Project launched to boost Cabernet Sauvignon's ability to cope with global warming
A project which ultimately aims to give Cabernet Sauvignon greater resilience to climate change was launched in California last week.
UC Cooperative Extension, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Duarte Nursery are launching what they claim is the wine industry's most ambitious Cabernet Sauvignon rootstock and clone trial in the Red Hills of Lake County to boost the varietals ability to withstand the effects of global warming.
Cabernet Sauvignon is California's second top selling varietal in volume terms, just behind Chardonnay.
“We have been growing Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1970s, and we are very proud to be part of this trial, which will help improve Cabernet Sauvignon growing for years to come,” said Andy Beckstoffer, CEO and owner of Beckstoffer Vineyards , which is providing both the land and labour for the project.
Dubbed “the mother of all Cabernet trials” - “Climate-smart Solutions for Cabernet Sauvignon Production” – it ncludes 3,600 vines with 10 Cabernet Sauvignon clones on 10 rootstocks. Designed to address resiliency in a changing climate, the trial will study which combinations produce the best results with a focus on drought tolerance and water-use efficiency as well as crop yield and grape quality.
“This trial will give us data that will help inform and improve growing practices for Cabernet Sauvignon across the state for the next two decades,” said the trial's lead researcher, S Kaan Kurtural, UC Cooperative Extension viticulture specialist.
Pedro Rubio, Beckstoffer Vineyards Red Hills general manager, said, “Lake County will definitely benefit, but the results from this trial will be very helpful for the whole industry.”
The vineyard will be planted this year and the first crop will be harvested in 2021. It will take at least six years to begin to see consistent results.