Becoming a Licensed Grower What is DVR DVR owns the only successful collection of Norton/Vinifera crosses in the world. These grapes include crosses (made near Davis, California from 1996 to 2002) with Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec and sixteen other Vitis Vinifera varieties from such diverse locations as Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, Hungary and Kazakhstan. There are over 50 unique and different vines now being tested in DVR experimental vineyards. These include grapes that are suitable for making white wine, rose, red wine and Port. This collection really represents an entirely new family of vines based on breeding the best of European Vitis Vinifera with the best American wine grape. All of these grapes are new and unique and are protectable with plant patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent has a 20 year term. Becoming a Licensed Growers DVR is interested in locating a select group of growers throughout the nation, from California to New York, to grow and develop this exciting new family of grapevines. As of the spring of 2011 there were licensed DVR growers in 15 states from coast to coast and from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. All growers who purchase DVR vines will become “Licensed DVR Growers.” This will entitle them to be at the front of the line in buying existing varieties and to be given preference when ordering new varieties as they are released. In addition each grower and winemaker will become a part of a select group with common goals. A Select Group with Common Goals 1. We have an accepted style, i.e., both Cabernet crosses make first class dry red wines. We will avoid the “identity drift” that has hampered the acceptance of other excellent varieties when the same varieties have been used to make dry wines, semi-dry wines, sweet wines and even fortified desert wines. 2. We have grower communication to assist in all aspects of growing the vines to make sure that each planting is a successful one. 3. We have assistance after the sale. The staff at DVR has almost 100 years of grape growing experience with almost every wine variety grown in the US. 4. We have cooperation not competition among growers and winemakers. It is in every one’s best interest to work together to achieve marketing success for these vines. We are a minute part of the giant wine world and will probably never directly compete with one another. Good publicity for one of us, is good publicity for all. Cooperation is key. 5. We fully share what we know. There is always an open invitation for any grower to visit a DVR vineyard. Modern technology also makes possible the rapid transmission of pictures over cell phones and the internet. Much More than a Breeder and Nursery DVR is much more than grape vine breeder and nursery. We realize that we must also assist in achieving recognition and publicity for these new varieties. We are not interested in selling a few experimental vines here and there with the hope that in years to come these vines will achieve the recognition they deserve. We are seeking growers who will make a serious commitment to growing DVR vines and making quality wine. A One Thousand Gallon Commitment We are seeking those growers who will participate by growing at least one acre of any individual vine. From a winemaking standpoint this is almost the minimum needed for making a representative quality vintage of wine. It also allows for the production of a commercially meaningful amount of wine. Prices and Terms Thus, we will accept orders of 600 vines or more for any one variety. The price of vines for the Spring of 2011 is $3.50 per vine. One third due at time of order, one third due on April 1st and balance to be paid at time of shipment. All licensed growers will agree to a non propagation agreement. DVR is committed to enforcing the patents on these varieties which in turn will protect the investment of the licensed growers. Plants for the Spring of 2011 Demand for these plants has been so high that almost all our cutting wood has been devoted to making green growing plants in our greenhouses. Thus, for the Spring of 2011 we will have mainly green growing plants available. We will have a small supply of dormant rooted plants, however, you should contact us as early as possible as these are usually sent to growers on the west coast where shipping takes longer. Actually we prefer to plant green-growing plants in “pots” as opposed to plants that were field rooted in the previous year. First, the green-growing plants are actively growing from the day they are planted. You do not have the lost lag-time which can be from one week to 10 days that you have with dormant plants. This two week period represents some of the best time of the growing season. We have planted dormant cutting and green-growing plants next to one another and in most instances the green-growing plants will out grow the dormant plants. For the Spring of 2011 we should have an adequate supply of both types of plants. Open and Transparent A non propagation agreement will be sent to the prospective licensed grower for his or her consideration prior to the culmination of any orders. Technically this is not necessary since the vines are patented and can not be reproduced by anyone, but the agreement spells out in non legal language what is expected. Tips on Planting Vines Click here on Plantings or on navigation bar at top of page. |
DVR - Growers Info.
 |  |  |  |