Viticulture and Enology at Washington State University

VineWeb

Growing Grapes in Washington State

Growing grapes can be a challenge in any environment, but especially in a state that ranges from a maritime climate with more than 30 inches of average annual precipitation to cool desert climates that only receive ~8 inches annually in precipitation.

This page helps to answer questions about viticulture production in the Pacific Northwest, and when available, specific topics in Washington State. A number of presentations are also available from previous lectures around the state. Please contact members of the WSU Extension community with questions.


Resources for Starting a Vineyard

This document offers a compilation of books at varying levels of knowledge about starting and maintaining a productive vineyard. Included is a list of WSU faculty that have responsibilities in grape production and/or current research in topic areas.

Features of Washington State

  • Annual Precipitation (1960-1990)

  • Geologic Map

  • Soil Survey

    This is an interactive site where you can choose the city and even get closer to determine the soil type in a specific vineyard using satellite imagery.
  • Average Monthly Temperatures for Washington State

    This site offers the average temperature by month for many sites from 1971-2000. Check out the location nearest you with "Google Map" precision.
  • Western Regional Climate Center

    This site contains historical information regarding growing degree days, temperature, precipitation, wind speed and directions for a number of locations in the Western United States.
  • Normal Climate Maps for United States

    Use this site to get frost/freeze data for the past 30 years, precipitation
    data, and more through the NOAA.There is also information about the
    individual climates of Washington State in a .pdf document that is
    useful when determining potential vineyard sites.

Publications

Drought

 

Irrigation

 

Grape Pests

 

Disease Management

 

Herbicide Drift Issues

 

Economics of Grape Production and Wineries

 

Grape Production

 

Vine Nutrition

 

Soils

 

Vineyard Floor Management

 

For the following publications, please go to the Publications website for WSU Extension.

  • EB1358 Site Selection for Grapes in Eastern Washington

  • EB 1370 Botrytis Bunch Rot of Grape

  • XB1037 Washington Wine Grape Industry Impacts on the
    State's Economy

  • EB0637 Training and Trellising Grapes for Production in
    Washington

  • MISC0253 Berries for the Inland Northwest

 

Presentations

 

Grapevine Growing Stages

2004, WSU-IAREC, Prosser, WA

As we go through the growing season, I'll post pictures of the grapevines. They will correspond to a number on the Eichorn-Lorenz scale, indicated in parenthesis of the picture description.

Vitis vinifera growth stages

Vitis labruscana growth stage

Eichorn-Lorenz Stages of Grapevine Growth


Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin; physical, mental or sensory disability; marital status, sexual orientation; or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.

 

WSU-Prosser & Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture , 24106 N. Bunn Rd., Washington State University, Prosser WA 99350, 509-786-2226, Contact Us