Vineyard & Winery Management

January - February 2012

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VINEYARD NORTHWEST WATCH C o n t i n u e d overlapping the Oregon border. Latitudes range from 43°-44° north, and most vineyard land is found between 2,100 feet and 2,900 feet above sea level. Soils are the sandy deposits of an ancient lakebed, layered over volcanic cinder ash. Summer temperatures range from the lower 90s F during the day to upper 50s at night; growing season degree-day totals average 1,500 (Region II). There is very little pre- cipitation – just 11 inches per year – and almost none of it falls between June and October. By contrast, there is plenty of inexpensive water available for irrigation. Factor in the pro-development attitude of local government, and the area seems to be an ideal setting for vineyards. FRAIL SCALE That idea was not lost on mem- A LIFE IN THE VINEYARDS Back in 1927, Vittorio Sangiacomo purchased a 52-acre fruit tree ranch. By 1969, the Sangiacomo family was planting grapes and a Sonoma Wine Country legend was born. Today the third generation of Sangiacomos grows premium wine grapes on more than 1,500 acres of vineyards. And we're still here to help. bers of the Symms family, large- scale orchardists in this area, known as Treasure Valley. During the mid-1970s, the Symms diversi- fied into wine grapes and founded Ste. Chapelle as the state's first, and still largest, commercial win- ery. (Current production is 140,000 cases, though the business is now owned by Ascentia Wine Estates.) Early work focused on riesling, which remains the state's leading variety. But chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon soon joined the mix, and more recent plantings are going to viognier and syrah, though in much smaller numbers. Other growers followed the Symms into wine grapes, includ- ing the Williamsons, who have grown tree fruit here for more than a century. "We planted our first wine grapes in 1998," said Roger Williamson, who leads his family's 700-acre orchard, and now 40-acre vineyard, operation. "We were big into apples at that time, and the market wasn't great. So grapes were a means of diversification. Ste. Chapelle – then owned by Corus Estates – contracted with us Steve, Angelo, Michael and Robby Sangiacomo Call 800.800.4865 today or visit AgLoan.com A part of the Farm Credit System. Equal Opportunity Lender. See our farm family stories at AgLoan.com/generations Roger Williamson sells grapes from his 40-acre vineyard to wineries including Ste. Chapelle and Koenig Winery. WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM JAN - FEB 2012 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT 33

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