Dr. Patty Skinkis, Professor & Viticulture Extension Specialist at Oregon State University, joined me for a recent podcast episode to discuss what the research really shows about the long standing industry belief that low yield produces higher quality wine. Today’s blog features select Q&As from my conversation with Patty.
How did your decade-long vineyard experiment aim to debunk the yield-quality myth in viticulture?
The experiment involved multiple Oregon growers who were guided and trained to carry out research in their vineyards across the 10-year span. The growers performed various levels of cluster thinning on Pinot Noir vines, and then the resulting fruit and wine was independently compared to see if lower yield (higher thinned) vines produced better fruit and in turn better wine.
What were the findings from the Oregon Pinot Noir yield management experiment?
The results from the experiment revealed that there weren’t significant differences in wine quality based on crop level. This debunked the belief that reducing crop level increases wine quality. The research also showed that increasing yields could have positive economic implications for the producers.
What were the economic implications of increasing yields, according to the research?
The research showed that increasing yields could lead to increased revenue and decreased costs of goods sold. Producers could apply the findings to produce more high-end wine or increase the volume of their entry-level wine, which often brings in the most profit.
What is the importance of tracking pruning weights and cluster weights in vineyards?
Tracking pruning weights and cluster weights provides valuable insights into how far growers can push their yield boundaries. It helps to determine if vines are overcropped and defines the boundaries for yield projection.
How has your research changed the viticulture industry’s perspective on yield and quality?
The research has disproven the long-standing belief that lower yields do not always result in higher quality wine. These findings have given growers and winemakers the knowledge and tools to understand yields better and have led to changes in thinning practices resulting in increased yields and profits for many growers in Oregon. This study has also set a precedent for other regions to formally evaluate the yield/quality relationship in their vineyards.
Listen to the full details of all of Patty’s research results and her guidance for achieving crop balance in the vineyard – www.vineyardundergroundpodcast.com/vu023.
