First "Clean" means that the vine does not carry disabling diseases at the time of planting.

That means vines are free from viruses, fungal and bacterial pathogens that cannot be cured once the vine is infected. The fungal and bacterial pathogens can be controlled by growing the vines in the proper climate, using sterile nursery protocols, and taking preventative measures to keep them healthy. Sunridge Nursery is located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, which has a dry desert climate conducive to growing without as much risk of these organisms infecting their grapevines. The virus issue is a bigger challenge because the health of the stock material is critical to preventing the spread of a virus. That is why the best vine you can possibly plant is a California Certified vine with a pedigree that is traceable back to a known mother vine.

Learn More

Sunridge Nurseries is proud to share the exciting news that our laboratory has recently achieved ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation in Biological Testing through A2LA. A2LA is the largest and most widely recognized accrediting body for testing laboratories in the United States, and this certificate represents a significant milestone for our organization. 

Sunridge Nurseries’ state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with the latest testing technologies and operates under rigorous quality management standards to provide our partners with even greater confidence in the quality and integrity of every vine we produce. Our advanced diagnostic capabilities include PCR, RT-PCR, and TaqMan testing methodologies to diagnose a range of plant diseases including viruses, fungi, and bacteria from various grapevine plant parts. Our accreditation also encompasses the testing of irrigation water, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to plant health and safety. 

For years, Sunridge Nurseries has led the industry with unmatched virus testing standards, and this new investment and accreditation further affirm our leadership and commitment to excellence. We continue to elevate industry expectations by implementing advanced methodologies and maintaining protocols that exceed current requirements.  

Sunridge is proud to be the only grapevine nursery in the industry equipped with a certified laboratory and holding such accreditation. This achievement reflects our long-term investment in innovation, quality, and most importantly the trust of our clients as we aim to provide an even higher level of assurance, service, and confidence in every vine we deliver.

Happy New Year from all of us at Sunridge Nurseries!

We are excited to share that our production season has officially begun. Your custom dormant bareroot orders are being dug, cutting harvest is in full swing, and grafting just began!

As we prepare orders for the upcoming planting season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your sales representative about availability from our spec list for any planting needs this coming spring. We will always do what we can to support your vineyard needs.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead and contributing to another successful growing season!

Explore the latest ENTAV varieties released featuring polygenic resistance. Each of the varieties carry two specific genes resistant to both powdery and downy mildew. These innovative varietals not only enhance resilience against various challenges but also promise improved yields. For order inquiries or for more information, please contact your sales representative. 

Floreal

• vigorous variety
• moderate size berries
• aromatic, fresh with notes of exotic fruits and boxwood

Voltis 

• vigorous variety
• moderate size berries
• variety can be used for sparkling wines

Artaban

• average vigor
• moderate size berries
• light, silky, fruity notes
• intended for fast consumption

Vidoc 

• vigorous variety
• small berries
• powerful, robust, intense color wine with fruity and spicy notes

If you are interested in sampling any of these wines this winter, please contact your sales representative below.

Sunridge Nurseries' VP of Operations, Adam Lovgren, participated on behalf of the California Grape Rootstock Research Foundation as moderator for Session II: Innovations in Traditional Breeding at the recent NGRA/UC Davis Grapevine Improvement Workshop. 

The session highlighted advancements in climate-resilient rootstocks, improved fruit and cultivar quality, resistance breeding, and the integration of modern genomic and phenomic tools, with presentations from Dr. Luis Diaz-Garcia, Dr. Margaret Worthington, Professor Dr. Oliver Trapp, and Dr. Maddy Oravec.

The full conference offered valuable insights into how the future of grapevine breeding and genomics can expand varietal options for growers, helping address evolving challenges in disease and pest resistance, climate impacts, and the development of improved cultivars.

Meet Pedro Trigueros! Sunridge Nurseries' very first intern. 

This year, Sunridge launched an exciting opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in a commercial nursery environment through our summer Horticulture Internship program. This initiative was designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of all stages of plant growth, emphasizing essential aspects such as nutrient management, lighting, and pest control, all vital for cultivating thriving plants.

