Vinifera Wine Grapes Crop Guide

Estimated Cost $15,000 to $20,000 per acre and $3,500 per acre annual management; harvest in July, August, September depending on location and grape variety
Market Outlets Texas wineries
Market Potential Good, but fruit quality must be high; should have a contract with an established winery
Profit Potential $0 to $3,000 per acre
Adapted Areas West, Central and North Texas
Labor Requirements One person per 4 acres the second and third years and eight to ten persons per acre at harvest
Equipment Requirements Tractor, mower, airblast sprayer, herbicide sprayer
Soil Requirements Well-drained, minimum 2 ft deep
Water Requirements Drip irrigation; 20 gallons per vine per week required
Minimum Size 1/2 acre
Risk Factor Moderate
Other Limiting Factors Pierce’s disease prevents vinifera production in Gulf Coast; black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases require preventative spray programs. Cotton root rot, winter freeze, spring frost, and hail are risk factors in many areas. Other pests include phylloxera, grape berry moth, green june beetle, leafhoppers, leaf skeletonizer, and nematodes.
Comments Production of quality vinifera wine in Texas has stimulated development of more than 160 wineries in Texas.

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