VineTech offers a selection of Certified Rootstocks for grafting, each with unique characteristics suited for various growing conditions. Factors such as field topography, drainage, clonal selection, soil composition, and vineyard management practices all play a role in determining the ideal rootstock. Explore the rootstocks we offer below to find the best fit for your vineyard’s specific needs.
Oppenheim Selection 4 (SO4)
Summary
This rootstock variety is a result of a cross between Vitis berlandieri and Vitis riparia, developed by Euryale Rességuier. SO4 is a medium to high-vigor rootstock that tends to produce fruit earlier than others within the first ten years. It is well-suited for humid and clay-rich soils but is not recommended for dry conditions. Additionally, SO4 has a relatively high tolerance to lime.
Resistence to Soil Parasites
SO4 has a high degree of tolerance to radicicole phylloxera. Similarly, its resistance to the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria is very good. Its degree of tolerance to the nematodes Meloidogyne hapla is average.
Adaptation to the Environment
SO4 rootstock is resistant to up to 35% total limestone, 17% active limestone, and has a CPI of 30. Its resistance to ferric chlorosis is considered average. SO4 performs well in acidic soils and has good tolerance to chlorides. Its drought resistance ranges from average to good, but its adaptation to humidity is low to average, and it can sometimes be sensitive to tylosis. SO4 has poor magnesium absorption, which can contribute to stalk drying. This rootstock is well-suited for sandy soils (provided magnesium deficiencies are corrected), plains, and clay-limestone soils with moderate to low fertility. However, it is not well-suited for very dry, chlorotic, or overly compact soils.
Vegetative Multiplication Characteristics
SO4 is a highly productive rootstock, capable of yielding 60,000 to 100,000 meters of wood per hectare, though it may produce a certain proportion of dry wood. It responds well to fertilization and irrigation; however, its wood hardens relatively late. SO4 exhibits good aptitude for both cuttings and grafting. Its internodes are of average diameter, and the growth of prompt buds is limited. If hormone treatment is applied, it should be moderate, and the stratification period may sometimes require an extension.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
SO4 generally offers good compatibility with grafts; however, the radial growth of the trunk remains quite limited. This rootstock is known for having a ‘thin leg,’ which can result in significant diameter differences between the rootstock and the graft, often necessitating staking. Plants grafted onto SO4 exhibit rapid development, and the vigor it imparts is particularly strong during the first 15 years of the vineyard’s life. SO4 enables high yields from the early years after planting, sometimes requiring cluster thinning to maintain balance. It supports good sugar accumulation, but wines produced from SO4-grafted vines often lack body and may exhibit herbaceous notes due to the high yields. Additionally, SO4 tends to promote wines with a higher pH.
3309 Couderc (3309C)
Summary
This rootstock variety results from a cross between Vitis riparia (tomentose) and Vitis rupestris cv. Martin. 3309C is a medium to high-vigor rootstock valued for its contribution to quality wine production. It performs well in northern regions where early fruit ripening is desired and adapts to various soil types. 3309C is best suited for fresh, fertile, and well-drained soils. It offers excellent resistance to phylloxera and moderate tolerance to lime.
Resistance to Soil Parasites
3309C provides a high level of tolerance to radicicole phylloxera but is susceptible to the nematodes Meloidogyne arenaria and Meloidogyne incognita. It is also believed to offer a certain degree of tolerance to Agrobacterium vitis.
Adaptation to the Environment
3309C has low to moderate tolerance to chlorosis, with resistance to up to 20% total limestone, 11% active limestone, and a CPI of 10. However, it performs well in acidic soils. 3309C is sensitive to water stress, particularly when it occurs suddenly during the growing cycle, and it has poor adaptation to excess moisture. This rootstock absorbs magnesium efficiently but has more difficulty absorbing potassium. It is highly sensitive to chlorides and should be avoided in areas with a risk of salinity. 3309C is best suited for deep, sandy-clay and silty-clay soils with little to no limestone content.
