Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/534849
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J u l y - A u g 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 5 9 led Bacigalupi to look for alterna- tive ways to treat for the pests that didn't involve pesticides. From the statuesque trunks of Chardonnay planted to the vine- yard known as the Paris Tasting Block (the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that won the famous "Judgment of Paris" tasting includ- ed Bacigalupi grapes) to the Pinot Noir that makes up the majority of his Russian River Valley estate, Bacigalupi's solution to the resis- tant mites and mildew still involves spraying. But now there's a small generator mounted to the top of a double-arm, over-row sprayer, a cabinet labeled AgriOzein bolted to the front end of a 500-gallon tank and not a chemical in sight. "Typically we'd treat mildew with dusting sulfur every seven to 10 days," he said. "Now we're treating with an average of 140 to 200 gallons an acre of ozone- c h a r g e d w a t e r a n d s e e i n g f a r healthier vineyards as a result." Growers such as Bacigalupi don't make unwarranted changes to their protocol. Both he and Chris B o w l a n d o f B o w l a n d Vi n e y a r d Bowland began trialing AgriOze- in on two blocks of high-density Chardonnay and Pinot Noir this year. His sprayer rig and protocol differ slightly from Bacigalupi's: he's spraying every 10 to 14 days using 40 to 50 gallons of water dur- ing the first stage of shoot growth. He first spotted the technology Management in Santa Rosa, Calif., are among a group of early adopt- ers using ozone in the vineyard as a contact treatment; one that destroys pests up to the size of a house fly, and rot, but not the sur- face tension of the leaves or berries (the plant's natural defense mecha- nism) or the environment. Third-generation grapegrower John Bacigalupi has adapted a standard over-row sprayer for applying AgriOzein treatments to his Russian River Valley vineyard. D E S I G N S O L U T I O N S S E R V I C E D E L I V E R Y Westec's Tank Jackets and Porta- ble Tanks feature one-piece seamless sidewall; 59" dimple jacket; more effec- tive heating and cooling; stackable and "forkliftable"; and sloped floor for easy drainage and cleaning. Innovations like our Locking Spin Handle help prevent inadvertent opening of door when tank is full, unwanted entry of tank, and theft of parts and pieces. For Westec tanks and retrofitting existing tanks. Please contact us today for more information, and an estimate for your next job.