Pistol,

I think that it is extremely hard to successfully grow grapes without the use of a lot of chemicals. It isn't impossible, just difficult. Of course, if you are growing only a handful of grapes for personal use, it wouldn't be as hard or as time-consuming, but if you are talking about growing acres of them, it is a very labor-intensive process. And, as you have discovered, fighting disease is a never-ending battle, at least in a large-scale planting.

I have two different neighbors who have attempted to get grapes going for several years. It seems like every year one thing or another wipes out their grapes. One neighbor has completely given up, it seems, and now has an empty field with rows and rows of grape stakes but no plants.

The other seems to try to get the grapes going every other year or so, but no success yet, and I know that they have gotten lots of advice from OSU or the extension service. For a couple of years, they had a pretty good bunch of grapevines growing and then drought hit hard for a couple of years and they haven't done much with them since. They don't live here in Love County, though, and I think their vineyard (OK, their attempted vineyard) would have a better chance if they lived here full-time and could give it the attention it needs.

Since there are many successful vineyards in both Texas and Oklahoma, I know they can be grown in our soils and climates. I've linked an Oklahoma Wine Grape website for you. I don't think there is much difference in the way you manage table grapes vs. wine grapes either, and think a home gardener could use the same vines to produce grapes for both purposes if desired.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Grape Growing Info