Mr Kevin Romick, (former?) Mayor of Oakley, published a hardback version of his Shutterfly book, “Saving Ancient Vines in Oakley”. A former Dupont property was converted to a nature sanctuary for lizards, and the project involved digging up old Alicante Bouschet, and possibly some Mourvedre, vines.
The book details the efforts of one of the Lucchesi brothers in removing, transporting, and replanting the wizened vines. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but it invoice involves grapes.
I swear I have read about how it is impossible to dig out old grape vines, as roots can run very deep into the soil, and older vines are especially vulnerable to physical trauma. In a recent crisis, also in Oakley, the Emerson/José Vineyard faced possible destruction for the sake of the Dutch Water Slough preserve. The 14 acre Carignane Vineyard was saved in the 11th hour. I am happy to report that the Contra Costa community is hanging on to some of the irreplaceable artifacts of its unique agricultural identity.
My BIG QUESTION is: can you safely dig up any random grape vine and replant it in an appropriate spot (right soil medium, exposure, climate, etc), with the end goal of continued grape growth?