- 1). Find a variety or varieties of wine grape to purchase. Wines can be made from one type of grape predominantly, or from a mix of several kinds of grapes. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, there are four main types of grapes to consider for making wine. These are Vitis vinifera, French-American hybrids, Vitis rotundifolia and Labrusca-type. Within each of these categories are different cultivars--shorthand for cultivated varieties--you can choose. For instance, vitis vinifera grapes include chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, viognier and cabernet franc. Labrusca types include concord and catawba. All of these are successfully cultivated in North Carolina. Make a list of cultivars based on your preference for the type of wine you'd like to make.
- 2). Figure the number of vines you need to purchase. Michigan State University Extension suggests a formula. If, for instance, you plan to plant grapevines in rows 9 feet apart with a distance of 6 feet between each vine, you would multiply 9 times 6 to arrive at 54 square feet, which is how much space each vine will require. You then divide that number into the area of one acre, which is 43,560 square feet, to determine how many vines you will need for each acre of land you intend to plant with grapes. In the example given, that is 806 vines.
- 3). Locate a commercial nursery where you can purchase the variety of grapes you have chosen. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Winegrowers Association websites both offer an extensive list of nurseries. Plan to order the vines at least one year before planting to ensure the nursery will have the vines in stock.
- 4). Michigan State University Extension's website suggests asking for written certification when purchasing grape vines. The certification should include a statement regarding the "trueness to variety, freedom from viral diseases, and the terms of refund or replacement." Inspect the plants when they arrive to make sure that your order is correct and that the vines are in good condition.
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