On-farm Research Project #2
Effects of Vine Defoliation on Pinot noir Fruit and Wine Quality

Vineyard Collaborators
Willakenzie Estate Vineyards, Daniel Fey
Archery Summit, Leigh Bartholomew

Project Description
This project is intended to be a multi-season study to monitor labor inputs, fruit quality and must composition of nine different treatment combinations involving timing and intensity of leaf pulling in the vine canopy. Research questions that will be addressed include:

1. How does the time of leaf pulling affect Pinot noir fruit quality and composition?
2. How does the intensity of leaf pulling affect Pinot noir fruit quality and composition?
3. Is there a difference in fruit quality and composition when lateral leafs are thinned as opposed to main leaves?
4. What is the economic impact of leaf pulling?

Treatments for the project have been implemented in two commercial vineyards located in the northern Willamette Valley. Treatments have been organized in a randomized block design. Treatment combinations are illustrated in Table 1 and Table 2.

Table 1: Treatment combinations at Willakenzie Estate Vineyards

Table 2: Treatment combinations at Archery Summit

The goal of the first year of this study (2006) is to collect baseline data which can be used to monitor treatment differences and also assist in redefining research questions as the project progresses.

Project Timeline