Starting a vineyard is a multi-year process, and a lot of money goes out the door before any money from selling your grapes, or making wine for sale, comes in. As a result, carefully review the resources we’re providing, ask the experts for help, and learn as much as you can before you get started!
First: head over to the University of Maryland Extension Grapes & Fruit Website. We’re fortunate to have a state viticulturist, with a wealth of knowledge. Some of the important sections for your consideration include: Starting a Vineyard, the Timely Viticulture Newsletter, Sustainable Practices Workbook and Soil Testing.
You’ll find an important resources in GeoVine, which provides a map of your proposed vineyard site. Knowing your soil type, and getting feedback on the kinds of grapevines that do well in that soil, and in your region, is a very big part of deciding what vines to purchase.
In Maryland we are also fortunate to have a Grape Growers Association; their site offers helpful resources, and regularly scheduled field days.
Other state research organizations also offer relevant information for Maryland grape growers:
- Cornell Extension Grape & Wine Resources
- Penn State Extension
- Virginia Tech Viticulture Research & Extension
One of the keys to a successful vineyard is understanding the cost. These budget templates can be helpful to determining how much a vineyard will cost, and as a result, how to value your harvest.
- Cornell Extension Cost of Establishment and Production of Vitis Vinifera Grapes in the Finger Lakes Region of NY (2013)
- Penn State Extension Wine Grape Production (with Budget)
- UC Davis Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Winegrapes (2019)
- Washington State Northwest Grapes Cost of Production Calculators and AgProfit
