MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020. BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. Texture is a fundamental and familiar soil property. Among winegrape growers, it is common knowledge that sandy or lighter textured soils hold less water and consequently, dry more rapidly than clayey or heavier textured soils. Most are also aware that clay soils are more difficult to cultivate, being workable over a narrower range of moisture and requiring greater energy than sandy soils. Further, most growers know soil texture is roughly discernable by feel (Table 1). There are, however, other aspects of texture that are important to winegrape vineyard management. These are the topics of this article.