Viticulture
Colorado is home to approximately 800 acres of wine grapes. About 85 % of the acreage is in Mesa and Delta County accounting on average for 95 % of the state’s grape production. The dry and hot climate during the growing season provides ideal conditions to produce high quality grapes and wines. However, erratic and extreme cold temperature events during late fall and the dormant season lead to severe vine and crop damage and limit the area where vines can be grown.
Cold Hardiness Research
One research focus of the Viticulture Program is on understanding, avoiding, and mitigating cold temperature injury. Other research areas include cover crops and irrigation management, cultivar and rootstock selection, evaluation of new cultivars, and alternative management practices to protect the graft union from cold injury.
Cultivar and Rootstock Research
Cover Crop Research
Research Annual Reports
Viticulture Survey and Results
Contact Us
Horst Caspari
Professor
WCRC-Orchard Mesa
horst.caspari@colostate.edu
(970) 434-3264 ext. 204
Dr. Caspari is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and has served as Colorado’s State Viticulturist since joining the university in July 2000. Dr. Caspari studied Agricultural Science at the University of Bonn and received the equivalent of a Masters – 1989 and PhD – 1993. From 1990-1993, he was a Visiting Scientist in the Department of Horticulture at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Prior to joining Colorado State University Dr. Caspari worked from 1994 to July 2000 for the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand – HortResearch specializing in vineyard management and irrigation of tree fruit crops.