The "Z" is currently at 22 acres total but within 2 months will be completely planted and should total 26 acres.  At this moment it consist of 11 acres of Chambourcin, which will be in their 3rd leaf in 2002, 6 acres of Vivant and 5 acres of Vincent both entering their 4th leaf.  This year we will plant an additional 4 acres of Vivant on the site.  Spacing is 8x9 and all vines are trained up their own stake to achieve straight trunks to facilitate mechanization.  The training system is a high bilateral cordon.  Fertility management started with amendments of high Calcium lime and about 12 tons per acre of compost to stimulate soil biology and fertility.  Eventually we plan to have the vineyard rows mulched in order to avoid herbicides and their negative effects on soil biology.

March 11th, 2002