38 CONTRACT production


Ridge partner was. His current director of winemaking, Lawrence Buhler, has degrees in both viticulture and oenology. While many wineries in BC like to grow their own grapes and market their wines as such, McWatters also likes to contract grape production for a number of reasons. “For one thing, it allows me access to a range of the 70 varieties we now grow across BC,” explains McWatters. “I am not limited to what works well on a particular piece of dirt.” As a vintner who likes to blend wines, that access is important to McWatters. He can build long-term relationships that distributes the risk, says McWatters. “If a vineyard has a bad


year, it doesn’t affect me so much. I can still be in a position to buy their grapes next year.” He likes 10-year contracts. He says that gives both him


and the growers some stability. “Lawrence Buhler has such


a background in viticulture that he is able to work with the contract growers and support their growing practices to get the quality of grapes that we are looking for,” says McWatters. McWatters recently sold his last vineyard holdings (Sundial Vineyard on the well- known Black Sage Bench, east of Oliver) but he still has a contract to buy the grapes for the next few years. “The east side of the valley


is where we should be growing those big red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot,” he says. “That’s where we will get the consistent ripening that the grapes need.” He says that if a grower


plants, say, Syrah in a marginal site, even though he may get two good vintages out of five, it’s those poor years that will affect the


nfrom page 37


industry. “If people taste a stemmy,


green Syrah from a winery a couple of times, they will say we can’t grow Syrah here in the Okanagan and that’s the wrong impression.”


Weather woes


“The weather will always be a challenge,” says McWatters. The industry lost vines to major frosts in 1968- 69 and 1981-82. But those were vines that were being pushed for maximum production. “Today, with responsible


cropping, the vines go into the winter in much better condition,” he points out. McWatters favours red


Bordeaux-style blends, sometimes known as "Meritage" – a term he introduced to Canada. His versions source grapes from the South Okanagan and Similkameen. “We make two styles – one based on Merlot and one based on Cabernet Sauvignon,” he says. “They are both completely different but they are both serious red wines.”


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • OCTOBER 2017


Crop management covered at lecture series


by TOM WALKER KELOWNA – BC grape


growers spent a day in the vineyard with an Italian viticulture expert as part of the Triggs International Premium Vinifera Lecture Series.


Stefano Poni, professor of viticulture and chair of the Istituto di Frutti- Viticoltura at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, Italy, used the West Kelowna vineyards of Quails' Gate and Mission Hill to share and discuss best practices for canopy management. The lecture series


provides those interested or directly involved in the business of viticulture and winemaking, as well as students and university faculty, with information regarding the most current developments in viticulture. Canopy management


TRACTORS


JD 5225 2006, 5250 HRS, 4WD, TURF TIRES, 3 REMOTES, LDR W/4N1 BUCKET, 12X12 TRANS, PWR REVERSER [U15210]..... 25,900 FORD 7600 1980, 2250, 4WD, FACTORY SUNSHADE, FRONT LDR W/74” MATERIAL BUCKET, GOOD TIRES [U31606] .................. 18,900 NH TC30 2004, 3070 HRS, 4WD, NEW AG TIRES, NH 7308 LDR & BUCKET W/MANURE TINES [U31582] .................................... 14,900 MF 1660 2011, 2000 HRS, 4WD, 45 PTO HP, CAB, 12X12 TRANS W/POWER SHUTTLE, LDR C/W SKID STEER QUICK ATTACH, 72” BKT W/BOLT ON EDGE, VERY GOOD CONDITION [U31572] ............. 37,500 JD 1840 1981, 2WD C/W ROPS & SUNSHADE, 60 HP, 8 SP TRANS, GOOD CONDITION [CNS669]................................ 3,900 JD 7200 1995, 7950 HRS, 4WD W/CAB, 16X16 QUAD SHIFT, 92 PTO HP [CNS659] ............................................................ 49,000 JD 6420 2007, 2950 ENGINE HRS, 4WD C/W CAB & BUHLER TSL LDR, 84” HLA BUCKET [CNS654] .........................69,000 NH 54D 4WD, CAB, LDR, 40 HRS, LIKE NEW, SOME WARRANTY (U31396) ................................................. 49,500 NH BOOMER 20 W/LDR, 60” MID MT MOWER, 200 HRS (U31247) 19,400 QUALITY USED EQUIPMENT


