The Economics of Wine Production in Virginia

Authors: Eric R. Capps, Viticulture Extension Assistant, Alson H. Smith Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech. Currently Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech; Tony K. Wolf, Viticulture Extension Specialist, Alson H. Smith Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech, Winchester, VA; B. Jerry Walker, Financing Specialist, Agricultural Development Services, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Richmond, VA.

Publication Number 463-008, posted June, 1998

Table 1. Training and vine spacing dimensions and expected yields of the four training systems evaluated in the budgets.

ParameterNon-divided
canopy
VSP 7'x7'
Non-divided
canopy
VSP lO'x7'
Divided
canopy
Iyre 10'x7'
Divided
canopy
Smart-Dyson
lO'x7'
Row width (ft)710 1010
Vine spacing in row (ft)7 777
Post spacing in row (ft)28 282828
Row length (ft)448448448448
Posts per row171717 17
Rows per acre141010 10
Vines per row646464 64
Vines per acre (based on model)896640 640640
Feet of canopy per row448448896896
Feet of canopy per acre6,2724,480 8,9608,960
Model area (43,560 ft2 per acre)43,904 44,80044,80044,800
Yield at maturity (tons/acre)5.64.0 6.86.0

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