Located in Opequon Village, 3 ½ miles southwest of Winchester, VA
Elevation--900 +- 50 feet, with slope to 5%
Soil—limestone chert (not Piedmont clay),
- 4 to 5 feet deep,
- well drained,
- moderately fertile
- ph 5.5 to 6.5
Climate
Growing Degree Days—average = 2900
Rainfall—average = 38 inches rain per year, 13.7 inches June to September
Growing Season Length = 175 to 180 days
- Just enough to ripen Cabernet Franc
Site Enhancements
- Ripped 5 tines in each row to break up hardpan
- Disked gypsum to soften soil
- Removed trees at vineyard edge to minimize shade, roots and bird roosts
- Low spots were sloped with laser to provide for water runoff
- Site is irrigated using regulated deficit irrigation, to concentrate flavors and assist in hardening off growth for winter
Rootstock
- semi-dwarfing to control the typical Virginia vigor,
- selected for soil pH and soil depth
Trellis
Established a divided curtain, to open up canopy to sunlight
- Vines spaced to minimize hedging
- Forcing downward growth to further devigorate vines
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