IT'S HOT OUT THERE! Losing grapes to sunburn and dehydration seems to be a regular occurance in recent years, and it's devastating. The good news is, it’s preventable. Here are 5 things to know about shade cloth that will aid you in protecting your grapes.
1) Grape sunburn occurs because of overexposure to three types of lights:
Ultraviolet (UV), visible (color spectrum) and infrared (heat). Shade cloth prevents sun damage by minimizing exposure to all three of these types of lights.
2) Getting just the right balance of shade vs. sun is key.
I can't emphasize this enough. UVA and UVB light are needed for the development of color and phenolics. Visible light is used for photosynthesis and the development of color, flavor and tannin. Blocking too much of either might save grapes, but it will hinder quality. Working with an experienced supplier who has fine-tuned this balance is essential.
3) A full canopy is the first line of defense against sunburn.
Shade cloth is the second line of defense – it protects the fruit outside of the leaf canopy.
4) The color of the shade cloth is important.
Technically, in terms of the visible light spectrum, black and white are not colors. Black absorbs all the colors in the light spectrum and white reflects them. Ideally, for shade cloth, you want all colors in the visible spectrum to be blocked evenly, which is what happens with black or white cloth. Black has the added benefit of cooling the grapes (we've seen up to 9 degrees!).
5) The benefits of shade cloth stack up.
Using vineyard shade cloth can potentially minimize the need for water in the "hot zones" by lowering grape temperature and preventing dehydration. It can also promote more even ripening of the grapes.
Made in the Shade
When grape-growing is your livelihood, you can't afford to lose grapes each year to sun damage. Of all the challenges presented by Mother Nature, this one is an easy fix!
Now you know what to think about as you look for and use the right shade cloth to protect your grapes: types of damage-causing light, getting the right amount of shade vs. sun, keeping the canopy full, the importance of color (or lack of) and other benefits you might encounter.
We work with the original inventor of shade cloth for use on wine grapes. He has more than 40 years' experience working with shade structures and has developed and perfected shade cloth in his own vineyard.
Learn more by visiting our shade cloth product page.
Want to save your grapes?
