Winemaker’s Bookshelf The two essential new books of 2010


Establishing a vineyard requires patience and cash.


consider a book to be valuable if I refer to it repeatedly and get upset when I can’t find it. The 2010 edition of the Best Practices Guide for Grapes for British Columbia Growers (ISSN 198-001X) is one of the books I scan when I receive it, and then consult whenever I need the details. I’ve been reading the previous versions of this guide for at least 25 years and have also used it for teaching. It covers so many topics, and is so well focused on B.C. viticulture that it creates a good framework for introductory courses.


I


Each of the chapters of the guide opens with a brief discussion of fundamentals, such as in the opening chapter on Basic Physiology, but the guide is not intended as a textbook of viticulture. It is better viewed as a “What do I do when . . . “ type of book. For example, on page 4-21 the calculation is outlined for nitrogen application, depending on what type of nitrogen fertilizer is being applied.


One of the first things I do when I receive a new edition is check to find out what has been changed. The obvious changes will be with regard to pesticide and herbicide recommendations. They always change.


Some of the other changes are harder to find. These are usually a reflection of recent research, in areas such as irrigation management. For example, the 2010 edition has a new discussion of irrigation equipment. I find that I discover many points I had previously overlooked or forgotten when I compare the new and old guides, looking for changes. What more can I say? No vineyard or winery operator should be without a copy. You can get the guide from the B.C. Wine Grape Council, Box 1218 Peachland, BC V0H 1X0 or via email bcwgc@telus.net.


The second essential book is the


Self-Assessment and Guidebook—


Sustainable Practices for BC Vineyards. This book can also be obtained from the wine grape council at the above address. As with the


Best Practices


Guide, this book is not intended to replace textbooks, but there are many sources of basic information listed for those who wish to dig deeper into the topics of the book.


B.C.’s sustainable


practices program operates on the assumption that you have completed or are familiar with the Environmental Farm Plan and that you are familiar with the Best Practices Guide. If the Sustainable Practices Guide had been unable to rely on this foundation, it would have been an impossibly long document.


The introduction explains what the program is and is not. If the guidelines are utilized, the guide can assist growers and winemakers to “reduce water and energy use, minimize chemical use, build healthy soil, protect air and water quality, reduce wastewater and solid waste production, maintain biodiversity, and enhance relationships with employees, neighbours, and the broader community.”


You may have noticed that was an


impossible statement to summarize, so I simply quoted it.


There are several important points to remember during the adoption of sustainable practices. Many practices are already being used by informed growers. The modified techniques often result in better yield and quality and may save money by reducing operating cost. Changes to operations need not be overnight. When the alternatives are measured, some changes will yield a faster return than others. Look to these first.


The workbook provides a self- assessment score card. This is a valuable way to check your status quo and identify where to start. There is presently no standard for the participant to meet, but an objective of the program is to develop certification so that participants can receive recognition for their achievements. You will see from the index that a huge range of topics is covered. In a book such as this, topics cannot be covered in detail, but the participant can consult the listed references for up to date and detailed information about any of the topics of the workbook. The worldwide grape and wine industry is on the leading edge of deriving and adopting sustainable practices. B.C.’s program is a significant contribution to the structured guidelines for sustainable practices.


— Gary Strachan can be reached at gestrachan@ alum.mit.edu.


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Contact Wes Wiens for more information 905-984-4324 • sales@gwnvines.com


Gemmrich W. Nursery Ltd., 278 Line 5, RR4, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 “Our business is grown on good roots!”


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Winter 2010-11 25


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