Under the expert mentorship of Horticulturist and Agronomist, Linsi Luckett, the program offered Pedro the chance to engage in a variety of responsibilities and enrich his learning experience by mastering irrigation techniques, assisting with plant applications, monitoring plant growth, and engaging in essential testing procedures, just to name a few.

“Pedro has been an exceptional asset and is rapidly becoming an integral member of our Horticulture and Agronomy team,” stated Linsi Luckett. We are pleased to announce that his journey through the program culminated in an exciting milestone where Pedro has since accepted a permanent role as our Assistant Agronomist.

Pedro says, "I’m incredibly appreciative for the opportunity to build on what I've learned during my internship while taking on new challenges in this role. Sunridge has so many employees with incredible knowledge and years of experience in agriculture, and I feel very fortunate to work and learn alongside such a great group of people. The company’s strong leadership and positive culture make Sunridge an exceptional place to grow both personally and professionally."

Sunridge hopes to expand our internship program offerings in the future, recognizing the invaluable hands-on experience they provide to aspiring industry professionals. For updates on these exciting opportunities, please follow us on LinkedIn and visit our website.

Each summer, Sunridge Nurseries looks forward to participating in the various table grape field days organized by our esteemed breeding partners, Grapa Global™ and Bloom Fresh Global™.

These events serve as a celebration of innovation, where we explore the forefront of fruit cultivation through engaging vineyard tours, informative technical presentations, and exclusive fruit tastings.

The turnout is consistently impressive, with dedicated growers from around the globe coming together to exchange knowledge and experiences. These events are opportunities to reflect on our commitment to nurturing a global community within the viticulture industry.

We take great pride in our involvement in these field days, as we not only share our expertise but also support growers seeking reliable, long-term partnerships to source the most sought-after varieties.

This past July and August, Table Grapes' Vice President of Sales, Dustin Hooper, attended each of the ARRA Field Days, Global Open Days, concluding the weeks of events at the Divine Flavor Grower Summit in Bakersfield, California, an event we were honored to sponsor.

Following the summit, Dustin extended an invitation to growers for a private tour of our state-of-the-art facility, where we demonstrated the quality and dedication that go into crafting our exceptional grapevines.

This year, we had the pleasure of hosting growers from Mexico, Peru, South Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East, and other regions.

Sunridge Nurseries is the largest grapevine nursery in North America, distinguished by nearly 50 years of exceptional experience that has solidified our position as the industry leader.

Our profound expertise in grapevine cultivation has enabled us to adapt and evolve in response to the changing market dynamics. By prioritizing innovation and consistently seeking solutions to enhance quality, we have established ourselves as the most trusted partner for growers worldwide.

Mist propagation represents an innovative solution during periods when traditional hardwood cuttings may be limited, and is the most effective method for cultivating new rare varieties or special clones. Our nursery primarily utilizes this propagation technique when we receive new varieties from Foundation Plant Services (FPS), enabling us to establish a new mother block or expand existing ones. This method is also essential for maintaining the proper certification of the vines provided by FPS. This technique guarantees that vineyard owners receive exceptional genetic consistency with each vine produced, as every new vine is propagated from the same mother plant. With a single cutting, we can multiply the original vine to a quantity large enough to plant an entire vineyard.

The Process

Upon receiving the certified cutting from FPS, the cutting is first dipped in a growth hormone, and the edges of the leaves are trimmed to promote root development. This small cutting is then planted in perlite trays during the initial stage and misted every 5 minutes for approximately 2-3 weeks to maintain a constant state of hydration.

Once small roots begin to form, the cutting can be transferred into a pot filled with our custom soil mix.

After about one week, new leaves will emerge from the stem. Following an additional two weeks, the vine will develop several new stems and leaves. At this point, the pot can be moved to a standard irrigation system within the greenhouse to continue its growth. After roughly 6-8 weeks, the vine will have grown tall enough for us to then repeat this process with the newly grown leaves to exponentially increase the number of vines produced.

