Markus Keller says growers in eastern Washington now have no reason to fear using rootstocks. Photo by Melissa Hansen A major rootstock trial spanning more than a decade found that rootstocks generally did not impact vine phenology, fruit set, and plant water status, nor did they impact wine quality when compared to wines from own-rooted grapes. Variety, location, and vintage are the driving factors of grape quality, say a pair of Washington State University researchers. In short, WSU viticulturist Dr. Markus Keller said the research dispels the fear of using rootstocks in eastern Washington. “There’s always been a fear of […]