OV research is wide ranging, covering the range from selecting a site on which to grow grapes, through the
grape growing, harvesting and winemaking processes, to aging, storing and finally evaluating the wine. In
general, OV's research can be broken down into the following areas:
site selection - soil, drainage, sunlight, inclimate weather, access, hazards, pests
grape growing - earth preparation and analysis, fertilization, pest control, organic growing methodologies,
improving the health of the vines, improving the quality of the grapes' juice, increasing yield
harvesting - Brix monitoring, transportation, staging, crushing
winemaking - primary and optional secondary stage fermentation, skin contact methods,
CO2, SG, TA, pH, MOG & sulfite monitoring, oaking, settling, stabilization, filtering, lab considerations including
equipment sterilization
aging, bottling & storage - aging techniques, additional oaking, stabilization
& filtering stages, bottle and corking types
evaluation - feedback from experts and non-experts to qualify and improve our methods
Also, OV performs research regarding possible new and innovative viticultural products; see development.
