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Vineyard Underground

Vineyard Underground

Von: Fritz Westover
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 What if you could hang out with experienced grape growers, ask them about the science of grape growing, vineyard operations, and more; then take an insight or two to improve your vineyard and ultimately the quality of the wines you produce? That's what we do each week on the Vineyard Underground. Hosted by Fritz Westover –– viticulture expert more than 20 years of experience in the vineyard industry –– every episode is an in-depth look at grape growing methods, care, and even complicated matters of fertilization and pest and disease management? The goal is to provide you with an understanding of the complicated aspects of viticulture science so that experienced and even first-time grape growers will be able to understand and implement new practices in their vineyard.2022 Kochen Kunst Lebensmittel & Wein
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  • 097: Fritz Reviews Reddit Viticulture Advice

    097: Fritz Reviews Reddit Viticulture Advice
    May 12 2026

    We are back with another solo episode! Fritz dives into the world of Reddit viticulture advice to separate helpful guidance from misleading recommendations. Using real vineyard and winemaking questions pulled from Reddit threads, Fritz evaluates the quality of the responses while adding his own professional perspective.

    The episode covers a wide range of vineyard topics, but throughout it, Fritz highlights an important lesson for growers at every level: context matters. Many online answers contain kernels of truth, but successful vineyard management depends on site conditions, climate, soil, vine age, regional disease pressure, and long-term goals. He explains why broad internet advice often lacks the specificity growers actually need to make confident decisions.

    Listeners will come away with a fresh perspective on vineyard establishment, irrigation management, pruning strategies, disease prevention, and realistic expectations for small-scale winegrowing projects.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    • Establishing vineyards in cool climates like the UK and Northern Europe

    • PIWI grape varieties and disease-resistant planting strategies

    • Realistic timelines for vineyard establishment and first harvests

    • Challenges of starting and managing a small hobby vineyard

    • Irrigation management for young vines during extreme summer heat

    • Reviving neglected Frontenac and Edelweiss vineyards in the Midwest

    Follow and Review:

    If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners. 💜 Click the '+' in the top right corner of Apple Podcasts to follow now.

    Resources:

    If you're starting a vineyard or thinking about starting a vineyard, visit https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/growsmart to get Fritz's online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course to help you get your vineyard planned and planted correctly from the start. Use the code PODCAST at checkout to save $89.99 as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

    Get more information from Fritz about soil moisture sensors – types of sensors, location and placement, installation, and understanding soil monitoring data at https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/sensor.

    Have a vineyard question? Go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

    Episode Sponsor:

    Today's episode was brought to you by Vintner's Vault and Vigneron Toy Store.

    Thank you to Vintner's Vault for sponsoring today's episode! Vintner's Vault is the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers, who are also winemakers. Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order, or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages, and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.

    Thank you to Vigneron Toy Store for sponsoring today's episode. Vigneron Toy Store specializes in Harvesters, Sprayers, Frost Mitigation Equipment, Canopy Management Trimmers, and more. As grape growers themselves, they can expertly help you determine the best equipment for your specific vineyard needs. And, as a special offer for our podcast listeners, you can save 5% off in-stock machines by entering the promo code Underground on the contact form at vignerontoystore.com.

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.
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    40 Min.
  • 096: Do Plant Growth Regulators Have a Place in Winegrapes with Dr. Matthew Fidelibus

