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Viticulture

Viticulture is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is known as viniculture. Viticulturists use their expertise to understand the right time to harvest grapes for ripeness and quality, prevent pests, fertilize their vineyards, prune, and design sustainable farming programs. 

grape on vines
Grape Harvest

What Makes a Suitable Vineyard?

Growing Region

An important first step in starting a vineyard involves understanding which grape cultivars are best suited for your specific region. Due to the Midwest’s cold winter climates, only cold-hardy grape varieties tend to thrive in this region with the exception of one small region in Southeast Iowa. Most of Iowa falls under  Zone 4b and 5a in the Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which determines which plants will survive in your area’s climate conditions. It’s important to match cultivars with the region you intend to grow in and avoid developing your vineyard in an area that cannot support grape growth suitable for your conditions.. Use Review of Cold Climate Cultivars to learn more about various cold-hardy grape varieties often grown in the Midwest. 

Soil Quality

Your land’s soil quality will determine whether or not you can sustain a healthy crop yield year after year. In order to maintain your vineyard over the long-term, utilize resources like the Iowa Soils Sustainability Index, which provides various soil maps and soil type information for each Iowa county. This information can help you gain a better understanding of the basic properties of soil for better crop management, soil nutrient management, and soil conservation.

Viticulture Forms & Resources  

Find important resources from the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute to help you start your vineyard, estimate grape yields, form management strategies, and care for your vineyard year-round. 

Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS) Pesticide Sensitive Crops Directory

Vineyard Scouting Form

Calculate Your Vineyard’s Estimated Grape Yield

Learn About Canopy Management Concepts

Pruning and Canopy Management Cheat Sheet

University of Minnesota Grape Breeding and Enology – Cultivar Development

How to Prevent Winter Injury to Grapevines

Estimating Grape Maturity by Sensory Analysis – Grape Maturity Series

Estimating Grape Maturity by Total Soluble Solids – Grape Maturity Series

Estimating Grape Maturity with the Potential Power of Hydrogen (pH) – Grape Maturity Series

Estimating Grape Maturity by Titratable Acidity – Grape Maturity Series

More Viticulture Resources

Find research and publications about grape growing in the Midwest with publications from the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. Or Subscribe to Dr. Randall Vos’s newsletters; Viticulture News. This newsletter will be sent out twice per month during the growing season, and monthly during the dormant season and contains more information on viticulture.  

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Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute

2312 Food Sciences Building
Ames, IA 50011-1061

Email us at wine@iastate.edu
Call us at 515-294-3308
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