1. Home
  2. Crop production
  3. Wine grapes
Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Wine grape tissue nutrient guidelines for Oregon

Vine nutrition guidelines for Oregon wine grape vineyards
Nutrient Sample timing Units Petiole Deficient Petiole Excessive Leaf Blade - Deficient Leaf Blade - Safe/Healthy Lead Blade - Excessive
N Bloom % 0.60 - 0.70 Petiole Excessive 2.20 > 2.40 4.25
N Veraison % 0.35 - 0.40 1.80 > 2.00 2.50
P Bloom % 0.15 0.17 > 0.20
P Veraison % 0.05 0.10 > 0.12
K Bloom % 0.75 - 1.50 3.25 0.70 > 0.80 1.5
K Veraison % 0.50 - 0.60 0.60 > 0.70 1.25
Ca Bloom/Veraison % 0.9 - 1.0 0.9 -1.0 > 1.00
Mg Bloom/Veraison % 0.20 - 0.50 0.10 - 0.20 > 0.25
Mn Bloom/Veraison ppm 20 20 > 20
Zn Bloom/Veraison ppm 20-25 15-20 > 20
B Bloom/Veraison ppm 20-25 125 15-20 > 20 250
Cu Bloom/Veraison ppm 3 - 5 25 - 50 3-5 > 5

Data shown are based on nutrition research for wine grapes in Oregon with comparison to other regions. Deficient levels for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are well characterized for Pinot noir. Veraison samples are more reliable than bloom samples for diagnosing issues with most nutrients. Levels from leaf blades at veraison are more reliable than petioles for diagnosing N, P, K and Mg.

Source: Paul Schreiner, USDA-ARS, Hort Crops Research Lab, Corvallis, OR

Rationale and considerations for critical nutrient levels in Oregon wine grapes

  • N, P & K — Derived from microplot studies based on growth, yield, fermentation & wine composition of Pinot noir.1 2 3 4
  • Ca — Based on lowest observed levels in healthy, productive Oregon vineyards.
    • Note: A German standard for deficient Ca was reported as 2.0% in veraison leaf blades5 , but values of 0.8% & 1.0% have been recorded in Oregon lead blades at bloom % veraison, respectively. A French standard was defined as 0.5% bloom leaf blades.6
  • Mg — Based on presence of leaf symptoms in Pinot noir & Chardonnay.
    • Note: Only leaf blades have been useful in diagnosing vines expressed obvious symptoms and levels have been below 0.10%. However, leaf blade values of 0.20% in routine samples prior to symptom development have later expressed Mg deficiency.
  • Zn — Levels reported here are fairly conservative and require more work.
    • Leaf blades with Zn as low as 8–10 ppm & petioles as low as 17–23 ppm have been observed in a few cases in healthy Oregon vineyards. But critical Zn levels likely vary by cultivar and Zn deficiency causes severe stunting of shoots, tiny leaves and shot berries.
  • B — Levels reported here are fairly conservative and require more work.
    • Lead blades as low as 12 ppm and petioles as low as 15 ppm are routinely observed in a healthy Pinot noir vineyard near Salem, but B deficiency also causes severe growth problems and poor set.
  • Cu — Levels based on healthy microplot and Oregon vineyards.
    • Lead blades and petioles with as little as 2 ppm Cu have not caused growth problems, leaf symptoms or reduced rates of photosynthesis.

Quantity of macro-nutrients needed by the canopy and actual uptake from soil from budbreak until harvest in 4-year-old & 22-year-old Pinot noir grapevines in Oregon (reported in pounds/acre)
Nutrient Canopy Demand (4-yr-old) Canopy Demand (22-yr-old) Uptake from Soil (4-yr-old) Uptake from Soil (22-yr-old)
N 14 30 12 14
P 2.1 3.1 3.0 2.1
K 21 33 25 28
Ca 21 22 27 21
Mg 3.5 8.9 4.1 8.3

When are nutrients taken up from soil 22-year-old own-rooted Pinot noir Woodhall research vineyard (2001 & 2002 average values)7

