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Vineyard SiteAfter searching for 3 years for a suitable vineyard site, we found a 160 acre site with ideal wine grape growing conditions in the Sierra Foothills between Auburn and Grass Valley. The 160 acre site sits on a large knoll with gentle hillside slopes providing good breezes and air circulation while at the same time reasonable hillside tractor access conditions.
The Nevada County Irrigation canal runs through the site providing an ample and dependable supply of clean water throughout the growing season.
Approximately 15 backhoe pits were dug across the site and soil samples taken and analyzed to determine the suitability of soil chemistry and physical factors for vineyard development. As expected the samples showed good soil conditions with much of the site including rocky soils providing for good drainage conditions.
Historical weather conditions were examined. The site sits at 1300 ft elevation in an open valley with most of the hillsides facing east, south and south west. The site provides for warm days with cooling afternoon breezes and 30F cooler nights. Because of its micro climate the site also experiences cold winters with occasional snowfalls.
After purchasing the land in 1997 we set out preparing the site. Brush and boulders were removed while keeping most old growth oak trees.
To ensure good soil growing conditions the site was deep ripped and deep slip plowed to a depth of 4 to 5 feet. This was done in 4 feet increments in both north/south and east/west directions.
The result was a thorough top down and bottom up mixing of compacted soil layers making soil conditions ideal for young vine establishment.
Site specific infrastructure was then developed. A 7 1/2 foot deer fence was installed enclosing approximately 80 acres of the site for Phase I development.
A one acre surface area and 20 ft deep pond was built to ensure that an adequate reserve of water would be available at all times of the year.
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