Chuck > Been awhile since I posted however this got my attention - if you really
have black clay for soil - don't bother trying to grow grapes. To verify your
soil is a true black clay do the following -- dig a hole 6" x 6" by 1 foot deep.
Clean out all loose material and fill half way with water. Cover with a board.
Wait one hour and measure the water level. If it has dropped more then 1 inch
your on the border line of workable soil. If it has dropped more 2 inches things
arelooking up. If the water is completely gone - good new you don't have
black clay. Now think about this you plant your vines, get one good heavy rain
and the vines will end up drowning since the clay provide little drainage. Now I
have found that Riesling and Villard Blanc do grow very well in a Black Clay
soil ( water drops 2" in one hour ). However you will need to rip the clay up to
a depth of 3-4 feet and add a sand/humus mix to help with drainage. Wish you the
best of luck.

Hey, thanks. I will try your experiment.

I admit to being a little surprised by Riesling. I love the dry Rieslings of
Alsace and New Zealand -- but both are cool climates. What kind of fruit do you
get growing Riesling in a warm climate?

My original question was why (other than my black clay) wouldn't a warm-weather
European vinifera do well in north Texas? It seems to make sense that if you
could find analogous weather -- parts of Spain come to mind -- then you might be
able to grow say a Tempranillo.

Thanks again.



Jim Swayze
www.fireholecanyon.com