Grapes

Revised January 2023.

Introduction

Wine may represent the most expensive and creative use of grapes, but it is not the only use. Eaten fresh as table grapes, dried as raisins or processed into jams, jellies and juices, grapes are thought to have been first cultivated more than 7,000 years ago near present-day Iran. Grape leaves are also used in a variety of cuisines.

Spanish friars are credited with bringing European varieties to the United States to serve at the missions they settled across California and the southwest beginning in the 1700s. California’s climate provided ideal grape-growing conditions, and consequently it became the leading grape-growing state.

During 2021, 6.05 million tons of grapes were grown commercially in the United States. California accounted for 5.75 million tons. Other top grape-growing states include Washington. (NASS 2022).

Marketing

The USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects grape production data from 13 states: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Most other states produce grapes but their production data is not collected by NASS. The annual Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts report contains the NASS Grape production data.

NASS reports the U.S. had 904,000 bearing acres producing an average of 6.69 tons/acre, valued at 5.53 million in 2021.

Major Grape Uses Values:

Raisin: 1.07 million tons

Table: 1.05 million tons

Wine: 3.81 million tons

Juice: 115 thousand tons

Most of these grapes produced on a large scale are marketed to supermarkets or exported. However, other marketing opportunities are available to small-scale producers of varieties that do not travel well, such as Reliance or Marquis, at local farmers' markets, small artisanal food stores, white tablecloth restaurants and direct sales though u-pick and the Internet.

Production

While grapes will grow in most climate zones in the United States, the types of grapes grown for wine, eating or juices are have a much more limited growing area. Before planting any commercial vineyard, consult an expert in viticulture in your area. Even in areas where the desired grape will grow, it is important to place the vineyard on the correct type of soil, with proper wind and water drainage, fertility, sub-soil make-up, facing the sun.

Selection of the types of grapes to produce will depend on what the market wants to buy. Market research is the most important step in starting a new vineyard. Wine makers buy only the types of grapes needed to make their wine. Develop a strong relationship with any buyers before planting. A mistake now will take 10 years to fix later.

Grapes are the fruit of a vine plant and grown in a field called a vineyard. The vines planted in rows evenly spaced six to 10 feet apart with 6 to 10 feet between each row. A wire trellis supports the vines above the ground for ease of caring for the vines and harvesting of the grapes. A vineyard can easily cost $15,000 an acre to establish before the first harvested in the third or fourth year after planting plus the cost of the land.

Vineyards produce a very high value crop. Timely applications of fertilizers, herbicdes, inescticides, fungicides and pruning activities are a must to protect the crop. Other risks come from birds and deer attacking the crop at the peak of value that must be controlled.

Management

A vineyard manager will inspect orchards or fields to determine crop maturity or condition or to detect disease or insect infestation. Direct crop production operations, such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, or harvesting. Monitor activities such as irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, milking, breeding, or grading to ensure adherence to safety regulations or standards. Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity or weather conditions. Maintain financial, operational, production, or employment records for farms or ranches. See more occupations related to this task. Obtain financing necessary for purchases of machinery, land, supplies, or livestock. Inspect farm or ranch equipment to ensure proper functioning. Negotiate with buyers for the sale, storage, or shipment of grapes. Analyze soil to determine types or quantities of fertilizer required for maximum crop production. Evaluate marketing or sales alternatives for products. Prepare budgets or financial reports for farm or ranch operations. See more occupations related to this task.

A vineyard is a very labor-intensive farming business. Much of the work is by hand and in all kinds of weather, mostly hot and humid. Vineyards are springing up in every state of the nation. Talk to other vineyards about the availability of vineyard workers.