Vineyard Underground Fritz Westover

The first few months as a new grower can be the most nerve-wracking time of vineyard management. Everything is brand new and a little intimidating. Even a bug on a plant can be enough to raise an alarm because you simply don’t know if it’s going to ravage your vineyard or not. Viticulture consultant, Mark Chien joins me today to talk about surviving and thriving in the first few months after vine planting.
In this episode, you will hear:
The important considerations during the first three months after planting a new vineyard
How important robust root establishment is for the future growth of the vines
What the best practices are for vine training and trellising in new vineyards
How soil, water availability, and nutrient levels impact early vineyard growth
What strategies growers should employ to balance vine vigor
The effective defense strategies against pests, like invasive weeds and deer
How new growers can protect young vines from environmental threats and ensure healthy development
Episode Resources:
Visit VirtualViticultureAcademy.com/YoungVineyard to register for the FREE Essentials of Young Vineyard Management sip and learn event on May 20th or to learn more about the NEW Young Vineyard Management Course.  Use the code UNDERGROUND50 at checkout to get $50 off the regular course price through the end of June 2024.
If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.  
Today’s Guest:
Mark Chien is currently a private viticulture consultant in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland following his extensive career in the wine industry with highlights including working as the vineyard manager for the world-class Temperance Hill vineyard, becoming the first wine grape extension educator for Penn State, and serving as the program coordinator for Oregon Wine Research Institute.
Connect with - marklchien@outlook.com 
Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to Shellt Grow Tubes for sponsoring today’s episode. Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND15 to save 15% off all online orders plus free shipping within the continental United States.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

In this episode, our guest Randy Heinzen, a vine management and vineyard business expert, discusses vine planting and site preparation for new vineyards or for existing growers looking to add new vineyard blocks. Randy, the owner and president of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) in Paso Robles, CA, is a leading global expert in vineyard management. 
Listen in for an educational episode full of vine planting and site preparation tips from a vineyard management expert.
In this episode, you will hear:
The significance of soil sampling, understanding site history, and planning ahead for soil evaluation.
Understanding vine arrival logistics, differences between dormant and potted vines, and the importance of working irrigation before planting.
Pros and cons of hand planting versus mechanical planting.
The planting process, preparation for tall vines, and effects of climate changes on vine trellising strategies.
Vine spacing, site-specific considerations for vineyard setup, and the importance of efficient planning.
Resources:
Visit VirtualViticultureAcademy.com/YoungVineyard to register for the FREE Essentials of Young Vineyard Management sip and learn event on May 20th or to learn more about the NEW Young Vineyard Management Course and to get a discount code for $100.00 off the course!
Get the member-only Instructions for Successful Soil Sampling Grower Guide to learn why, when, and how to correctly soil sample.
FREE Planting Grower Guides:
Preparing for New Plantings
 Hand Planting Dormant Grapevines
Trimming Back Newly Planted Own-Rooted Grape Vines
Watch the Bingham Family Vineyards planting reel that Fritz mentions during the episode.
If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 
Today’s Guest:
Randy Heinzen is a leading global vineyard management expert who has worked with some of the world's most sought-after vineyards. He is the owner and president of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) in Paso Robles, CA. VPS currently manages over 4,000 acres across three counties along CA’s Central Coast.
Connect with Randy – Vineyard Professional Services.com
Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to Shellt Grow Tubes for sponsoring today’s episode. Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND15 to save 15% off all online orders plus free shipping within the continental United States.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of having a Q&A session with Jim Duane from Inside Winemaking. Jim has always been interested in winemaking and has been working in Napa Valley for over 20 years. Together, we are answering top questions submitted by listeners. We answer questions pertaining to replacing dead vines, digging in hardpan, natural pesticide use, and many, many more.
Listen in as we answer these questions, and if you have questions of your own, get in touch! We’d love to answer them on the next Q&A episode.
In this episode, you will hear:
If old vines produce fewer grapes.
If you have to break through hardpan and how far down you need to go.
Our thoughts on organic, biodynamic, and regenerative agriculture.
How much space vines really need.
What the best source of vine material is.
The significance of deep roots.
What natural pesticides can replace synthetic, chemical pesticides.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Resources:
Want Fritz to answer your grape growing questions live? Get a FREE Guest Pass for an upcoming Live Vineyard Advising session and get advice and answers for your specific vineyard questions from Fritz!
If you are a new or prospective vineyard owner, check out Fritz’s Prospective Winegrape Grower Course.

If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Learn more about Biological Products with Vineyard Underground Episode 40: Understanding Biological Products with Dr. Pam Marrone.
Today’s Guest:
Jim Duane is the head winemaker at Seavey Vineyard in Napa Valley and the host of the Inside Winemaking podcast.
Connect with Jim, learn about upcoming winemaking courses and classes, and listen to the podcast at InsideWinemaking.com.
Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to Vigneron Toy Store for sponsoring today’s episode. Vigneron Toy Store specializes in Harvesters, Sprayers, Frost Mitigation Equipment, Canopy Management Trimmers, and more. And as grape growers themselves, they can expertly help you determine the best equipment for your specific vineyard needs.
As a special offer for our podcast listeners, you can save 5% off in-stock machines by entering the promo code underground on the contact form at vignerontoystore.com.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

