Customer Reviews

General Viticulture: Second Revised Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have no regrets buying General Viticulture. It is, after all, a standard reference. But in many ways it is now a lttle outdated and modern experience and advice is lacking. It should therefore be considered a important part, but only a part, of the basic library of anyone doing or contemplating viticulture.

The academic style of writing does not lend itself to the "do-it-yourself" approach. The section on laying out a vineyard, for example, is more academic than practical, at least in my opinion. A more modern book would, of course, have better photographs and graphics, and this is what I miss most.

I got the book "General Viticulture" originally back in 1977. I've looked at it recently at some better book stores. It is a powerhouse of information, there is no doubt, but unfortunately, it has not been updated in some time. Another drawback to the book is it's lack of grape culture outside the "California" scene. There are some new strides in viticulture going on in the midwest, and north east that are not even remotely covererd. The training systems and specifics of the NEWER American hybrids, with works from Elmer Swenson, David MacGregor, Dr. Tony Bell, Dr. Peter Hemstad of the University of Minnesota, to name a few is not even mentioned. I rated it 4 stars for it's excellent overview of just about every Vinifera, it's characteristic and management, especially related to California and similar climates around the world. It is still a great refernece book, just needs to be revised sometime.

Although this book could use an update, it is an excellent general reference on U.S. grape growing practices and common problems, written by experts in the field. It is a well written technical book with many black and white photos and a good bibliography. I found the style very readable and not too difficult for a novice to follow, though some sections (e.g. the section about diseases) needed a little extra time. A must for anyone seriously thinking of putting in a vinyard.

I agree that this text could use an update, especially on the newer varieties of grapes which have been developed in the past decade, however this text will make you a vintner if you read it in depth and acquire some "hands on" experience to go with it. The text is high quality print, and mine is covered with plastic and accompanies me often in the vineyards. It's focus is on the California industry but it is also a good guide for the northeastern USA and rest of the world.

The blurb for this textbook on viticulture touted that it was now updated and revised. The original was from 1962 and the 'new' revision is from 1974. This book is also limited in scope to growing grapes in California, focuses on large scale industrial growers, and is illustrated by black and white photos. Having griped about all this, the book is still nevertheless useful in terms of its detailed explanation of grape stock, stages of growth, pruning, trellis types, diseases, soil, irrigation, and fertilizing. It would be a terrific if the University of California press came out with a truly 'new' revision that recognized the changes to viticulture in the United States over the last THIRTY years. Even a non-professional who drinks much wine knows that the wine industry has grown beyond the borders of California and that it has been moving toward sustainability and organic farming of which there is barely a sentence in this book.

great book great condition, have read several related books, this one seams to have it all, as I'am taking a class at the present time and hope to start my own vinyard soon in the midwest, Thanks again amason with all your help on related issues and great service

Very in depth details on growing wine grapes. Would get five stars if it had a revision to update its 70's information to include modern hybrid varieties. Very glad I bought this book.

This came in good condition. This is a good resource starting with the history of viticulture in the United States and California specifically and moving through step by step practical information through the entire viticulture process.

My copy arrived with the text bound upside-down in relation to the cover. However, this is by far the best study on viticulture around. Dated but still the best.

This is the standard textbook for viticulture in the country and was outdated when I took the class in 1987. Unfortunately Mr. Winkler and other were in their eighties and nineties at that time so the chances of an updated edition were none (Mr. Winkler died before I graduated in 1992.) Yet, even now, I still refer to it for grafting, training and pest and diseases. Hey, just because it's old doesn't mean it's dated. There are some things in grape growing that never change.