KVERNELAND PS04 2009, FERT SPREADER C/W CART, 2 TON CAPACITY, VERY NICE CONDITION [CNS658] ............................ 4,000 NH FP240; GOOD CONDITION, 2005, TANDEM AXLE; HI DUMP HOSES; SPOUT EXTENSION; 29P GRASSHEAD (U31570)...................... 27,900 NH FP240 EXC. COND. 2011; KERNEL PROC; 29P GRASSHEAD; 3 ROW CORN HEAD; TANDEM AXLE; HYD. HITCH, USED ONE SEASON [CNS650]................................................ 69,000 BRILLION SS-10 SEEDER VERY GOOD COND; AS NEW; STORED INSIDE (U31507) ..................................................... 11,500 LOEWEN HORIZONTAL MIXER (CNS631) .................................... 5,690 FP 240 2005, METALERT, GRASSHEAD, TANDEM AXLE, COMING ....... 29,000 L220 SKIDSTEER ..................................................................... 23,900 FP 230 2001 METALERT NO HEADS - U31374........................... 6,900 LOEWEN MIXER (HORIZONTAL) ................................................. 8,500 NH 278 BALER, 1975, FIELD READY ......................................... 6,500 KUHN/KNIGHT 5127 MIXER WAGON;


SINGLE VERTICAL SCREW – U31246 .................................... 17,900 JD 3950 FORAGE HARVESTER – U31195................................... 4,000


REPETITIVE


MOVEMENT CAN CAUSE INJURY


TAKE REGULAR BREAKS www.AgSafeBC.ca


takes many forms with different outcomes from different practices, Poni explained. He addressed the impacts of practices on managing overall crop development, methods to delay or enhance fruit maturity, and timings that will influence final crop quality.


“Photosynthesis is the


guy that’s growing the grapes,” Ponti pointed out, as he discussed how trellising systems, pruning and leaf removal affects vines and grape development, ripening and disease management. Poni presented a public


lecture at the Summerland Research and Development Centre the following day, addressing how timing and management practices contribute to grape quality and vine health. He explained how growers can find a balance between yields and quality, and the labour required for each practice.


Industry support Organized by Brock


University, the Triggs lectures feature world leaders in the cultivation of premium vinifera grapes. The lectures are possible through a generous donation by Don and Elaine Triggs to the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock. Originally held in Ontario in 2004, the lectures expanded to BC in 2011. BASF Canada sponsors costs associated with making it a national event.


The Nitro 275RS is constructed with top grade materials to handle real day-to-day farming. Standard features include robust 5/8” apron chains, vertical beaters, and a poly board floor. To protect your investment the NItro 275RS has both an over running clutch and a torque limiter protecting both your spreader and your tractor. Our adjustable guilottine endgate allows operators greater control of material to the beaters as it leaves the spreader.


CHILLIWACK • 1.800.242.9737 | 44725 Yale Road West • 604.792.1301 LANGLEY • 1.800.665.9060 | 21869 - 56th Avenue • 604.533.0048


COMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE in the FRASER VALLEY rollinsmachinery.com


The 275RS has a carrying capacity of 10 tons and a struck level capacity of 220 cu. ft.


Built with purpose, the TL6000 easily switches from round to square bales with a few quick adjustments. A cam axle system rotates, raising and lowering the bed. Equipped with a fixed tail, the angle between the wrapping chamber and the tail rollers doesn’t change, preventing overstretch of plastic at the bottom of bales as they transition. With the cam axle rotated, the deck can be positioned parallel to the ground providing a level platform to start bale tubes.


The TL6000 series of Balewrapper is available in both AX2 and ECV models.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48