Our vines are then hardened off for outdoor growth in our insect-excluded screenhouses prior to delivery, ensuring they are resilient and ready to thrive even in challenging soil conditions.

Assyrtiko mist propagated vines planted one year ago at a CA vineyard

We invite our growers to explore these innovative techniques with us. Our team of experts are here to help and to provide the exceptional support and service our grower partners have come to rely on. With our expertise and commitment to quality, we stand dedicated to supporting your vineyard establishment journey, ensuring that your investment flourishes beautifully. 

Off-Season, On Point:
Essential Prep for Superior Grapevines

A new season is just around the corner! As we enter Fall, our off-season presents the opportunity for our nursery to reflect, recharge, and prepare for the coming year. To ensure a successful start, here are just a few of the essential preparations that take place when we aren’t producing vines. These measures are designed to ensure that we are fully equipped for the new season and to maintain our commitment to providing the healthiest vines for our partners. 

Farming

Virus Sampling We test over 120k vines each year to ensure Sunridge vines have well over a 99% statistical confidence of being virus free. No other nursery comes close to this level of testing.

Dropping Fruit By removing the vine clusters from our scion mother blocks, and channeling all the vine’s energy into growth, we ensure the production of robust canes for optimal wood harvesting.

Replants & Increase Blocks In response to evolving industry trends and customer preferences, we evaluate our blocks season by season to ensure we possess the quantities and varietals necessary for fulfilling our customers’ demands.

Dormant Estimates Take rates are carefully monitored to guarantee fulfillment for both current and future seasonal orders, including the use of multispectral imaging to assess the viability of all planted dormants.

In the field, monitoring soil moisture as well as the moisture content in the canes help us determine our irrigation schedule for how much water the vines need to keep the roots hydrated and maintain moisture in the canes. For fertigation, our fertilizer formulation is carefully tailored for each part of the growing season to produce the best quality cuttings for grafting next season.

Trimming & Sorting Our teams maintain ongoing care of the vines currently housed in our nursery while facilitating their transition into the dormant season.

Routine Fertigation & Irrigation The irrigation schedule is based on developmental stage of vine, soil type, and temperature that provides the appropriate amount of water. Potted vines are carefully organized by dormancy timing and soil moisture is continually monitored to avoid root loss over the winter. For fertigation, the current formulation we are using encourages the vines to develop better roots to help keep the vines healthy through dormancy.

Preparation Review

Production teams are actively brainstorming innovative strategies to enhance automation and optimize process workflows. Our operations team managers meet weekly to discuss ongoing initiatives and plans to continue to improve our operational success.

This year, we are exploring how to better facilitate the recent innovations in AI technology to assist with: field scouting, dormant and cutting estimates, production planning and order management. We are excited to see what these new tools will do to help us improve our plant quality and customer service. 

A late-season bare root planting in the Lodi foothill region from mid-August. Prior to planting, these vines underwent a 14-day acclimation period. While we typically advise against planting beyond June, this vineyard faced unavoidable delays due to county-imposed burning restrictions, unfortunately postponing their planting schedule by several months. We are pleased to witness the vines have been successfully planted and are thriving in their new environment.

In an era where technology is transforming traditional farming practices, Sunridge is at the forefront of innovation with the launch of its first in-house drone flights for field spray applications. This groundbreaking initiative has enhanced our productivity in more ways than one and we are excited to share its benefits that will continue to provide our clients with the healthiest vines in the industry. 

We are pleased to announce, Horticulturist and Agronomist, Linsi Gutierrez, has successfully undergone the rigorous certification process required to obtain the necessary licensing for drone operation and application of agricultural products in our fields. Upon completion of the required hours for certification, Linsi has earned the distinguished title as Chief Supervisor of Drone Operations. We take great pride in her accomplishments, dedication, and expertise and look forward to the positive impact her leadership will have on our operations.  

The advantages of drone powered field application:

Precision in Application

Our drone technology enables precise application of treatments, surpassing the accuracy of traditional methods. This significantly minimizes waste and reduces runoff. Every droplet is utilized effectively so we can maximize the impact of each treatment and overall promote healthier vines.

