Written by Rhoda Burrows, former Professor & SDSU Extension Horticulture Specialist.
Overview
Quality wine grapes can be grown in South Dakota with careful attention to growing site, cultivar selection, and production techniques.
The following recommended resources feature selected grape production information available from South Dakota State University and other sources that will help you decide whether grape growing is the right choice for you, as well as expert strategies for growing and maintaining quality fruit.
Please Note: Some featured websites may mention cultivars that are not suitable for South Dakota.
Economic Feasibility of Vineyards and Wineries, Cost Estimates
- Winery and Vineyard Feasibility Workbooks: Workbooks developed by the Ag Marketing Resource Center.
Starting a Vineyard
- Starting a Commercial Grape Vineyard in South Dakota: This SDSU Extension resource describes factors to consider in selecting a site, evaluating feasibility, and the initial steps in establishing a vineyard.
- Grape Varieties for South Dakota: The cultivars listed in this SDSU Extension publication have been grown reliably in the state.
- A Review of Cold Climate Grape Cultivars: Iowa State University Extension publication. Not all of the cultivars described in this resource are hardy enough for South Dakota winters. Look for cultivars that can survive -25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
- Vineyard Establishment Guides: Two-part guide developed by Michigan State University Extension. Please note that vines in South Dakota are not usually grafted.
- Vineyard Work Calendar: This SDSU Extension publication features a monthly check list describing vineyard management tasks needed throughout the year.
Canopy Management
- Northern Grapes Canopy Management Webinars: Scroll down the page for a variety of different talks on managing your vines for optimal quality and yield of today’s cold-hardy cultivars.
- Pruning Resources: View a variety of resources on pruning, including how to’s, why’s, and more.
- Winter: Grapevine Pruning & Injury Assessment: View a collection of management resources and videos courtesy of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Vineyard Nutrient Management in Northern Climates
- Soil Sampling for South Dakota Vineyards: View expert tips and recommendations for vineyard soil sampling in this SDSU Extension publication.
- Vineyard Nutrition: This Northern Grapes Project webinar discusses the basics of nutrition management both before vineyard establishment and in existing vineyards.
- Monitoring Grapevine Nutrition: This Washington State resource covers tissue sampling for monitoring grape nutritional health.
Vineyard Problems
- Herbicide Drift Damage to Grapes: This Iowa State University page features links to a wide range of herbicide drift resources.
- South Dakota Pesticide Complaint Information: Information from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You can find the “Pesticide Incident & Drift Complain Form" under the “Forms and Documents” section.
- Sensitive Crop Registry for Growers and Applicators: Use this tool to inform pesticide applicators about your vineyard’s location.
- Midwest Commercial Small Fruit & Grape Spray Guide: View current recommendations for insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, with related topics.
- Pest Managment for Grapes: View a collection of useful information and links for grape pest management courtesy of Michigan State University.
- Phylloxera: A Grape Pest: Learn why this dreaded insect is not as destructive to our Northern grape varieties in this SDSU Extension article.
Other Useful Websites
- Northern Grapes Project: Multi-state research and extension project highlighting ongoing research. Check out the “Webinars” page for lots of useful information.
- University of Nebraska - Viticulture Research & Extension: View current events, basic information, presentations from conferences, and much more!
- Growing Grapes in the Home Garden: Although designed for the home grower, this University of Minnesota website contains useful information, including grape characteristics and plant establishment.
- Cornell University, NY - Grape Production: View research-based information that benefits wine makers, grape growers and consumers around the world.
- Growing Grapes in Minnesota: This University of Minnesota course includes a free, 11-module online basics course of study.