Is your vineyard irrigated? If so, then this episode is for you! Dr. Franklin Gaudi, executive vice president of design for Laurel Ag & Water, is on the show to discuss the often-overlooked topic of irrigation distribution uniformity (DU). Distribution uniformity measures how evenly water gets applied to the field, and it’s a topic that’s not taken as seriously as it should be. 
DU can make or break your vineyard when some vines get too much water, and others get none at all. In this episode, we discuss why DU is important and provide information so you can start with an irrigation system right for your vineyard. Listen in now!
In this episode, you will hear:
Why irrigation distribution matters and why growers need to be on top of it.
Identifying common issues affecting distribution uniformity, such as pressure variations and clogged emitters, and their impact on vine health.
How to conduct distribution uniformity tests and maintain irrigation system efficiency.
The balance between emitters and system pressure.
The role of pressure regulation and investing in quality equipment for long-term vineyard success.
Actionable solutions and resources for grape growers to optimize water distribution and enhance crop productivity.
Resources:
Access free Irrigation Evaluation resources from Cal Poly, including spreadsheets for six types of irrigation systems.
Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.
If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.
Today’s Guest:
Dr. Franklin Gaudi is the executive vice president of design for Laurel Ag & Water in California with a focus on redefining the industry standard for irrigation design. Prior to his current role, Franklin was an assistant professor and project manager for the Irrigation Training and Research Center at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Connect with Dr. Franklin Gaudi:
Website: https://laurel-ag.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelagandwater
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelagandwater
Linked-In:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurel-ag

Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to Shellt Grow Tubes for sponsoring today’s episode. Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND15 to save 15% off all online orders plus free shipping within the continental United States.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

The future of viticulture is evolving as the focus on sustainable agriculture improves and the search for environmentally friendly solutions becomes a priority. One of the most exciting areas in this sustainable revolution is the use of agricultural biologicals. Biologics are not new to the agricultural scene, but their potential is now being more fully realized in both conventional and organic viticulture. 
In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Pam Marrone, a trailblazer in the realm of agricultural biologicals. Pam has a long list of credentials and accolades in biological products, making her an esteemed expert in the field. Listen in to discover the value of integrating these natural solutions into your pest management strategy and why understanding biological products' function and proper use can positively impact plant health and crop yield. 
Join us to learn the economic and ecological benefits of biologicals, pest control management strategies, and much more.
In this episode, you will hear:
What Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) is and what you need to know about it. What the term “biological” means to grape growers. What the types of modes of action are. What can decrease the efficacy or be incompatible with biologicals. The benefits of using biologicals all season long and for the long term. Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Resources:
If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 
Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.
Check out episode 38 with Dr. Akif Eskalen for more information on biologicals for pruning wounds.
Today’s Guest:
Dr. Pam Marrone is an award-winning and well-recognized leader in the agricultural biologicals industry. Over her career, she has founded and run several successful biological focused companies that have developed and brought numerous products to market. She now serves as the co-founder and Executive Chair of the Invasive Species Corporation and the associated not-for-profit Invasive Species Research Institute, formed to deploy biologicals for control of invasive species in water, forestry, and agriculture.
Connect with Pam:
Invasive Species Corporation Website: https://invasivespeciescorporation.com/ 
Email: pam@invasivespeciescorporation.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InvasiveSppFdn 
Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to Shellt Grow Tubes for sponsoring today’s episode. Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND15 to save 15% off all online orders plus free shipping within the continental United States.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

A common conversation in vineyard management is knowing how to spray your vineyard effectively. On today's episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Andrew Landers, who wrote the book on vineyard spraying. He brings more than 30 years of research and development on vineyard and orchard spraying technologies and techniques to share with us.
In this episode, we discuss various tools and techniques to get the most out of your equipment and your product. This ranges from backpack sprayers when first starting to the best types of nozzles and how to calibrate your equipment for the most effective-sized droplets. Blasting clouds of spray into the air is a waste of product and something we’d like to leave in our past. Dr. Landers focuses on effectively getting the droplets from the nozzle to the plant and ensuring long-lasting equipment and a well-sprayed vineyard.
Listen in to learn all about effectively spraying your vineyard and helping your grapes thrive.
In this episode, you will hear:
What factors affect an effective spray, and why air blasting is a thing of the past.
Strategies for optimizing sprayer airflow and coverage.
The product concentration in the tank versus the actual product rate per acre.
How to know that the product is hitting the target.
Difference between a canopy and herbicide nozzle.
Common mistakes in vineyard spraying
Sprayer technologies that Dr. Landers thinks have the most potential.
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
Resources:
Visit effectivespraying.com to purchase Dr. Andrew Landers’ book Effective Vineyard Spraying or his other books - Effective Orchard Spraying and the Farm Machinery Book.
If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 
Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.
Today’s Guest:
Dr. Andrew Landers is an award-winning researcher and author and currently works as a consultant in precision spray technology. Previously, he directed the application technology program for Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York, where he focused on using engineering solutions to provide more effective and safer spraying. 
Connect with Andrew:
Website: https://effectivespraying.com/ 
Email: effectivespraying@gmail.com 
Episode Sponsor:
Thank you to our friends at Bahco for their sponsorship of today’s episode. As innovators for more than 165 years, Bahco has introduced the most advanced tools in the world, and Bacho products are manufactured in factories across Europe. I exclusively prune with the Bacho ERGO™ Bypass Secateurs with Elastomer Coated Fixed Handle (size medium).  Visit www.bahco.com/int_en to find a dealer near you to get the best pruning tools on the market, along with hedging tools, tying tools, picking tools, and more.
Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.