Less than optimal sun duration

[alurpal]

All other variables aside, if I have a perfect spot for some vinifera vines but it only gets 5 hours full sun due to sloped hill and trees, would I expect less yields, longer ripening, or both?

 

[ChuckD]

I don’t have much experience with grapes yet (mine are still babies) but I do a lot of vegetable gardening and yields and quality are almost always best with full sun… 5 hours is a lot less than full sun in the summer months.

This may not hold for grapes that are being grown in areas that are too hot and dry.

I would check with your local university viniculture program

 

[wood1954]

All other variables aside, if I have a perfect spot for some vinifera vines but it only gets 5 hours full sun due to sloped hill and trees, would I expect less yields, longer ripening, or both?

Several of my vines are shaded and receive about 6 hours of full sun and they struggle so much I either need to cut a tree down or pull them. I don’t think 5 hours of sun will ripen your grapes.

 

[Snafflebit]

All other variables aside, if I have a perfect spot for some vinifera vines but it only gets 5 hours full sun due to sloped hill and trees, would I expect less yields, longer ripening, or both?

What time of year does this place receive 5 hours of sunlight? In the winter the sun is lower in the sky, so you will receive more sunlight in the summer than winter.

 

[alurpal]

What time of year does this place receive 5 hours of sunlight? In the winter the sun is lower in the sky, so you will receive more sunlight in the summer than winter.

Good point. 5 hours is actually what my site has now, in March. I believe it should be a minimum of 6 as the days get longer.