PCC Nov/Dec 2019

VINEYARD REVIEW
ANGLED SHOOT
( SASP)
PROJECTION
TRELLIS DESIGN
By STEVE SHOEMAKER | Grower
We have a small vineyard consisting
of mostly French and a few Spanish
varietals planted on deep sand,
sandy loam, and river rock clay
soils. The deep sand soil creates vines
that are balanced in growth and grapes that produce
wines with a mineral touch. In contrast, the sandy loam
soil creates vines that are overgrown with grapes that are
excellent as long as the vine growth is controlled in order
to keep the vines balanced. The vines were planted in the
river rock clay area a few years ago.
The area where the vineyard is planted is a micro-climate
within Region 4 (warm growing area) with fall wine
grape ripening season in the 90’s during the day and
40’s at night, excellent for slow and balanced ripening.
Since I take care of all vineyard and cellar requirements,
I am always looking for designs and procedures that
decrease time, work, and number of steps for completion.
Everything is consciously engineered and tested
for simplicity, repeatable results, and ease of care.
VSP
When the vines were first planted in 2007, I naturally
assumed that Vertical Shoot Projection (VSP)
was “the” way to trellis the vines because of its
popularity and my ignorance of trellising designs.
Because the rows are oriented east-west for esthetic
reasons, special considerations were required for
sun protection on the south side of the vines.
I discovered that it was very difficult to get grapes of
full physiological maturity balanced with the right
brix to make premium wines, so I began looking at the
trellis design wondering if there was a better way to
achieve my goal of premium grapes without the extensive
leaf and cane thinning and hedging. As I looked
more intently at the VSP design, I decided there was
a better way to trellis the grapes for this area; one that
enabled easier vine maintenance without multiplying
issues, like the ever-prominent powdery mildew.
With the VSP trellis, I had to grow the southside of the
Continued on Page 44
Figure 1: Syrah on SASP Trellis. All photos courtesy of Steve Shoemaker.
42 Progressive Crop Consultant November / December 2019