Thanks Murky & Fruitnut. Hopefully I'll be able to find Canadice & Swenson Red locally.

Starting the vines in containers will not be of much benefit. Establishing a vine is about root system development, so growers typically measure a vine's "age" by how many years it is in its current location. A 2-year old vine planted in a new location is still referred to as a 1st year vine. They have huge root systems so any container you choose will stunt their growth. I have a few growing in 1/2 wine barrels (30 gallons) on my patio and they are weaker than in-ground vines. Soil test is a good idea, but make sure you target your additions to grape vines. Because of their huge root system, they often grow well in poor soil so you don't want to create a soil that is too fertile. Overly vigorous vines are as much of a problem as weak vines. Cover crops are not uncommon in vineyards. Here is a little info: Here is a link that might be useful: Cover Crops

Pistol, I think that it is extremely hard to successfully grow grapes without the use of a lot of chemicals. It isn't impossible, just difficult. Of course, if you are growing only a handful of grapes for personal use, it wouldn't be as hard or as time-consuming, but if you are talking about growing acres of them, it is a very labor-intensive process. And, as you have discovered, fighting disease is a never-ending battle, at least in a large-scale planting. I have two different neighbors who have attempted to get grapes going for several years. It seems like every year one thing or another wipes out their grapes. One neighbor has completely given up, it seems, and now has an empty field with rows and rows of grape stakes but no plants. The other seems to try to get the grapes going every other year or so, but no success yet, and I know that they have gotten lots of advice from OSU or the extension service. For a couple of years, they had a pretty good bunch of grapevines growing and then drought hit hard for a couple of years and they haven't done much with them since. They don't live here in Love County, though, and I think their vineyard (OK, their attempted vineyard) would have a better chance if they lived here full-time and could give it the attention it needs. Since there are many successful vineyards in both Texas and Oklahoma, I know they can be grown in our soils and climates. I've linked an Oklahoma Wine Grape website for you. I don't think there is much difference in the way you manage table grapes vs. wine grapes either, and think a home gardener could use the same vines to produce grapes for both purposes if desired. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: Grape Growing Info

Suggest that you go on-line to the very reliable J.E. Miller Nursery catalog which sells an excellent selection of wine grapes for your area. They are located in Canandaigua, NY. I have dealt with them for years. A phone call to them might be helpful in making a selection. I note that one winery has opened recently in your area named Pioneer Valley Winery. Have you visited there and discuss grape varieties with them? As an old time wine maker who used to live in grape country I just purchased the freshly pressed grape juice from a local winery every fall. It was an easy way to have some in the freezer for breakfast drinking and the rest we used for making wine. BTW...Anyone looking for a fall trip should plan on traveling through New York's Finger Lakes Region, especially taking the Wine Trip ride around Keuka Lake. There is a winery at every turn in the road offering samples. Lot's of fun and beautiful scenery. Put it on your to-do list.