Small Winegrowers Association Forum - Recent Topics

Pinion - Small Quanity

OwlsPoint — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:23:19 +0000

Has anyone procured Pinion that Greg recommended that might want to sell off a pint? Small backyard grower here and with the smallest package size at 2.5 gallons it doesn't make sense for me to buy it direct from aea.

Microirrigation Maintenance Virtual Workshop

Kiry — Wed, 13 May 2026 01:12:09 +0000

Mission RCD will host a virtual workshop on May 20th from 10 AM to 12 PM on the maintenance of microirrigation systems (drip and micro-sprinklers).

Topics covered include: Common problems in microirrigation, water quality, maintenance of filtration systems, best practices, and chemical preventive treatments. Zoom information to attend this virtual workshop is below:

Zoom Link:

Topic: Microirrigation Maintenance Virtual Workshop

Time: May 20, 2026 - 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Virtual Workshop:

HTTPS://US06WEB.ZOOM.US/J/87848464384

Meeting ID: 878 4846 4384

Powdery mildew control in Southern California wine grapes

Kiry — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:27:08 +0000

Greg Pennyroyal's presentation to the group at the May meeting covered the factors that contribute to powdery mildew pressure and how they affect spray intervals. He also provided guidelines for different products to treat powdery mildew based on severity and emphasized the importance of rotating products to prevent resistance from developing. You can access Greg's presentation at this link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WVyGVsPZ34IiQaNxA5RFHtopt4HuxMOV/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109058033488663734850&rtpof=true&sd=true

Regenerative Agriculture practices for Southern California wine grape industry

Kiry — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:14:16 +0000

Kathleen Dowling presented to the group at our May meeting on the benefits of incorporating Regenerative Agriculture practices for Southern CA grape growers. She compared different methods (conventional, organic, and regenerative) and provided a cost-benefit analysis for each. A link to her PowerPoint presentation can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_4qo0giue6GGfI-g-svYOqf_2HB0_GfM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109058033488663734850&rtpof=true&sd=true

Sangiovese grapes for sale

SteveG — Sat, 09 May 2026 22:14:30 +0000

Our Fallbrook vineyard was established in 2015. We will have 2,000 - 2,500 pounds of Sangiovese available this year (2026). Our vineyard is managed sustainably and our grapes have been featured in Bernardo Winery offerings.

Vine mealybug detection and treatment

Kiry — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:26:54 +0000

Greg presented to the group with special guest speaker, Jillian Cline, from Nutrien Ag. Topics covered were signs to look for in your vineyard of mealybugs, treatment options, and prevention. You can view Greg’s PowerPoint presentation and access his formulas for treatment solutions at the link below.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tmwsKJY9zlERQpmYf20bARCTn9KkuLPT

2026 OC Fair Home Wine Competition Drop-off location

Kiry — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:40:20 +0000

This year’s OC Fair Home Wine Competition is right around the corner. For those who wish to participate, Vintner’s Vault has once again graciously offered to be a drop-off location for entries. This will save you on shipping costs. Just be sure to pay your entry fees and label your bottles accordingly. You may drop off your entries at Vintner’s Vault from now until the deadline of May 15th. Vintner’s Vault is located at 27941 Diaz Rd Ste. B, Temecula, CA 92590.

Nutrien Ag spring fertilization recommendations with pricing

Kiry — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:36:10 +0000

Jillian Cline with Nutrien Ag presented at our April meeting. Below is the spring fertilization recommendation she put together, with pricing.

Hi all,

Here are my recommendations for fertilizer throughout the season.

8-3-10 - Spring Fertilizer Blend

Nutritional
32-0-0 (urea ammonium nitrate)
0-0-25 (potassium thiosulfate)
10-34-0 (ammonium phosphate)
Evolution (22% humic acid designed specifically to work with urea --> created to reduce urea rates but increase it's efficacy --> holds onto nutrients in the soil so it doesn't leach and makes it more available to the plant)
Reax K30 (very efficient form of potassium)
Watermaxx II (soil surfactant --> makes sure what is being injected is uniform and permeates the soil)
Rate: Soil 10 GAL/Acre
$17/GAL

Reax Plus Select - Micronutrients

Nutritional
Contains: nitrogen, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc
Apply at least twice several weeks BEFORE bloom
- Some apply at 3, 6, and 9-12 inches of growth
Can tank mix with fungicides
Rate: Foliar 1 quart/Acre
Roughly $11/Acre

SST Calcium

Nutritional
Calcium silicate --> silica & calcium are essential to cell wall & strength of cell wall
Apply at BB size fruit set
Can tank mix with fungicides
Rate: Foliar 1 quart/Acre
Roughly $12/Acre

Reax K30

Nutritional
Very efficient form of potassium that contains carbon to make potassium available for longer to the plant
Apply at fruit set and throughout the rest of the season
Rate: Soil 1 GAL/Acre
Roughly $30/Acre

LoKomotive

Nutritional
Foliar potassium product
Apply at berry sizing & bunch closure
Can be mixed into fungicide sprays
Rate: Foliar 1 qt/Acre
Do NOT apply after verasion - it will mess with acids
Roughly $8/Acre

Watermaxx II

Soil Surfactant - really needed because our Ca:Mg ratios are inverted which means it's difficult for penetration - remember we want 6:1
I highly recommend using this if you are injecting fertilizer (which is why it is in the blend) and/or pesticides (i.e. Wrangler)
Rate: Soil 1 QT/Acre
Roughly $13/Acre

Terramar (organic)

Combination of humic acid & seaweed (Maritime)
Really good for salt remediation
Seaweed component is great on stress (i.e. heat, salt, cold, transplanting, etc.)
Rate: Soil 2 QT/Acre
Roughly $26/Acre

Maritime (organic)

Biologically extracted seaweed
Apply when there will be high stress
Rate: Foliar or Soil 2 QT/Acre
Roughly $23/Acre

The highlighted portion is what I believe are most important to add. Right now, the most important thing is to do the 8-3-10 fertilizer blend and the Reax Plus Select in the foliar sprays.

My contact information:

Jillian Cline

jillian.cline@nutrien.com

(951)740-9618

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Crusher/Destemmer for sale

rsportsman — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:26:16 +0000

Enoitalia 110V crusher/destemmer in very good condition. Includes stand with chute.

IMG_0407.jpeg

Temecula One Block Challenge Field Day #1 - Next Steps

Kiry — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:00:08 +0000

For those of you who attended the One Block Challenge Field Day #1 today at Wilson Creek Winery, below is a link to the flyer that Kathleen handed out at the end of the meeting. The flyer has the next steps for you to take with links to helpful resources. Regenerative Viticulture Foundation will be presenting at Grape Day this year on April 30th. More info about Grape Day can be found at this link: https://www.temeculawines.org/events/grape-day/

The next steps and links are also in this post.

Field Day #1 next steps flyer: One Block Challenge Field Day #1 - Next Steps Flyer

Here are the next steps you should take:

1. Select trial block
2. Enroll at this link: Register for One Block Challenge
3. Download Handbook using this link: Download Handbook

Some important dates:

May 15th
1. Take 4 baseline field tests of your trial and control blocks (how to and links to videos in the handbook).
2. Get soil Haney test for trial and control blocks - see how at https://www.regenaglab.com

June 1st - Upload baseline and soil test results at this link: Data Reporting Form

Implement 3 required practices or expand on your 2025 practices: eliminate synthetic herbicide; minimal till; plant a diverse cover crop.