Vegetative Multiplication Characteristics
3309C has short to medium internode length and a medium diameter. Green disbudding is recommended to optimize growth. The significant development of prompt buds and the lignification of tendrils can make cuttings challenging. Wood production ranges from low to medium (20,000 to 50,000 meters per hectare), occasionally with a proportion of damaged wood. However, this rootstock demonstrates excellent recovery potential for both cuttings and grafting, and its wood is easy to preserve. While thorough rehydration is necessary, hormone treatment is not essential and should be applied moderately if used.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
3309C generally exhibits very good compatibility with grafts; however, blending issues have been reported with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin, Beirut Date, Pineau d’Aunis, Riesling, Syrah, and Sauvignon. Despite this, several of these varieties are still widely grafted onto 3309C. The rootstock confers a relatively slow rate of development and fruit set. It provides low to moderate vigor, resulting in balanced vegetative growth, particularly in soils with moderate agronomic fertility. 3309C enhances fruit set in grape varieties prone to coulure. Wines produced from vines grafted onto this rootstock are recognized for their quality, and blends with varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Colombard, Fer, Gamay, Gros Manseng, Melon, Merlot, Petit Manseng, Pinot, Sauvignon, Sémillon, Riesling, Syrah, and Tannat are especially well-regarded.
101-14 Millardet and de Grasset (101-14 MGt)
Summary
101-14 MGt is a rootstock variety resulting from a cross between Vitis riparia and Vitis rupestris. This medium to low vigor rootstock is well-suited for fresh, humid clay soils. It exhibits moderate tolerance to spring soil moisture and is valued for its short vegetative cycle and early ripening. 101-14 MGt has moderate resistance to lime.
Resistence to Soil Parasites
101-14 MGt offers excellent tolerance to radicicole phylloxera, as well as to the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria.
Adaptation to the Environment
101-14 MGt has low tolerance to chlorosis, with resistance to up to 20% total limestone, 9% active limestone, and a CPI of 10. It is also sensitive to soil acidity, copper toxicity, and boron deficiency. While this rootstock is drought-sensitive, it adapts well to humid conditions. Its root system is branched, similar to Riparia Gloire de Montpellier. 101-14 MGt absorbs magnesium efficiently and is well-suited to clayey soils with little to no limestone, provided the soils are deep and offer adequate water supply.
Vegetative Multiplication Characteristics
101-14 MGt has long internodes with an average diameter. The growth of prompt buds is also average, and cuttings can be somewhat challenging. Wood production from 101-14 MGt varies depending on environmental conditions, ranging from 30,000 to 80,000 meters per hectare. The wood preserves well, and this rootstock demonstrates excellent potential for both cuttings and grafting.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
101-14 MGt generally exhibits excellent compatibility with grafts. While plants experience rapid initial development, the vigor imparted by 101-14 MGt is relatively limited. As a result, this rootstock helps control the vegetative growth of the vines and influences the precocity of the vegetative cycle. Yields are moderate, often with a lower average berry weight compared to other rootstocks. However, 101-14 MGt contributes to balanced, high-quality products with good maturity. Blends made with varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin, Colombard, Gamay, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Syrah are particularly appreciated.
Riparia Gloire de Montpellier
Summary
Riparia is a Vitis riparia Michaux selection, and one of the oldest known rootstocks. Riparia is valued for its high precocity in cluster ripening, short vegetative cycle, and early bud break. It offers very high resistance to phylloxera but has low resistance to limestone.
Resistance to Soil Parasites
Riparia Gloire de Montpellier offers very high tolerance to the root form of phylloxera. It also demonstrates good tolerance to Meloidogyne hapla nematodes, although its resistance to Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria is only moderate. Additionally, it shows considerable tolerance to Agrobacterium vitis.
Adaptation to the Environment
This rootstock is well-suited to acidic or decalcified soils. However, it is highly sensitive to chlorosis, with resistance to less than 15% total limestone, 6% active limestone, and an IPC of 5. It thrives in humid conditions but is very sensitive to drought and poorly adapted to compact, clay-heavy soils. This rootstock absorbs potassium easily but has difficulty absorbing magnesium, which may lead to magnesium deficiency, stem desiccation, and less acidic musts. It is best used in gravelly, moderately fertile soils with adequate water availability, and should be avoided in poor, dry, or shallow soils.