Nutrient Budbreak - Bloom Bloom - Veraison Veraison - Harvest Post Harvest
N 53 % 30 % 5 % 12 %
P 45 % 46% 1 % 4 %
K 26 % 53 % 21 % 0 %
Ca 28 % 58 % 14 % 0 %
Mg 21 % 55 % 24 % 0 %

When are nutrients taken up from soil 4-year-old grafted Pinot noir in microplots (2007 & 2008 average values)8

Nutrient Budbreak - Bloom Bloom - Veraison Veraison - Harvest Post Harvest
N 58 % 25 % 1 % 16 %
P 35 % 42 % 19 % 4 %
K 21 % 66 % 13 % 0
Ca 14 % 52 % 34 % 0
Mg 16 % 60 % 24 % 0
S 40 % 51 % 9 % 0
Mn 29 % 54 % 17 % 0
B 45 % 45 % 10 % 0
Zn 16 % 57 % 27 % 0
Cu 26 % 43 % 31 % 0
  • 1Schreiner RP, Lee J and Skinkis PA. 2013. N, P, and K supply to Pinot noir grapevines: Impact on vine nutrient status, growth, physiology, and yield. Am J Enol Vitic 64:26-38
  • 2Schreiner RP, Osborne J and Skinkis PA. 2018. Nitrogen requirements of Pinot noir based on growth parameters, must composition, and fermentation behavior. Am J Enol Vitic 69: 45-58.
  • 3Schreiner RP and Osborne J. 2018. Defining phosphorus requirements for Pinot noir grapevines. Am J Enol Vitic 69: 351-359.
  • 4Schreiner RP and Osborne J. 2020. Potassium requirements for Pinot noir grapevines. Am J Enol Vitic 71: 33-34.
  • 5Gärtel W. 2996. Grapes In: Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities in crop plants (Ed. Bennett, W.F.). APS Press, St. Paul, MN.
  • 6Champagnol F. 2918 Elements de physiologie de la vigne et de viticulture generale. Saint-Gely-du-Fesc, France.
  • 7Schreiner RP, Scagel CF and Baham J. 2006. Nutrient uptake and distribution in a mature 'Pinot noir' vineyard. HortScience. 41: 336-345.
  • 8Schreiner RP. 2016. Nutrient uptake and distribution in young Pinot noir grapevines over two seasons. Am J Enol Vitic. 67: 436-448.
beautiful wine grapes near harvest
Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Wine grapes, Wine, beer, cider and spirits

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Establishing a Vineyard in Oregon: A Quick-Start Resource Guide

This is a quick reference for those interested in establishing a vineyard in Oregon. A step-by-step format guides readers to the basic information they would need to consider before developing a vineyard, including ...

Patricia A. Skinkis | Mar 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Distribution and Monitoring of Grape Mealybug: A Key Vector of Grapevine Leafroll Disease in Oregon

A pheromone lure baited with the sex pheromone of grape mealybug is the most reliable way to confirm the presence or absence of this important vector of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses.

Daniel Dalton, Vaughn Walton, Kent Daane, Clive Kaiser, Rick Hilton, Linda Brewer | Apr 2014 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Field Monitoring for Leafroll Virus and Mealybug in Pacific Northwest Vineyards

This publication focuses on in-field identification of signs and symptoms associated with grapevine leafroll-associated viruses and the insects that transmit them.

Patricia A. Skinkis | Jul 2009 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Preventing Herbicide Drift and Injury to Grapes

This revision updates information on susceptibility of grapevines to several common herbicides used in agricultural production. Color photos illustrate injury symptoms. The publication provides practical measures that ...

Daniel A. Ball, Mary Corp, Imed Dami | Feb 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Protecting Grapevines from Winter Injury

Winegrape production in the Pacific Northwest has expanded into areas where low winter temperatures periodically cause cane damage or death. Canes can be protected from freeze damage by burying them or covering them...