Control and Customization of Operations

 In-house operations allow for an unmatched level of control. We can easily tweak flight paths to suit specific field conditions, adjust spray amounts based on real-time data, and quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Its pre-programmed flight path avoids obstacles, and we can adjust the rate and droplet size mid-flight as needed, ensuring optimal performance.  

Optimizing Productivity and Efficiency

By managing our own drone operations, Sunridge not only saves time and resources but enhances the efficiency of our processes. What would traditionally take over a week to treat our fields, now can be completed in a day and a half.  

Reduce Environmental Impact 

In the past, Sunridge has depended on both tractors and helicopters for treatment applications. By incorporating drone technology into our operations, we significantly reduce emissions and minimize the risk of damage to the vines.  

Promptly Identify and Address Concerns

The ability to promptly address issues in the field without depending on external services is invaluable, particularly whenever dealing with pest control where timing is critical. This capability leads to more effective treatments and minimizes the necessity for repeated applications. 

Sunridge's implementation of in-house drone flights for field spray applications marks a significant step forward in modern agriculture. With continued advancements on the horizon, the future of farming looks bright and we are here for it! Discover our captivating video showcasing the drone in action below!

A new planting of Early Sweet™ with Michael Shipley and Brandon Campos from Los Arroyos in the La Costa region. This was planted early June and is already starting to take off. We look forward to seeing this vineyard next season and how far it has progressed!

We would like to also give a big thanks to Juan Pablo McLaurin and his company Carnes Mc for all the support on our trip to Hermosillo and the amazing food. Tacos prepared fresh right in front of us and an amazing meat shop right next door. This is top quality local dining at its best!

We are pleased to present the 2025 edition of our annual newsletter designed to keep you informed about the latest and most relevant updates from Sunridge Nurseries. We hope you find it both engaging and insightful! We greatly value our partnerships with our growers and are committed to providing content that is relevant to your interests. Please feel free to share any topics or ideas you would like us to explore in future communications! Your feedback is essential in helping us serve you better. 

View Newsletter Here.

Our dedicated team at Sunridge Nurseries is diligently working to ensure your orders are being prepared for delivery with the highest level of care and attention. At this time, we encourage you to connect with your Regional Sales Manager to discuss the readiness of your orders and to arrange your custom shipments. To guarantee that we can sort and pack your order effectively, please kindly provide a minimum of one week's notice for scheduling.  

Grafting season has concluded but we have speculation dormants or can still do custom potted orders for 2026. Need something sooner? We will always try our best to accommodate your requests, please don't hesitate to contact us - we would be more than happy to provide you with a current availability list for new vine orders shipping this season.  

Our commitment is to support you in making this season a resounding success, and we look forward to collaborating with you every step of the way!

Contact Your Sales Rep to Schedule Your Order or Visit Our Website

We had the pleasure of hosting Jackson Family Wines for an engaging tour of our nursery. This group was among the first to witness our new callous room in action within the plant preparation station. They also had the opportunity to try their hand at grafting, an activity that our guests often find both challenging and rewarding, as they quickly discover that it is much more complex than it appears! The day concluded with an outdoor lunch, providing the opportunity for further discussion about the experiences and insights they gained throughout their visit. We greatly value customer feedback and are always eager to learn more about our clients’ interests, enabling us to better serve your needs in the future.

Welcome to the final stage of our vine production process at Sunridge Nurseries! Here, we witness the transition as our vines move into their starter homes, setting the stage for their continued growth until you, our valued clients, are ready to plant them in your vineyards. As a recap, this stage follows the callousing chamber, where our grafted vines established roots and allowed time to fully heal its graft union. In this segment, we delve into the planting techniques tailored for both dormant bareroot and potted vines. 

Part 4

Depending on whether the order is for a potted or dormant vine, the following process will vary. Potted vines will be placed in a greenhouse for growth, while dormant vines will be planted in our outdoor nursery to be grown and dug the following season. 

Potted vines are planted in our custom, high quality, potting soil in a greenhouse and grown here for 6-8 weeks.

