, 2019 my husband and I planted 1/4 acre of grapes in Southwestern Virginia, zone 6a, elevation 2000 feet.
We planted:
25 Vidal Blanc
25 Traminette
25 Chardonel
25 Cayuga White
25 Chambourcin
25 Chelois
11 Norton
20 Marechal Foch
15 DeChauac
15 Chancellor
2 Riesling
2 Cab Franc
2 Pinot Noir
2 Merlot - we'll see how well the Merlot, Chardonnay and Cab Sav do in zone 6a
2 Chardonnay
2 Cab Sav
My plan is to have 3 acres under vine when I retire; hopefully Spring 2024 but no later than Fall 2026. I plan to grow some vinifera (Riesling, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir) but that will be my last planting before retirement. Now I'm trying to decide how much to plant in 2020 and which varieties. I'm satisfied with my hybrid white choices so I'll be adding to their number. I want more of all the reds but also want to try Marquette and perhaps Baco Noir or Noriet. I understand Baco should do well in my heavy clay soil (Frederick silt loam) but Noriet may make superior wine. I'm concerned that Noriet has low yields - I'm pressed for cleared acreage - most of our 19 acres are wooded and a considerable part is a sink-hole. To add to the mix, I work in Washington, DC so my vineyard is only tended every couple weeks. That's why the vinifera portions will have to wait until I am much closer to retirement. I'm doing everything on a shoestring budget as well.
Anyway, I'm happy to be jointing the forum and have learned a lot from viewing all the posts. We don't have many wineries in the Southwestern part of Virginia so I'm in hopes we can join the few. Any and all advice is welcome!
We planted:
25 Vidal Blanc
25 Traminette
25 Chardonel
25 Cayuga White
25 Chambourcin
25 Chelois
11 Norton
20 Marechal Foch
15 DeChauac
15 Chancellor
2 Riesling
2 Cab Franc
2 Pinot Noir
2 Merlot - we'll see how well the Merlot, Chardonnay and Cab Sav do in zone 6a
2 Chardonnay
2 Cab Sav
My plan is to have 3 acres under vine when I retire; hopefully Spring 2024 but no later than Fall 2026. I plan to grow some vinifera (Riesling, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir) but that will be my last planting before retirement. Now I'm trying to decide how much to plant in 2020 and which varieties. I'm satisfied with my hybrid white choices so I'll be adding to their number. I want more of all the reds but also want to try Marquette and perhaps Baco Noir or Noriet. I understand Baco should do well in my heavy clay soil (Frederick silt loam) but Noriet may make superior wine. I'm concerned that Noriet has low yields - I'm pressed for cleared acreage - most of our 19 acres are wooded and a considerable part is a sink-hole. To add to the mix, I work in Washington, DC so my vineyard is only tended every couple weeks. That's why the vinifera portions will have to wait until I am much closer to retirement. I'm doing everything on a shoestring budget as well.
Anyway, I'm happy to be jointing the forum and have learned a lot from viewing all the posts. We don't have many wineries in the Southwestern part of Virginia so I'm in hopes we can join the few. Any and all advice is welcome!