AXR1 still popular, despite phylloxera

Wines & Vines, Feb, 1991 by Philip E. Hiaring

If Rich Kunde's experience is typical, growers-even in Napa County-are not pressing for biotype B phylloxera-resistant rootstock. And, they are continuing to purchase mainly stocks grafted to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Still, Kunde, proprietor of Sonoma Grapevines in Santa Rosa, said he is grafting to more Rhone varieties such as Viognier, Marsanne, Cinsaut, Syrah and Grenache, and to more Italian varieties such as Nebbiolo, Charbono and Sangiovese.

Kunde, who once grafted only to AXR-1 for California customers, said that stock accounted for 1,310,791 grafts in 1989 compared to 545,504 in 1990, thus reflecting concern. His total grafts in 1990 totaled 5,300,250. In 1990, 5C (not S04) was the top stock (2.7 million) or more than 50% of grafts. Second was USDA-developed Freedom at 561,970 grafts. AXR was third (545,504 grafts) and 039-16 was fourth (334,297 grafts). Kunde said AXR had been #1 until 1989.

The change in preference did not catch Kunde unaware as he previously had used stocks such as 5BB for orders outside California. So he had increase blocks. He said he plans a wider variety than ever before, and predicted by the year 2000 no grower would have just one rootstock in the vineyard.

On Napa Valley - he said just 10% of his Napa orders were for rootstocks resistant to biotype B - he said pullouts could be due to poor yields or removal of unprofitable cultivars. Not just phylloxera. He said, however, that E d Weber, U. C. grape advisor in Napa County, had said that all vineyards south of St. Helena in the county must be replanted within 10 years. The Napa Valley has 31,623 acres of vineyard. Since a benchgrafted vine costs $4-rootstock alone is $2 a pop--obviously this could be an expensive proposition. In fact, Kunde suggested Napa grapes could become a scarce commodity as yields decline. He also noted that so far, Napa tonnage is not down.

Kunde said Monterey County, with 28,000 acres of vines, mostly own-rooted, was expected to be wiped out by phylloxera. "But the growers are living with it," he said. Fumigation with Furadan has at least held phylloxera in cheek, he said, as has drip irrigation.

Kunde, who employs 250 persons in the peak season (February through April) said 3309C and 11OR are becoming more popular. He also reported interest in other vigor-reducing stocks such as 420A.

He reported growing interest in such Bordeaux-blend varieties as Malbec and Petit Verdot on the cultivar side.

Growers considering replanting should review a variety of options. For example, if benchgrafts are purchased, a grower could consider replanting every other vine, then doing in-arch grafting. Or using rootstock alone could be an option for growers with crews skilled in field budding and willing to rebud 15% of the no-take buds each year.

Of particular caution is a possible federal ban on fumigants, such as Furadan. Without such chemical aid, he felt perhaps up to 500,000 of California's 600,000 acres of vineyards would be lost.

Of the current growing season, Kunde said not to be surprised if damage from the late December freeze siege begins to show itself in vineyards from California to Washington State by March or April.

-- Philip E. Hiaring

Other nurseries to contact include:

  BIEN NACIDO VINEYARDS
1253 Coast Village Rd., Ste. 102
Santa Barbara, Calif. 93108
(805) 969-5803
 BORRI NURSERIES, INC.
1150 Felt Rd.
Healdsburg, Calif. 95448
(707) 433-6045
 C&F NURSERY
4980 Dry Creek Rd.
Healdsburg, Calif. 95448
(707) 431-8181
 CAL-WESTERN NURSERIES
P.O. Box 1071
Visalia, CA 93279
16384 Avenue 264
Visalia, CA 93277
(209) 733-3130
 CASA CRISTAL NURSERY
Rt. 1 Box 910
Delano, CA 93215
(805) 792-3151
DUARTE NURSERY
1555 Baldwin Rd.
Hughson, Calif. 95326
(209) 531-0351
 EMMOLO MAC LEAN NURSERY
1085 Galleron Rd.
St. Helena, CAlif. 94574
(707) 963-2986
  FOSTER NURSERY CO., INC.
P.O. Box 150, 69 Orchard
Fredonia, N.Y. 14063
(716) 672-6234
 GRAFTED GRAPEVINES
2399 Wheat Road
Clifton Springs, NY 14432
(315) 462-3288
 HERMANN J. WIEMER VINEYARD,
INC.
Rt. 14, Dundee,N.Y. 14837
(607) 243-7971
  MIRASSOU VINEYARDS
Rt. 1, Box A
Soledad, Calif. 93960
(408) 675-2324
 NAPA & LODI NURSERIES
1300 W. Lodi LAve.
Lodi, Calif. 95240
(209) 258-0104
 R.A. RIPKEN GRAPE NURSERY
(209) 369-5961
SUNRIDGE NURSERY
(805) 858-2237