The Wine Grape Production Guide for Eastern North America, edited by Dr. Tony Wolf at Virginia Tech, it is the technical guide for wine growing in the non-Western states. It is the foundation of knowledge that your own experience will build upon. Read it carefully, and often.
Resources for New Grape Growers
Starting a high quality commercial wine vineyard isn't easy. The main goal of anyone who wishes to develop a vineyard is to fill the knowledge gap. Even people with experience in agriculture do not necessarily have an understanding of the finer points of viticulture. The information resources for establishing a vineyard are widely available and listed here. Please take time to browse through them and begin your process of self-education. There are formal training programs such as the 1 or 2 years Viticulture and Enology Program at Harrisburg Area Community College or the 4-year undergraduate program at Cornell University. You can hire a consultant to fill the knowledge gap. Tailor your project to what suits your needs. Please pay particular attention to the INFORMATION RESOURCES LIST that contains critical educational and resource materials.
As a practical complement to the wine production guide, Mark Chien has drawn on his 20 years of experience as a wine grower in Oregon and New York to compile a how-to manual for planning, designing and developing a commercial wine vineyard. It is still in draft, pre-published form but it is available for use. Click HERE to download a PDF copy of the manual.
2013 New Grape Grower Workshop Powerpoint Presentations
Link to University of Maryland Grapes and Small Fruit Page (Fiola)
Program for 2013 new grape grower workshop in Lancaster, PA
Regional wine industry overview and marketing grapes (Chien, 1MB)
Grape varieties for eastern vineyards (Fiola, 3MB)
Vineyard site selection, design, preparation, plant materials, planting and trellis systems (Chien, 14MB)
Nematodes in Vineyards (J. Halbrendt, 2.1MB)
A grower perspective on developing a vineyard (Stewart, 6.5MB)
Pennsylvania climate maps (1.2MB)
Grape diseases in new vineyards (N. Halbrendt, 8MB)
Integrated pest mangement in new vineyards (Fiola, 3.8MB)
Grapevine Nutrition (Fiola)
New Grape Grower Essential Reading List
Cover Letter for New Wine Grape Growers: Please Read This!
Summary of the Pennsylvania Wine Industry
Viticulture and Enology Information Resources List
Pre-plant Decisions for a Winegrape Vineyard
The Cost of Planting One Acre of Vinifera Winegrapes in SE PA
Principles and Practices of Vineyard Establishment
Vineyard Equipment and Supplies
Grapevine Rootstocks and Clones
Vine Size and Balance: Concept and Destination
Viticulture in the Eastern United States
RdV: One Mans Search for the Perfect Vineyard Site
The Vineyard at Grandview: a success story
If We Knew Then What We Know Now: Establishing an East Coast Vineyard
A New Grower's Learning Curve: Paul Milnes in the Endless Mountains
Vineyard Development: Principles, Problems and Perspectives: James Stamp
Vineyard Development Guides
Wine Grape Production Guide for Eastern North America, Wolf et al. (order a copy)
A Practical Guide to Developing a Commercial Wine Grape Vineyard (draft copy, 3.8MB)
Midwest Grape Production Guide from Ohio State University
Establishing a Vineyard in Oregon: A Quick-Start Resource Guide
Starting a Vineyard in Texas: A Guide for Prospective Growers
Critical Issues in Early Vineyard Establishment for Connecticut Wine Growers