Aptitude for Vegetative Multiplication
Riparia Gloire de Montpellier produces a good amount of wood (40,000 to 80,000 meters per hectare). Its internodes are long with an average diameter. The growth of lateral shoot buds is limited, and the canes are not highly branched. This rootstock demonstrates good potential for both cuttings and grafting.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
The radial trunk growth of this rootstock remains limited, and it is often described as having a ‘thin leg,’ which can create significant diameter differences with the grafts, requiring additional trellising. The development of young plants is good, but Riparia Gloire de Montpellier imparts very low vigor, resulting in reduced vine growth. This rootstock promotes floral initiation, but due to its weak vigor, yields are typically limited. It influences the earliness of vegetative growth, and under appropriate conditions with sufficient plant density, it encourages the production of high-quality fruit. Riparia Gloire de Montpellier has excellent compatibility and works well with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin, Cot, Gros Manseng, Merlot, Sauvignon, and Tannat.
Kober 5 BB (5BB)
Summary
5BB is a variety resulting from a cross between Vitis berlandieri and Vitis riparia, developed by Euryale Rességuier. It is highly tolerant to phylloxera and well-adapted to humid conditions, particularly sandy soils. 5BB is a high-vigor rootstock with excellent potential for both cutting and grafting.
Resistence to Soil Parasites
5BB offers a high degree of tolerance to radicicole phylloxera and the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne hapla. However, its resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria is only average, and it appears to be sensitive to Agrobacterium vitis.
Adaptation to the Environment
This rootstock is resistant to up to 35% total limestone, 20% active limestone, and a CPI of 40. Its resistance to iron chlorosis is considered average to good. 5BB is also well-suited to humid conditions, particularly in sandy soils.
Vegetative Multiplication Characteristics
5BB is an excellent wood producer, with yields ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 meters per hectare, making it one of the highest producers among commonly used rootstocks. Its internodes are long with a medium diameter, and the growth of prompt buds is limited. It also demonstrates good potential for both cutting and grafting.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
Generally, 5BB imparts significant vigor to grafts and tends to delay maturity. It can sometimes exhibit incompatibility with certain grafts (e.g., Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colombard, Sauvignon), particularly when these varieties are carriers of the leafroll virus type 2 (GLRaV-2). In cases of infection by Cytospora (court-noué), 5BB often shows external signs of endocellular cords in the wood vessels. When used to replace missing plants, this rootstock can promote alternate bearing, leading to irregular results from year to year. The products obtained may sometimes have lower sugar and polyphenol content.
Gravesac
Summary
Gravesac is a variety resulting from a cross between 161-49 Couderc and 3309 Couderc. It offers very high tolerance to phylloxera and performs well in acidic soils. Gravesac is well-suited to sandy and gravelly soils and is known for its high yields.
Resistence to Soil Parasites
Gravesac exhibits a very high degree of tolerance to radicicole phylloxera. However, it is sensitive to the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne arenaria.
Adaptation to the Environment
Gravesac is resistant to up to 15% total limestone, 6% active limestone, and a CPI of 5, giving it low to average resistance to iron chlorosis. It performs particularly well in acidic soils, although amendments to raise the soil pH may be necessary in very acidic conditions before planting. This rootstock also tolerates temporary excess moisture in spring, though its resistance to drought is average. Gravesac is well-suited to sandy or gravelly soils.
Vegetative Multiplication Characteristics
Gravesac has medium to large diameter internodes, with limited early bud growth. The wood is relatively hard, and production is good, ranging from 40,000 to 70,000 meters per hectare. This rootstock also demonstrates very good capabilities for both cutting and grafting.
Graft Interaction and Production Goals
Gravesac has a very good affinity with grafts, and the vigor it imparts is average to strong. Yields from plants grafted onto this rootstock are consistently high and regular, with products generally of good quality.
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All the above information was provided by VineTech’s genetics partners.
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