Defining Crop Load Metrics for Quality Pinot Noir Production in Oregon

A three year study began in 2013 to determine the impact of varying crop levels on vine growth and vine balance. The project involves two components: 1) development of a large grower collaborator crop load study and 2) monitoring of vine growth, nutrition and physiology measures within four sites from the larger study. During 2013, the project included a total of 13 vineyard and winery businesses from across six AVAs in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Collaborators successfully completed their first season of data collection as of this reporting, and results are being compiled and analyzed in winter 2014. The additional data from the four sites within the study are being analyzed in winter 2014, but preliminary data that shows no difference in vine photosynethetic assimilation or vine nutrition at bloom or véraison when comparing full crop (non-thinned vines) with those thinned to one cluster/shoot.