Cabernet Sauvignon is a vigorous, variety with late bud break and late maturity. It is one of the world’s most widely renowned red wine varieties, grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates. Cabernet Sauvignon makes a high quality wine if grapes are harvested at full maturity. Wines can be robust and full-bodied with superior aging potential. In this post we highlight on some of the things growers should note before engaging on grapes farming business and on how to grow wine grapes the right way

Grapes are a popular agricultural crop all over the world. There are more than 10,000 different varieties of grapes worldwide, which are consumed in a variety of forms. Whole grapes intended for fresh consumption are called “table grapes.” Grapes can also be dried to make raisins, preserved in jams and jellies, or crushed to make juice.

Things to note growing grapes for wine in Kenya

Growing grapes for wine is a labour-intensive undertaking and by no means a cheap venture to set up and run. Costs include, but are not limited to; trellising, irrigation, pumping and vine material. The time factor is not to be underestimated.

For those looking to grow grapes for wineries, there are two essential components to establishing a supplier-buyer relationship:

  1. Understand what the winemaker wants.
  2. Develop a trusting relationship. Be open and upfront and have contracts in place: there is nothing worse than having an excellent crop ready, but no home for it to go to.

A grape purchasing agreement between a grower and winery, or agent such as a broker, can include specifications around a number of parameters:

  • Maturity parameters such as flavour and colour.
  • Measures of grape purity. For example, the inclusion of fungi, dust, matter other than grapes, or residue from agrochemicals.
  • Assessment of the condition of grapes, such as damage to berries, or oxidation or fermentation prior to delivery.

Each winery will have its own tolerance levels with regard to specifications detailed in the purchasing agreement. It is important that growers be fully aware of any consequences for failure to meet tolerances.

Penalties might include:

  • A price penalty in proportion with the degree to which the grapes fail to meet tolerances.
  • Downgrading to a lower category (which will likely also result in a lower price).
  • Rejection of individual loads or possibly entire crops.
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Just as the winery is responsible for wine production, vineyard owners carry the responsibility and risks associated with grape production, including harvest and delivery.

An objective of growers and wineries should be to work together to identify problems as early as possible, preferably in the vineyard prior to harvest, so that effective action can be taken to avoid grapes being downgraded or rejected.

Grapes that are downgraded or rejected represent a missed opportunity for both the grower and the winemaker.

Generally, ownership of the grapes passes from the grower to the winery at the receival point. It is at this point that any final assessments to check grapes against specifications should take place. Purchase agreements should clearly specify the point where risk and title transfers.

Returns are difficult to estimate, and it can be a number of years before any are made, let alone a profit realised.

Grape vines normally grow best in the region of 35 to 45 degree latitudes in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The mildly cool climatic conditions in these belts, the inclination of sunlight and the slow ripening of the grapes ensure that the grapes mature fully having the most pure aromas, best flavours, desired tannins and the proper expressions.

Removing flowers and fruit

Remove all flowers for the first two years after planting, so all the plant’s energy goes into getting well established.

Then allow only three bunches of grapes to grow on three-year-old vines, and about five on four-year-old vines โ€“ slightly more if the plant is growing well. Allow full cropping thereafter.

Thinning grapes

The size, sweetness and quality of grapes are improved by reducing the number of fruits within each bunch. Thinning the fruits also encourages even ripening and better air circulation, which discourages fungal problems.

Thin twice, first when the grapes are tiny and again when the grapes have increased in size.

Use scissors to thin the grapes โ€“ ideally vine scissors, which have long, narrow blades (available from some agrovet’s or online shops). Steady the bunch with a small forked stick when thinning, as using your fingers spoils the bloom on the skins.

Remove about one in three grapes per bunch. Bunches can also be shaped while thinning โ€“ aim to produce a perfectly proportioned conical bunch.

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Afterwards, check the grapes two or three times a week and remove any that are diseased or damaged.

Removing tendrils

Tendrils are thin, twisty stem-like structures that curl around supports to allow the vine to scramble and support itself. Remove these as they form, as they will only get tangled up with the fruits and allow the vine to scramble rather than sticking to your pruning and training regime.

Diverting the plantโ€™s energy reserves away from tendril production will also leave more energy for fruit production.

Pruning and training grapevines

Grapevines are Vigorous are healthy, strong-growing plant stems, especially when new growth is produced.

vigorous plants and if left to their own devices will soon outgrow their bounds, producing lots of lush leafy growth. So to keep them in check and maximise fruiting, they need to be trained on supports and pruned carefully.

Grapevine are usually supported on a system of horizontal wires, either attached to a wall or fence, or to large, sturdy posts:

  • For vines against a wall/fence,ย space the horizontalย wires 25โ€“30cm apart (10โ€“12in).
  • For vines in open ground, insert 2m (6ยฝft) posts, 60cm (2ft) into the ground, 3โ€“3.6m (10โ€“12ft) apart. The horizontal wires should be spaced 30cm (12in) apart.

Propagation of Grapes in Kenya

Grapevines are propagated from hardwood cuttings and rooted on planting pots before transplanting. You can obtain grapes seedlings in Kenya at Farmers Trend nurseries by contacting 0790-509684 or 0724-559286

Named grape cultivars will not come true to type from seed, so seed propagation is best avoided.

Choosingย a grapevine to plant

There are two basic types of grapes in Kenya โ€“ tables grapes for eating, and wine grapes, although some varieties may be suitable for both.

  • Table grapes are sweeter and need warmer temperatures to ripen properly, so for a successful crop they generally need to be grown on warm and hot regions in Kenya. They also do well under greenhouse.
  • Wine grapes can be grown in milder areas in Kenya, but will crop better under warm regions
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Within each category, there is a choice of varieties, offering white, red or black fruits, seeded or seedless, with different flavours, levels of sweetness, hardiness and resistance to disease. Take care to choose a variety to suit your climate and soil.

Common grapes farming problems in Kenya

Grapevines are prone to fungal diseases including powdery mildew (especially in hot, dry weather or in crowded sites with poor air circulation), grey mould (Botrytis) and downy mildew.

Birds and wasps can severely damage crops. Other potential pests include brown scale, woolly vine or currant scale and the fruit fly spotted wing drosophila (SWD).

Vines are also susceptible to nutrient deficiencies, particularly magnesium deficiency, and the physiological disorder shanking.

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Fruit Farming Technical Support And Services In Kenya

We also provide technical support for fruit farming. Our Sales Team with technically qualified staff provide after sales service and farmers' advisory services to our customers to get better plant establishment and faster growth of fruit plantations.

We have a large network of employees who arrange on delivery of Plants to customers at their various destinations. Free technical services to customers on planting method, management practices and plant protection measures. Our teams of Agricultural Experts periodically visits and supervise plantations and suggest necessary guidelines to get better growth and higher returns.

The income & expenditure (if any) indicated by the company is an approximate figure, as it also depends on the nature and hard work of the farmer.

Services:
1. This includes soil testing, seedlings purchase guidance, consultancy, guidance, and transportation.
2. First production on most fruit trees start after 2nd year and production will remain for next several years.

REACH US VIA +254 724559286 or +254 790509684

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