This experiment evaluates the performance of vinifera, and PIWI cultivars grown under seasonal geotextile protection in open prairie conditions. Vines are monitored for winter survival, spring bud break, disease pressure, and fruit ripening. The goal is to understand whether physical protection can meaningfully extend the viable range of Vinifera in our region.

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Why this matters:

If geotextiles can reliably reduce vine damage without compromising vine health or fruit quality, they may offer a practical bridge between hybrid resilience and vinifera wine potential.

This experiment documents cultivar-specific sensitivity to commonly encountered vineyard-adjacent herbicides through controlled exposure and field observation. Symptoms, recovery time, and long-term vine impacts are recorded across multiple grape varieties grown under prairie conditions.

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Why this matters:
Many prairie vineyards exist near row-crop agriculture, roadsides, or utility corridors. Knowing which cultivars are most vulnerable—and how injury manifests—can inform site selection, buffer strategies, and long-term vineyard risk management.

This experiment compares unthinned vines with vines thinned to different cluster counts per shoot. Yield, ripening uniformity, vine vigor, and fruit composition are tracked to understand how crop load influences wine potential in Petite Pearl.

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Why this matters:
Cluster thinning is often recommended, but rarely quantified, in cold-climate hybrids. Knowing whether Petite Pearl truly benefits from thinning—and at what point—helps growers decide when intervention improves quality and when it simply reduces yield.

This trial evaluates the use of river rock ground cover beneath the vine canopy in the vineyard row band. Measurements include soil temperature moderation, soil moisture retention, weed pressure, reflected light into the fruiting zone, vine vigor, disease incidence, and fruit composition across multiple seasons.

Why this matters:
Ground cover beneath the vine row is rarely studied in prairie vineyards, yet it directly influences vine water status, canopy density, and the fruit microclimate. River rock may suppress weeds, improve airflow and light reflection, and stabilize soil conditions—but it could also increase heat stress or alter vine balance. 

This trial evaluates varying levels and timings of leaf removal in the fruiting zone of Petite Pearl vines. Measurements include disease pressure, sun exposure, ripening dynamics, and finished fruit chemistry across multiple seasons.

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Why this matters:
Canopy management strongly influences fruit quality, especially in vigorous prairie-grown vines. Determining how much—and when—to open the canopy helps growers improve ripening and balance without introducing sunburn or stress.