Our 14-year-old vineyards have four acres of Marechal Foch and one acre of La Crosse vines in production.

Reds
Foch is a versatile, French hybrid cultivar that we have chosen because it is very winter hardy, has low susceptibility to disease in our region. We are limited in the types of high quality wine grapes we can grow by our severe low temperatures.  We can expect -20 degrees Fahrenheit for a week each winter. From the Marechal Foch vineyards we harvest between 3 and 4 tons of grapes per acre each year and we make three distinctive red wines: A Beaujolais-style nouveau, a soft, off-dry table wine and a full-bodied, aged Burgundy-style table wine.

Tabor Home is one of few wineries in the nation producing wines from La Crosse, a highly prized, versatile white hybrid that was also studied in Minnesota. This grape can be used for a dry, barrel fermented-style dry white and a semi-sweet, fruity wine.

We have tried to grow Seyval Blanc and Vignoles.  They have been marginal in their winter hardiness and we have removed them from our vineyards over the past several years.

Winegrowing in Iowa    

We are promoting the establishment of new vineyards in Iowa and helping farmers Statewide to plant vineyards as alternative crops. It is exciting for us that 20 Eastern Iowa growers have planted 30+ acres of vineyards. These new plantings have doubled the vineyard acreage in Iowa.

A recent publication from the Leopold Center provides a great background to grape production in Iowa in the past and the possible markets of the future for Iowa grapes.

An interesting article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette generated many requests for information growing grapes for Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery.

Information for Growers

In the summer of 2000, the Iowa Grape Growers Association was founded. The purposes of this organization are: 1. To gather and provide information regarding viticulture to Iowa growers. 2. To better the conditions of those engaged in viticulture. 3. To improve the quality and marketability of grapes produced in Iowa. 4. To promote the Iowa wine industry and other value-added uses of grapes. 5. To network and cooperate with related government agencies, educational institutions, development organizations and private industry to address the purposes stated above. 6. To promote a healthy social and political environment conducive to grape growing and wine making. Membership is available to grape growers, grape processors and individuals, businesses and organizations interested in viticulture in Iowa.

For more information about the Iowa Grape Growers Association, contact Paul Tabor.

Over the past three years, Paul Tabor has presented seminars at Tabor Home Vineyards for prospective growers. The following information is an outline of the combined presentations given in these seminars

Choice of site is critical; factors of importance include: 1.water drainage, 2.air drainage, 3.exposure to sun, 4.surrounding crop land, and 5.surrounding trees

Preparation of vineyard

1. If site has been cropland there is a need to break the hardpan by subsoiling or by using an auger to dig holes for planting

2. The trellising per acre requires 1500 yd. of high-tensile strength wire and 400 treated posts (3 in. or more in diameter).

3. Preparing 690 holes per acre for rooted grape stock or grape cuttings with spacing of 7 ft. between plants and 9 ft. between rows.

4. Fertilization and planting by hand in March and April

Cuttings or Rooted plants

A major decision is whether to start with dormant unrooted cuttings or rooted plants.

A. Dormant cuttings: 1.Can be obtained free; 2.Plant cuttings in a nursery area to make first year care easier and allow time to prepare vineyard. Nearly 100% of vines rooted in a nursery survive transplanting to vineyard; 3.Irrigation must be available the first year rooted plants are set out in vineyard; 4.Commercial crop the fourth year after starting cuttings.

B. Rooted plants: 1. #1 rooted plants are $2.00-$3.50 per plant depending on nursery and number ordered; 2.Vineyard must be prepared and irrigation or means of watering the whole vineyard must be available; 3.Commercial crop third year after planting.

Training vines and maintenance of vineyard

1. First year care of vineyard requires monitoring water availability, training new growth, weed control, and protecting plants from grazing animals.

2. Second year care requires training the new trunk, control of diseases, weed control and protecting plants from grazing animals.

3. Subsequent years require pruning, control of diseases, weed control, control of vine vigor, protecting fruit from grazing animals and birds, and HARVESTING!

Equipment for maintenance of vineyard

1. Riding mower and hand sprayers are needed for vineyards up to 2 acres.

2. A gasoline-powered pull-type sprayer and small tractor with mower and wagon is needed for vineyards up to 10 acres. 

Wine grape cultivars for Iowa

Important considerations in the choice of wine grape cultivars for Iowa: 1.Winter hardiness, 2.General wine characteristics related to cultivar, 3.Resistances to fungal diseases, chemicals, crown gall, 4.Viticulture characteristics: vine growth, yield potential, bunch type, budding and ripening dates, grafting

1. American Grapes: Delaware, Catawba, Norton/Cynthiana - a native Missouri variety

2. French-American Hybrid Grapes: Reds: Marechal Foch**, Leon Millot*, Whites: Seyval Blanc, Vignoles

3. Northern Vineyards (Minnesota) varieties: Reds: St. Croix**, Frontenac, White: La Crosse**

4. Vinifera varieties: NONE

Sources of wine grapes

Foster Grapevines, Concord Nurseries, Inc., Mileblock Rd., North Collins, NY 14111, Phone: 800-223-2211. Fax: 716-337-3246. (Ask for planting guide)

New York State Fruit Testing Cooperative Association, Inc., P.O. Box 462, Geneva, NY 14456, Phone: 315-787-2205 ($10.00 membership required)

American Nursery, Route 1, Box 87B1, Madison VA 22727, Phone: (540) 948 5064

Post Familie Vineyard, Thomas Post, Altus, AR, Phone: (501) 468-2665

Wollersheim Winery in Wisconsin (1-800-847-9463, (608) 643-6515) has supplied cuttings and rooted stock.

