Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering
What is the difference between FGDs, DP’s, and GP’s?
- FGD – Field Grown Dormant. A dormant vine grows in our field nursery from May to November of the previous year. Will be delivered with bare roots, and a fully hardened graft union (for grafted vines)
- DP – Dormant Pot. A dormant vine grows in our greenhouse the previous year. Dormant Pots will deliver with their roots contained in a potting media or grow sleeve (the grow sleeve will degrade after planting and don’t need to be removed before planting, removal of the pot can damage the fibrous roots and can be detrimental to the plant.
- GP – Green Pot. A green potted vine is grown in our greenhouse for 6-8 weeks to deliver in the same season. Green pots deliver with their roots contained in potting media or grow sleeves with green actively growing tissue. Green pots can be trickier to ship as they are more prone to degradation over long or hot transits.
- Green pots are a nice option for a shorter ordering timeline, but have also spent less time actively growing at the nursery so there are pros and cons to green-potted planting.
What is a clone?
A clone is a genetically uniform group of individuals derived originally from a single individual by asexual propagation (cuttings, grafting, etc.). All grape varieties are propagated by asexual means to preserve the unique characteristics of the variety, but slight genetic variations commonly occur among the billions of cells that make up a grapevine. If a new vine is propagated from a cane that grew out of such variant tissue, it may exhibit different characteristics than the original. If the difference is desirable, the vine could be further propagated to perpetuate the new characteristics. Thus, a new clone is born and it is assigned a number or given a name to distinguish it from other clones.
Clones may have differences in time of bud break, time of ripening, cluster architecture (loose versus tight), fruit yield, fruit quality, or other characteristics.
Can I plant non-certified vines?
State laws vary on the travel of non-certified vines. If a commercial industry exists in your state, quarantine is likely in effect to safeguard vineyards from devastating diseases spread by dirty plant material. Most experts will advise always sourcing certified vines if available.
How do I place an order?
Email sales@inlanddesert.com with your preferred variety and quantity (and clone and rootstock if applicable) or submit the order form found here.
What is the minimum order size?
If dormant or green-potted vines are already in inventory we are glad to accommodate small orders of 100 vines per selection. For custom-grafted orders (rootstock and scion of your choice), we currently have a 500-vine minimum unless we’ve already planned to produce your particular item(s). Inquire with Sales if a smaller custom order is a possibility.
How many vines do I need to make wine?
One ton of grapes will result in approximately 150 gallons of juice. From a typical three-ton/acre crop, you can expect around 450 gallons of juice/acre. Common vineyard spacing is 8-5, but many growers prefer higher-density plantings, which decreases the amount of fruit per vine, and some believe it ultimately improves the quality of wine.
How can I pay for my deposit or final invoice?
We happily accept credit card payments up to $5,000.00 US. Call our main office at 509-588-6615 and let us know you would like to pay with a credit card. You can also mail a check to our office at 32508 W Kelly Road, Benton City, WA 99320.
I need to cancel my order, what happens to my deposit?
IDN will retain all deposits paid on order as a restocking fee to all canceled orders.
What are the extra charges on my invoice?
- All invoices will include a
- 5% WSDA Plant Improvement Assessment Fee (Not to Exceed $.10/vine.)
- CPCNW & FPS User fees (BW/SErlf-Root $.08, Grafts $.096)
- If applicable,
- Shipping and Handling (quotes are available upon request)
- Royalties and Add-ons (Entav, Vineshelters, etc.)
What does the IDN replacement policy cover?
- FGDs: Our replacement policy covers up to 5% of the total order size for dormant vines. Vines must be planted no later than April 30, and the quantity of failed vines reported in writing by August 1 to qualify for no-charge replacement vines. Let us know how many vines failed to grow and we will be happy to replace them at no charge the following spring.
- GPs: Green-potted vines are sold as-is in good, live condition and are not covered under our replacement policy.
The contract must be paid in full and the account in good standing.
Shipping
Will you automatically ship my order?
We do not ship orders unless requested by the customer. Orders not scheduled for delivery by June 15th, will be considered canceled and are non-refundable. Before we can deliver the order, we need signed papers (MSA and contract confirmation) as well as a deposit.
How do I schedule a pickup or shipment of my order?
We request 14-day advance notice for all pickups and deliveries. Please call our main office at 509-588-6615 or email shipping@inlanddesert.com. Reference your order ID. We require a signed sales agreement and 50% deposit (if required on the contract) before pick up or shipment.
What temperature are dormant vines transported at?
Before final packaging for shipment, our dormant vines are stored in humidified cold storage at approx. 35 degrees F. Bare root vines should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing. They are packed in plastic-lined shipping boxes and moist pine shavings which helps but should be kept above 32F and below 50F if possible until planting. At temperatures higher than 50F they will quickly push buds in a box.
Planting
How should I store my vines before planting?
Our coolers are set at approx. 35 degrees F. Bare root vines should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing. They are packed in plastic-lined shipping boxes and moist pine shavings which helps but should be kept above 32F and below 50F if possible until planting. At temperatures higher than 50F they will quickly push buds in a box.
In a cool, dark environment they can survive a couple weeks before planting. IDN is not responsible for vines damaged in storage after they’ve left our facility, so we recommend coordinating shipping as closely as possible to your desired planting.
When should I plant my vines?
Every area is different in terms of the “ideal” planting timeframe. We recommend waiting until you are well out of frost danger for your area.
How should I plant my vines?
When should I put vine shelters on?
It is critical to install vine shelters as planted vs end of day. The shelter aids in a smooth transition by blocking wind & creating humidity that mimics greenhouse conditions to keep the shoot tip actively growing vs experiencing transplant shock.
When should I take the vine shelters (“grow tubes”) off?
Removing the vine shelters in the fall and allowing the trunks to be exposed to the elements (cooler temperatures, wind) will help the trunks acclimate by turning them from soft, green tissue to wood (lignify). Mid-September is usually a good time to remove the shelters.
How long does it typically take for grapevines to produce a crop?
The third season is typically when you can expect your first crop. It is possible to get a small crop in the second season if the vines grow vigorously in the first season, are well-lignified prior to the first fall frost, and are not damaged by cold winter temperatures.