During this time, and throughout the remaining growing process through irrigation, we utilize our state-of-the-art hypochlorous acid water sanitation system alongside our custom fertigation regime to stimulate strong rooting and carbohydrate production. 

Lastly, vines are sorted and graded and moved into a shadehouse to further acclimate for at least another 2-4 weeks or until the customer is ready for delivery.  

Dormant vines will be taken to our outdoor nursery to be directly planted into the ground, grown all season and then dug up the following year.  

These vines will be then be sorted and trimmed, fumigated with phosphine gas, dipped in fungicide, packed in wood shavings and placed in cold storage until the customer is ready for delivery.  

Contact Us to Learn More or Visit Our Website 

Welcome to part three of our vine production process! As we progress into the next phase of vine callousing and plant preparation, it is becoming increasingly evident how intricate and meticulous the entire procedure is for each vine. Our skilled team takes immense pride in every stage of vine production. For those just joining in, let’s take a moment to recap: we have successfully harvested the cuttings, treated them, disbudded, and navigated the crucial grafting stage. Now, we are entering a pivotal phase focused on the preparations necessary to ensure that these vines not only thrive but flourish in the future. This stage is vital, and we are eager to share how our careful planning and innovative methods will lay the groundwork for a successful vineyard.

Part 3

The grafted vines are placed into callus trays with custom media that includes peat moss, a proprietary mix of Trichoderma and other beneficial microbes. The vines are carefully packed into two layers and enveloped in a protective plastic bag to promote the healing and callousing process.

The vines are then placed into a precise temperature controlled, heated callus room for approximately 21 days. 

During this time, the graft union will form a callus, allowing it to fully heal and join together. The previously disbudded sites on the rootstock also heal, allowing the vine to begin forming roots.

Once calluses have formed, they are taken to Plant Prep where they are washed and dipped in a specialized wax to further seal the graft union and continue protecting this area as it fully heals. 

Next Up: Dormant Bareroot & Potting Process

Stay tuned for part four!

Contact Us to Learn More or Visit Our Website

Last week, Sunridge Nurseries celebrated the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art callousing facility! A big thank you to our incredible team and partners who poured their dedication and expertise into bringing this vision to life. Our VP of Operations, Adam Lovgren proudly cut the ribbon at the ceremony surrounded by our supporting vendors and employees who enjoyed a delightful lunch together for the occasion. 

Stay tuned for a walk-through tour of the new facility coming soon!

Welcome to part two of our vine production outline! We are thrilled to have you on this journey through the fascinating world of grapevine propagation! We trust that our last e-blast was not just informative but also sparked some interest for what comes next. As we dive into the stage of grafting, we want to remind you there is still time to contact us to secure your 2025 potted greenvine / 2026 dormant bareroot orders! We are in the midst of grafting and have just begun producing custom orders for 2026. Contact our dedicated sales team today to ensure we can fulfill your requests and provide support tailored to your specific needs. 

Part 2

Following disbudding, the rootstock and scionwood for the grafted order is then sent to soak in a custom quaternary ammonium salt disinfectant for 4 hours, as a second method for sanitation.

Prior to grafting, the rootstock is given a fresh cut to the bottom of the vine to stimulate root growth. The scionwood is either cut manually or by our French bud cutting machines.  

This innovative method utilizes precise measurements to automate cuts above or below buds based on captured images of each vine, guaranteeing a consistent and high-quality result.  

At the stage of grafting, the scionwood and rootstock are joined together mechanically by our deep omega graft union method. Superior to a traditional omega union, the deeper cut allows for a much stronger connection of the cambium tissue of both scionwood and rootstock. The grafter will carefully select each scionwood and rootstock with similar diameter to connect the two pieces.  

It is crucial to note that at EVERY step of the way, from field to finished vine, our Quality Control teams are inspecting the quality and key indicators of each production process. This rigorous oversight ensures that each vine not only meets but exceeds our high standards of excellence, reinforcing our reputation as the number one trusted partner for grape growers. 

Next Up: Callous & Plant Prep
Stay tuned for part three!

Contact us to learn more!

Visit our website.