2. Wine Grapes: An Alternative Crop for Churchill County Dr. Grant R. Cramer Department of Biochemistry University of Nevada, Reno

3. The Wine Industry Is a Rapidly Growing Market w California had $13 billion in retail sales last year and a $33 billion economic impact on the state w Washington had $250 million in retail sales and has increased from 19 to 145 wineries in the last 20 years w Colorado wineries have increased from 5 to 24 in the last 10 years

4. Growing Grapes Can Be Profitable w It takes 3 years to produce grapes w In the 4th year a vineyard becomes profitable w In the 6th year, all establishment costs are paid for except land and equipment costs w After that a Colorado grower will average $5,134 net profit per acre w A typical vineyard will last from 20 to 60 years

5. Wine Region in Washington

6. Vineyards in Washington

7. Grapevines Growing in Colorado

8. Is Nevada’s Climate Good for Grapes?

9. V. vinifera temperature requirements w 250 hours at <45°F for budbreak w Daily mean temperature > 50°F to break dormancy w Damage to buds at < -2°F w Vine Death at -10 to -15°F

10. Average Growing Degree Days (GDD) GDD units = (daily ave temperature) - 50°F. One unit is accumulated for each degree the average temperature is above 50°F. Premium wines are produced with GDD between 2500 and 3500 Napa Napa Carneros Yakima Reno Fallon 3363 2491 2573 2298 2640

11. Regional Temperature Facts

12. History of V. vinifera Viticulture in Northern Nevada w 1991 - Establishment of vineyards in Minden and Pahrump by Tahoe Ridge Vineyards and Winery w 1995 - Establishment of experimental vineyard at UNR w 1997 - Establishment of 5 acres of Primadore in Silver Springs w 2001 - Establishment of experimental vineyard in Fallon at the Frey Ranch

13. History of Enology of Northern Nevada-Grown Grapes w 1996 - First wines made by Tahoe Ridge Winery: Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, and Muller Thurgau w 1999 - First wines made from UNR vineyards: Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunire, and Lemberger w 2000 wines - Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Cabernet Franc and Lemberger w 2001 wines - Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunire, Cabernet Franc and Lemberger

14. UNR Vineyard Varieties w Chardonnay w Pinot Blanc w Pinot Menuire w Pinot Gris w Gewurztraminer w Riesling w Muscat Blanc* w Muller Thurgau* w Semillon w Cabernet Franc w Pinot Noir w Lemberger * indicates varieties replaced with Shiraz and Merlot in 2001

15. Experimental vineyard at UNR Chardonnay, July, 2001

16. Cabernet franc before harvest

17. Cabernet franc after harvest

18. Regulated Deficit Irrigation w Irrigation started when grape leaf’s water potential reaches -10 bars w Irrigation applied at 75% of Crop ET w In 2000, irrigation reduced by 80% compared to previous year w Total applied water to grapes at UNR was 14 times less than average application to alfalfa (0.25 acre feet compared to 3.5 acre feet)

19. Additional UNR Research w Plants are most cold tolerant in dormant stage w Research on pulsating misters to cool plants and maintain dormancy into Spring w Research on the genetic-engineering of grapes with a gene that improves drought, salinity and cold tolerance w Economic analysis and feasibility study

20. Frey Ranch Vineyard

21. Frey Ranch Vineyard Varieties w Chardonnay w Sauvignon Blanc w Semillon w Gewurztraminer w White Riesling w Cabernet Franc w Pinot Noir w Cabernet Sauvignon w Syrah w Merlot

22. Frey Ranch Vineyard in Fallon

23. Healthy plants at Frey Ranch

24. Boron Toxicity at Frey Ranch w B in water: 1 to 1.5 ppm w B in soil: 3.5 to 7 ppm w B in leaf: 200 to 400 ppm w Normal tissue B is 40 ppm

25. Leaching is the solution

26. Is Viticulture and Enology Good for Nevada? w Wine grapes provide a diversified economy to Nevada w Wineries promote tourism w Wine consumption in moderation is good for the heart and soul

27. Conclusions w A wine industry may be feasible in Nevada w A wine industry is already beginning to develop in Northern Nevada w More research is needed for a successful wine industry to exist w The development of a full-fledged wine industry will do much to improve the quality of life in Northern Nevada