Do you know what to prioritize in each stage of the growing season? In this episode, we broke down the priorities with vineyard management expert Matt Doyle based on the three main phases: bud burst through bloom, fruit set through veraison, and veraison through harvest. Listen in for a detailed overview of what growers should pay attention to during each stage for a successful growing season.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Matt’s journey from Cornell to California to owning Doyle Vineyard Management in the Finger Lakes region.

• Strategic diversification in vineyard operations, including leasing vineyards, selling grapes, and offering management services.

• Techniques for handling diverse grape varieties and seasonal challenges like spring frosts and mechanization.

• Planning and executing vineyard tasks from bud burst through harvest.

• Post-harvest strategies for maintaining vineyard health and productivity.

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Resources:

Register for Fritz’s FREE virtual live learning event, Breaking Bad Pruning Habits, on January 8th at 5 pm CST: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/breakingbad

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Today’s Guest:

Matt Doyle is the founder and owner of Doyle Vineyard Management in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Doyle Vineyard Management is a premier grape grower within the Finger Lakes, NY region, as well as a full-service vineyard management company specializing in providing all aspects of custom vineyard management and consulting.

Connect with Matt at Doyle Vineyard Management or on Facebook or Instagram

Episode Sponsors:

Today’s episode was brought to you by Bahco Tools and by Shellt Grow Tubes.

Bahco makes the most precise and comfortable pruning shears on the market, which is why I have exclusively pruned with Bahco’s PX Model ERGO Bypass shears (size medium) for years because my hand gets much less fatigued thanks to their ergonomic design. Visit www.bahco.com/int_en to find a dealer near you to get the best pruning tools on the market including their brand new P8 model precision shears, along with vineyard and orchard loppers, hedge shears, files, cutting blades, hand tools, and more.

Shellt makes the ultimate grow tubes for grape vines and orchard trees. Their grow tubes are reusable, recyclable, and designed to grow with your vineyard by clicking together for taller or wider coverage. I exclusively recommend Shellt Grow Tubes to the growers I work with. Visit https://www.shellt.us/ and order with the code UNDERGROUND15 to save 15% off all online orders plus free shipping within the continental United States.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.