How to best prepare for climate change is a major topic of discussion at vineyards around the world. Some people talk about changing grape varieties, to ones that can better withstand heat and drought. But some are very attached to their grapes.
The University of California has therefore started an interesting research project. The idea of the project is to investigate which combinations of clones and rootstocks of cabernet sauvignon provide the best solutions for future harvests.
Prior to the project, cabernet sauvignon vines have been planted in Lake County, north of San Francisco. Ten different clones and ten different rootstocks in different combinations have been planted. Over the next 8 to 10 years, a large amount of data will be collected. They will, among many other things, measure how water-efficient the different combinations are.
Cabernet sauvignon is an important grape for California. It is the second most cultivated after chardonnay.
Read more about this research ucanr.
