How to Grow a Small Vineyard
A vineyard requires a lot of work but can be a pleasant business in that the grower has the ability to sell her grapes in several forms---as wine, fresh fruit, dried fruit or preserves. You can make your vineyard as small or as large as you like; however, a smaller vineyard would be beneficial for the first-time grower and would require less time and fewer employees. Small vineyards can focus on smaller quantities of wines and grapes, they can be established on less land, and the grower would get to know the clients and build a more personal relationship with them.
Instructions
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Choose your type or types of grapes, and decide if you want to start a grape vineyard, a winery or a combination of both. This is the very first thing you need to do because you won't know which supplies you will need that are specific to your grapes until you know this. Choosing which type of grape will also help in determining the quantity and quality of your vineyard, and its produce. The most widely used grapes across the globe are Vitis viniteria, a type of grape that is responsible for merlot, reisling, chenin blanc and pinot noir to just name a few. According to Queensland Government, these variations are used in 99 percent of vineyards across the world.
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Find a piece of land that is frost free that has well drained soil, and that isn't too fertile; grapes do not do well in soil that is well fertilized. You want to plant your vineyard on land that accommodates a climate that has a relatively dry humidity that is cool during the evening, but not wet. This is especially important during the ripening period that occurs January through March. Grapes are extremely hardy and will do well in soil that is considered to be of inferior quality. For this reason, grapes are ideal for hard-to-sow and hard-to-grow-in areas.
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Plant your vineyard, and make sure you have access to a water supply rather it is through a natural source such as a dam, creek and rain water or through an irrigation system. Having access to a water source will allow you to maximize the production of your grape yield, which in turn will allow you to make more wine and sell more grape products. Depending on how large your vineyard is, you may want to hire someone to help you care for it.
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Check your states requirements for liquor and business licensing. Fill out the appropriate forms for the type of vineyard you want to grow. Develop a plan for advertising your new business or if you choose to use your vineyard as a hobby, share with your family and friends.
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