Grapes are among the oldest fruit on the planet. They also serve a singular purpose. Besides eating, you can make wine. While you can make beer from various substances, you can only make wine from grapes. If you want to produce the finest wines for your own use or for the public, it makes sense you buy wine grape vines that are the finest available. Yet, be prepared to abide your time. To get the most out of grape vines requires patience, skill and the right ingredients.
The Right Stuff
Grapes require certain ingredients to produce to their potential – both in terms of quality and quantity. The best grapes need to be carefully nurtured to perform to their best. While many varieties are adaptable, matching their needs with the soils in which they are planted, they still prefer a specific type of climate.
Grape vines prefer a temperate climate. They thrive best in dry, warm summers and winters that are mild. If the climate is too warm, your plants will be subjected to various vine diseases. If the winter drags on too long, the plants will die. It is important you take this and other factors into consideration before you buy wine grape vines and plants.
What to Consider Before Planting
When it comes to considering what type of grape vines to purchase, it is important to consider multiple factors. These cannot be taken as a singular decision but intermingle one with the other to ensure you reach your ultimate goal – the perfect wine producing vines. You need to look at the specific planting site in terms of the following:
- The ripening season – specifically its average length
- The weather conditions – the average or norm
- The soil – be sure to know its type, fertility and chemistry. Each soil type can create certain benefits for your plants. Grape vines can and will adapt to soils. You can also purchase types that are known to thrive specifically in the soil of your region
- Drainage properties – No matter what the soil type, grape vines will NOT thrive if there is improper drainage. This is not simply about watering the plants. It is about making certain the water is within reach of their roots, not making them waterlogged or beyond reach. The water table needs to make them work for their water but not die from a lack of or too much of it.
- The topography
- The sun exposure
- Potential pest problems
When it comes to planning, all these factors need to be given due consideration. You must understand the composition of where you are going to plant and the various effects the weather, soil make-up, drainage capacities will have on your future vineyard. Only after you have carefully gone over what you have, should you even make a move to decide to buy wine grape vines.