Clive Kaiser, Mercy Olmstead | Mar 2008 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Understanding Vine Balance: An Important Concept in Vineyard Management

Vineyard design and management methods that create vine balance will help sustain productive yields, achieve desired fruit quality and maintain vine health. Different climates across Oregon will affect strategies for ...

Patricia A. Skinkis, Amanda J. Vance | Jun 2013 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Field Guide for Integrated Pest Management in Pacific Northwest Vineyards

In this Second Edition, we update pest management practices for established pests and provide new information on emerging pests and diseases. To produce high-quality wine and juice grapes, effective pest management is...

Anonymous | Apr 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Scouting for Grape Powdery Mildew

This publication provides vineyard owners with approaches for finding the first occurrence of grape powdery mildew. The publication covers tactics to manage powdery mildew, including use of fungicides and canopy ...

Jay W. Pscheidt | May 2013 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Consideration and Resources for Vineyard Establishment in the Inland Pacific Northwest

This guide is primarily designed to address factors and critical questions that potential owners need to consider before establishing a new vineyard in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, or western Idaho.

Michelle Moyer, Clive Kaiser, Joan Davenport, Patricia A. Skinkis | Jul 2012 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Grapevine Nutrition

This interactive online module provides information on nutrient needs of grapevines, symptoms of deficiency and/or toxicity, and vineyard nutrient management. A section of this module explains how to diagnose non-nutrient...

Patricia A. Skinkis, Paul Schreiner | Jun 2011 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Recognize the Symptoms and Causes of Stunted Growth in Vineyards

Spring frost, herbicide drift, water or nutrient stress, diseases, and insect and mite pests can cause similar symptoms of stunting or distorted growth in grapevines. Recognizing the symptoms and distinguishing their ...

Patricia A. Skinkis, Vaughn Walton, Amy J. Dreves, Clive Kaiser, Steve Renquist, Steve Castagnoli, Rick Hilton, Linda Brewer | Jan 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Prevention and Management of Grapevine Leafroll Virus and Mealybugs in Oregon Vineyards

This document suggests practices believed to mitigate the spread of disease and virus.

Vaughn Walton, Amy J. Dreves, Patricia A. Skinkis, Clive Kaiser, Marcus A. Buchanan, Rick Hilton, Robert Martin, Steve Castagnoli, Steve Renquist | Oct 2009 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Hard Cider Production and Orchard Management in the Pacific Northwest

Making hard cider for both commercial and private enjoyment is the target of renewed interest in areas that are well suited to growing apples. This manual provides basic information on the many considerations that...

Gary A. Moulton, Carol A. Miles, Jacqueline King, Andrew Zimmerman | Nov 2010 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Yeast nutrients and 'stuck fermentations'

Fermentation doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes, a warm growing season can stall the process of turning grapes into wine. Here's what winemakers need to know to guard against "stuck fermentation," and a guide to the steps you can take to restart a slow or sluggish fermentation.

James Osborne | Sep 2018 | Article

140 Rebecca Sweet - Pollinator cover crops in vineyards

Rebecca Sweet is the founder of Buzz Cover Crop Seeds, which provides diverse mixes of cover crop, pasture and insectary seeds to small and mid-sized farms in the Pacific Northwest. Rebecca has 16 years of experience ...

Andony Melathopoulos | Jun 2020 | Podcast episode

Grape Powdery Mildew Management: Sulfur Application Rate

This article provides a summary of a research project that tested the effect of sulfur application on grape powdery mildew.

Tara Neill, Andrew Livesay, Andy Albrecht, Walt Mahaffee | Aug 2015 | Article

How to protect vineyards from grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD)

Red blotch disease was first identified in Napa Valley in 2008 and has since spread to other U.S. wine-producing regions. The disease delays grape ripening and affects wine quality. Here's how vineyards can cope.

Patricia A. Skinkis, Justin Litwin | Mar 2019 | Article

Oregon Wine Research Institute helps state's vineyards and wineries stay competitive

OSU's Oregon Wine Research Institute addresses industry's needs

Jun 2021 | Impact story

Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question