General Viticulture (Hardcover)

~ A. J. Winkler (Author), James A. Cook (Author), W. M. Kliewer (Author), Lloyd A. Lider (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Wherever grapevines are cultivated, this book will be welcome because it fills a long-standing need for a clear, concise treatment of modern viticulture. During the past fifty years, more progress has been made in the science and art of growing grapes for table use and raisin or wine production than in any previous century.
This new edition has been revised throughout. The chapters on vine structure, vine physiology, the grape flower and berry set, development and composition of grapes, and means of improving grape quality add to our knowledge of the vine and its functions. The text is designed to enable those concerned with either vine or fruit problems to arrive at considered diagnoses. The student will find the text and the cited references a comprehensive source of information.
The grape and allied industries should welcome the updating of the major portion of the book. Here the emphasis is on modern practices in vineyard management in arid and semi-arid regions--with special reference to California. Full and detailed treatment is provided or propagation, supports, training young vines, pruning, cultivation and chemical weed control, irrigation, soil management, diseases and pests, and harvesting, packing and storage.
The practices recommended in the book are based on the extensive research conducted in California and elsewhere by the authors and their distinguished colleagues. Examples of practices based on experiments are: methods of propagation which by-pass the usual one-year-in-the-vine-nursery; pruning as related to leaf area and time of leaf functioning, and its effect on berry set and fruit development; virus disease control through thermotherapy and soil fumigation; pests held in check by sanitary, chemical, and biological procedures; irrigation practices as related to soil texture. Tissue analyses are employed as guidelines indicating the mineral deficiencies or excesses of vines. Machine harvesting of raisins (with cane cutting) and some wine grape varieties with problems are described.
The regional recommendations for table and raisin varieties are based on log years of observations, while those for wine grapes are the results of studies of the interrelation of variety and the heat summation of the different climatic areas.
No one concerned with the cultivation of grapes can afford to be without this book.

About the Author

The authors have all been members of the Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, Davis--a world-renowned research center.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 710 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 2nd edition (December 13, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520025911
• ISBN-13: 978-0520025912
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,911 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A standard reference but. . ., May 18, 2000

By	"doctor_rock" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

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.

66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An indepth approach to Viticulture, but getting outdated., May 5, 1999

By A Customer

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent general overview of viticulture, June 25, 1997

By A Customer

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.