    096: Do Plant Growth Regulators Have a Place in Winegrapes with Dr. Matthew Fidelibus
    Apr 28 2026
    Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are powerful tools that can dramatically influence vine performance, but they also come with complexity and risk. In this episode, Fritz welcomes back Dr. Matthew W. Fidelibus of UC Davis to explore how these compounds are used across table, raisin, and wine grape production. Dr. Fidelibus explains that PGRs include both naturally occurring plant hormones and synthetic compounds that mimic hormonal effects. While they've long been foundational in table grape production, their use in winegrapes is far less common and more nuanced. The conversation highlights how sensitivity to timing, rate, and variety is critical, with even small misapplications potentially affecting fruit set, bud development, or yields across multiple seasons. Fritz and Dr. Fidelibus dig into specific compounds like gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, and ethephon, discussing how they can influence berry size, cluster architecture, color development, and ripening. They also explore emerging research on improving color in virus-affected vineyards, delaying ripening in warm climates, and even modifying aroma profiles. A key takeaway is that PGRs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They require careful evaluation, regulatory compliance, and, ideally, small-scale trials before broader use. For growers facing challenges like poor fruit set, uneven ripening, or compact clusters, these tools may offer targeted solutions — but only when used with precision and a strong understanding of vine physiology. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of both the potential and the pitfalls of incorporating PGRs into vineyard management. In this episode, you will hear: Overview of plant growth regulators and how they influence vine physiology Historical use of PGRs in table and raisin grape production Key compounds like gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, and ethephon Applications for cluster thinning, berry sizing, and color development Challenges and risks of using PGRs in winegrapes Emerging research, including virus mitigation and ripening control Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners. 💜 Click the '+' in the top right corner of Apple Podcasts to follow now. Resources: Come grow with Fritz through https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout. Have a vineyard question? Go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. Today's Guest: Dr. Matthew W. Fidelibus is an extension specialist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis. Connect with Matthew and view his research – https://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/people/matthew-fidelibus#/ or follow him at https://bsky.app/profile/viticulture.bsky.social Episode Sponsor: Today's episode was brought to you by Clemens Technologies and SensorInsight. Thank you to Clemens Technologies for sponsoring today's episode. Clemens Technologies is the market leader in machinery for all elements of vineyard management. Visit https://www.clemens-online.com/us/ and provide the code UNDERGROUND to receive 5% off your order of in-stock machinery. Or reach out to Thomas Clemens directly at thomas@clemens-america.com with any questions. Thank you to SensorInsight for sponsoring today's episode. SensorInsight is a leader in vineyard soil moisture and weather monitoring. SensorInsight designs state-of-the-art, remote satellite monitoring of soil moisture and weather, bringing actionable information for your vineyard operations straight to your phone, with real-time data so you can best decide when to turn on your irrigation, how long to run the system, and learn how the dynamics of soil moisture can change over a given season. Visit them today at https://sensorinsight.io. And don't forget to mention the code Underground to receive a discount on your SensorInsight solution. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.
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    51 Min.
  • 095: Transitioning from Conventional to Organic Grape Farming with Rob Warren

    095: Transitioning from Conventional to Organic Grape Farming with Rob Warren
    Apr 14 2026
    Organic grape production is gaining momentum, but making the transition from conventional farming requires careful planning, patience, and a willingness to adapt. In this episode of Vineyard Underground, Fritz welcomes Rob Warren, owner and operator of Desert Willow Vineyard and Warren Farms in Seminole, Texas, to share his experience converting his vineyard to certified organic production. Rob explains how his agricultural background in organic row crops gave him experience with organic systems long before he applied those principles to grape growing. As consumer demand began to shift toward more natural and sustainably produced wines, wineries started seeking organic fruit, prompting Rob to pursue certification. During the conversation, Fritz and Rob walk through the realities of transitioning a vineyard to organic management. Rob discusses the three-year certification timeline, the importance of documenting the final use of conventional inputs, and the need for growers to rethink pest, disease, and weed management strategies. A major focus of the episode is that Rob uses sheep in the vineyard. The sheep help control weeds, provide natural fertilization, and even assist with canopy management by removing leaves in the fruiting zone. Throughout the episode, Rob provides honest background information on the challenges and the long-term benefits of improved soil health and stronger vine resilience. For vineyard owners considering organic production, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world lessons from a grower who has successfully made the switch. In this episode, you will hear: Market demand from wineries and consumers increasingly favors organic grape production Weed management is often the biggest early challenge when moving away from conventional herbicides Sheep can play a valuable role in weed control, fertilization, and canopy leaf removal Organic pest and disease control often requires more frequent monitoring and spray applications Soil health improvements through cover crops and livestock integration strengthen long-term vineyard resilience Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners. 💜 Click the '+' in the top right corner of Apple Podcasts to follow now. Resources: Register for Fritz's live, virtual two‑day Early Season Vineyard Management Bootcamp on April 22nd and 23rd. Come grow with Fritz through https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout. Have a vineyard question? Go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. Today's Guest: Rob Warren is the owner and operator of Desert Willow Vineyard and Warren Farms in Seminole, Texas, and a leading innovator in regenerative and organic vineyard management and farming. Connect with Rob: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertwillowvineyard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertwillowvineyard/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrjWaulJw7tATQC3trzhPJQ Episode Sponsor: Today's episode was brought to you by Clemens Technologies and Sunridge Nurseries. Thank you to Clemens Technologies for sponsoring today's episode. Clemens Technologies is the market leader in machinery for all elements of vineyard management. Visit https://www.clemens-online.com/us/ and provide the code UNDERGROUND to receive 5% off your order of in-stock machinery. Or reach out to Thomas Clemens directly at thomas@clemens-america.com with any questions. Thank you to Sunridge Nurseries for sponsoring today's episode. Sunridge Nurseries is the exclusive nursery sponsor of the Vineyard Underground podcast. They have been a family-owned company for over 45 years, and their dedicated focus on quality and consistency has grown them into the largest supplier of grapevines in both North and South America and the industry leader in nursery standards. Visit them today at SunridgeNurseries.com and mention the code Underground to receive a podcast listener discount on your vine order. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.
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    1 Std.
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