Improve Grape Quality
by Letting the Sun Shine In

The frost that swept through North Coast vineyards put a chill on hopes for the 2001 growing season. After cataloging the damage, every grower is looking for a way to make the most out what remains on the vine.

Assuming water is not a problem for you (a big assumption, we know), fungal diseases like bunch rot and powdery mildew are going to be a big enemy. The scenario will be worse if we have an early onset of the rainy season.

Studies have shown that your best defense against these threats is an open canopy. Maintaining an open canopy by pruning vine leaves lets the sun in, reducing the chances that those foul fungi get a foothold. It also increases the chances that sulfur and other sprays are distributed more efficiently, halting disease development. An open canopy also reduces sulfur application rates, saving you money. Especially in a bad year, keeping your eye on the bottom line just couldn't be more important.

For growers focused on producing premium grapes, opening the vine canopy is one of the simplest methods of improving grape quality. While lush leaf growth looks great to passing motorists, careful leaf pruning improves vine fruitfulness, increases berry size, improves fruit color, enhances fruit flavor and speeds maturation. A tasty prospect, don't you agree?

With increased tonnage being harvested from the ever-expanding wine grape acreage coming into production, winemakers are getting pickier. Leaf pruning helps you deliver fruit that has the subtle flavor structure they're looking for. It's how they make great wine.

Did you know... ...That Richard Smart, the famous Autralian Flying Vine Doctor, defines an open canopy as one which has 80% of the leaves and 60% of the fruit are exposed to the exterior. To find out more about the man who revolutionized canopy management, click here. ...That shaded fruit tends to have higher than desired potassium, pH, and acidity, along with reduced concentrations of phenols and soluble solids; its character is significantly affected, imparting often-undesirable flavors to the fruit.

Make it happen with Avidor's Leaf Removal System. It's the most advanced tool in the field.

Manufactured in Switzerland, Avidor's precision technology is currently being used by many large North Coast vineyard operations.

Eliminate leaf picking by hand. Lower your operating costs. Avidor shears approximately 1.5 acres per hour at a cost of approximately $50 per acre.

Availability is limited!
Rainbow's shipment will arrive in May, but they'll be gone by the time leaf-picking season gets going. Rainbow is accepting pre-season orders now; mention this ad for an early-order discount.

Want to see Avidor at work for yourself?
Arrange to see a Field Demonstration of Avidor's advanced technology, call one of the Rainbow field reps:

Jim Munson, Northern Lake/Mendocino
(707) 468-6549 (pager)
munsonjim@netscape.net

Bob Mitrovich, Napa/Sonoma
(707) 316-2108 (pager)
BobMitro@aol.com

Jerry Smith, Napa/Sonoma
(707) 324-1940 (pager)
jvsmithbow@aol.com

Ron Breedlove, Southern Mendocino/Northern Sonoma
(707) 316-1175 (pager)
breedloveron@hotmail.com