Tabor Family Winery vineyards can supply cuttings.

Weed Control

1. For the first three years, only need contact herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup) for control of weeds in the row. (Mowing between rows)

2. After three years and when vineyard is in production, preemergent herbicides such as simazine can be used to control weeds in the row. Glyphosate is still needed.

3. For additional possibilities for weed control see the 2000 copy of the Missouri Commercial Grape Pest Control Guide (Dept. of Fruit Science, SMSU Research Campus, Mountain Grove, MO, 65711-9252) and Iowa Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide (1994) (PM-1375) (See Cooperative Extension Service).

Fungus disease Control

1. Preventative chemicals

Mancozeb for Black Rot and Downy Mildew

Fenarimol or Benomyl for Powdery Mildew

Metalaxyl for Downy Mildew

"Abound" for Black Rot, Downy and Powdery Mildew (new in 1998)

2. Erradicative chemicals

Myclobutanil or Triadimefon for Black Rot and Powdery Mildew

Insect Control

Carbaryl for Leaf hoppers, Grape Berry Moth, Mealy bugs, June Beetles, Cut Worms

Endosulfan for folliar Phylloxera (Beware: some American grapes are injured by Endosulfan)

Bird Control

Scare-aways and recordings of bird distress calls (Robins, Starlings)

Raccoon and Deer Control

Electric Fence, large dogs, scents

Very Important Sources of information on grape growing

1. Missouri Commercial Grape Pest Control Guide (Dept. of Fruit Science, SMSU Research Campus, Mountain Grove, MO, 65711-9252)

2. Iowa Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide (1994) (PM-1375) (See Cooperative Extension Service).

3. Vineyard and Vintage View. Monthly Newsletter from SW Missouri State Univ., Dept. of Fruit Science, Fruit Experimental Station, Mountain Grove, MO 65711 Phone: (417) 926-4105

4. Wine East, bi-monthly trade magazine (717) 393-0943

5. Practical Winery and Vineyard, bi-monthly trade magazine (415) 479-5819

6. Cost of Producing Grapes For Wine and Juice Processing in Arkansas - full reference in handout material.

7. Iowa State University Extension: Mark Gleason, Plant Pathologist, Donald Lewis, Entomologist, Paul Domoto, Horticulturist, Gail Nonnecke, Horticulturist

8. Compendium of Grape Diseases, APS Press. 1988. American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Rd., St. Paul, MN 55121 ISBN: 0-89054-088-8 Phone: 1-800-328-7560

9. Training and Pruning of Small Fruit Crops in Missouri (MS-14) 1989. Dept of Fruit Sciences, SW Missouri State U. Mountain Grove, MO

Equipment Suppliers for Grape Growers

1. MDT and Associates, Mary Jo Thaden, manager, Phone: (612) 529-4355 Fax: (612) 522-5843. 3527 Morgan Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55412 (pruning, grow tubes)

2. Orchard Valley Supply, Fawn Grove PA Phone: (717) 382-4612 (all items, trellising supplies)

3. The Grower's Supply Center, Fallston, MD Phone: (410) 931-3111

Production and Crop Value

1. Vines that are 3 years old can produce up to 10 lb. per plant.

2. Vines that are 4 years or older can produce up to 20 lb. per plant and this translates into 7 tons per acre. Reasonable expectations in Iowa are 3-4.5 tons per acre. One ton of grapes produces 160 gallons of wine.

3. Wineries are not interested in less than one ton of grapes due to handling considerations. Growers should consider planting one acre, or at the minimum 1/2 acre of the same type of grapes.

4. Value of wine grapes depending on quality, cultivar, label designation that can be used: American cultivars: $300-600 per ton; French hybrids: $600-1000 per ton (top value is $6.25 per gal. of potential wine); New hybrids (include Norton/Cynthiana, St. Croix and Frontenac): $700-1200 per ton (top value is $7.50 per gal.)

5. Often growers will make contracts with wineries for grapes in the winter. The Tabor Family Winery would be very interested in Iowa-grown Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Norton/Cynthiana, Frontenac, St. Croix, Seyval Blanc and Vignoles grapes.

Sources of Funding/Financing

1. Rural Economic Value-added Mentoring Program (REVAMP) assistance in business planning for those interested in developing value-added agriculture industries in Iowa (515) 281-6936. Pat Paustian.

2. Self Employment Loan Program (SELP) 5% loans for small businesses (loans only to $10,000). (515) 242-4793

3. Rotating Loan Program -low cost loans -State program but locally directed. Contact banks in your county.

4. Talk to Warren Johnson at Limestone Bluffs RC&D (lbluffsrcd@ia.usda.gov) if you are in eastern Iowa.

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