French Camp Vineyards
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2013) |
| French Camp Vineyards | |
|---|---|
| Location | San Luis Obispo County, US |
| Coordinates | 35°29′36″N 120°14′26″W / 35.493363°N 120.240538°W |
| Appellation | San Robles, Paso Robles Highlands District |
| Founded | 1973 |
| First vintage | 1976 |
| Key people | Greg O'Quest(Manager), Nick De Luca (Sales), Steve Miller (Owner), Nicholas Miller (Owner) |
| Known for | Anglim, Edna Valley, Fess Parker, Fetzer, Kendell Jackson, Mosby, Tobin James, Mid Life Crisis |
| Varietals | Zinfandel, Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Lagrein, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Website | frenchcampvineyards.com |
French Camp Vineyards is a vineyard in San Luis Obispo County, California, U.S. located east of Paso Robles residing in the Paso Robles Highlands District viticultural area.[1]
History
[edit]Originally, the French Camp land was part of the San Juan Ranch. Over time, The San Juan Ranch was split into a number of parcels including the French Camp area, which became a part of the Camatta Ranch. The Miller family purchased The Camatta Ranch property in 1968, believing that it could be developed to various crops including wine grapes. They leased parts of it out for a few years while they gathered information as to climate, soils, and water for irrigation. Initially, 200 acres (0.8 km2) were planted to wine grapes in 1973.[2]
The French Camp operation is a team effort among the people who have grown the grapes, those that have managed its business affairs, those that have sold the production (whether it was grapes or cuttings), and those that have done strategic planning for future growth.
Working together, this group has grown French Camp to over 1,700 acres (688 ha).[2]
Vineyard mechanization
[edit]In cooperation with the University of Arkansas, Dr. Justin Morris (Director of Food Science & Engineering at U of A), and OXBO International, Hank Ashby, Vineyard Manager for French Camp Vineyards has adopted a new method for producing a better balanced and consistent crop.
The Morris-Oldridge canopy management system achieves yields within 10% of the yield goal. By using mechanization for pruning, shoot thinning, and fruit thinning, crop levels can be adjusted several times during the growing season. This practice would be cost prohibitive if not for mechanization.
In the average vineyard, annual yield can very as much as 50% year to year, making it very difficult to predict budgetary and wine productions numbers.
Moreover, in conjunction with Paso Robles Wine Services, French Camp has conducted trials demonstrating better quality fruit production as a result of the balanced cropping technique when compared against hand farmed fruit in many cases.
References
[edit]- ^ "Establishment of the Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Templeton Gap District Viticultural Areas" (27 CFR 9 Docket No. TTB-2013-0009 [T.D.TTB-125 Ref: Notice No. 140] Final Rule). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 60954–60968. October 9, 2014.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "History". French Camp Vineyards. French Camp Vineyards. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
External links
[edit]- Daniel, Laurie (January 2008). "Grower Interview James Ontiveros. Experience buying grapes for Gallo and Kendall-Jackson makes selling them easier". Wines & Vines. Retrieved July 31, 2008. Interview with James Ontiveros, director of sales and marketing for (among others) French Camp Vineyard.
- Justin Morris (April 2004). "Vineyard mechanization—a total systems approach". Wines & Vines. Wine Communications Group, Inc.
- David Eddy (June 2006). "Maximum Mechanization" (PDF). American Fruit Grower. Meister Media Worldwide. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
- Stephen E. Sowers (August 17, 2006). "Hank Ashby is wine grape grower of the year in California" (PDF). The Rolla Daily News. GateHouse Media, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
- French Camp Vineyards