BCWGC – R&D Meeting: June 20, 2024

Grafting Climate Resilience: Consideration of Rootstock and New Varietals for Transitioning Climates

Barbara Hall, UBC Okanagan

We are faced with the daunting task of rethinking our vineyards. Current research for climate change and resilience of grapevines considers the contribution of the rootstock for managing the plant’s response to stress conditions. While we assess the suitability of the current varietals that shape our wine region, an assessment of the currently available rootstocks is beginning at UBCO. Many newer rootstocks have been developed that are resilient to heat, cold, drought, saline soils and other stresses. Barbara is collaborating with UBCO to bring new varietals and rootstocks into the Okanagan. The process of sourcing new planting materials is time consuming but the investment is likely to improve resilience from the perspective of the plant for better resilience in the vineyards, better grapes and better wines.