Sunridge Nurseries: Clean plant material, confidence from the start
By Sunridge Nurseries
For table grape growers, vineyard performance begins long before planting day. Establishing a new table grape vineyard is a significant investment. Variety selection, site preparation, labor, irrigation, and thoughtful planning all contribute to the success of a planting. But before any of those decisions can deliver results, there is one fundamental consideration: the health of the plant material going into the ground.
At Sunridge Nurseries, we believe growers should have confidence in the health and quality of their vines from the very beginning. That is why our plant health program goes well beyond simply meeting required testing standards.
Advanced testing leads to higher confidence
Each year, Sunridge tests 100 percent of our mother blocks at a 99 percent confidence level for a comprehensive range of grapevine viruses and other pathogens. This rigorous approach provides an additional level of confidence in the cleanliness of the cuttings we harvest and the vines we produce.
Image by Sunridge Nurseries
In 2025 alone, our testing program included more than 142,000 mother vines. This extensive sampling reflects the scale of our commitment to plant health and the importance we place on starting with clean source material. For table grape growers, that matters. The health of a vine at planting can have implications for the productivity and longevity of a vineyard for years to come.
Testing that goes further
Our commitment to plant health doesn’t stop with sampling.
Sunridge operates its own accredited, state-of-the-art plant pathology laboratory, giving our team access to advanced molecular diagnostic testing and rapid turnaround times. Our laboratory capabilities, combined with isolated mother blocks, strict sanitation protocols, and multiple verification steps throughout propagation and production, create a comprehensive system of quality control.
This integrated approach allows us to monitor plant health from the first cutting through the finished vine.
Staying ahead of emerging concerns
Plant health protocols must continually evolve alongside the challenges facing growers. Following the latest recommendations from UC Davis, Sunridge has advanced its annual testing schedule to improve late-spring detection of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus.
Earlier testing can provide an opportunity to identify potential issues sooner and take appropriate action, another example of how Sunridge continues to invest in processes designed to protect the health of our vines and the confidence of our growers.
Image by Sunridge Nurseries
Your vineyard investment starts with the vine
For table grape growers, planting decisions have long-term consequences. Starting with quality, carefully tested plant material is one of the most important steps in establishing a vineyard with confidence.
At Sunridge, we don’t view plant health as a single test or a box to check. It is a process built into every stage of production, from our mother blocks and laboratory testing to sanitation, propagation, and final quality control. Because when you’re investing in the future of your vineyard, confidence should start at the source.
For more information, contact
Dustin Hooper
dustin@sridge.net
(661) 301-7399
Facebook: Sunridge Nurseries
Instagram: @sunridgenurseries
*All images by Sunridge Nurseries
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