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.
VPS is a vineyard management company that oversees over 4,000 acres in three counties along CA’s Central Coast. They specialize in sourcing properties, planting vineyards, and providing ongoing farm management services. Randy and his team have planted an impressive 65 vineyards in the area so far. Alongside vineyard management, VPS also offers wine growing consulting and various other services to ensure new vineyard owners get started on the right foot.
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.
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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.
