NO VINEYARD WITHOUT SOIL. Soil is the basis for all that follows. The vine needs support, water and nutrients for producing leaves and roots, oxygen for the roots to breath and warmth to promote growth. These vital requirements are provided by the soil to a greater and lesser degree. Rootability, water and nutrient balance, aeration and the warming capacity all depend on the interplay between the various soil components.       The soil is the uppermost, weathered part of the earth’s crust. Climate and soil organisms have turned mineral and organic substances to soil. The parent material has a profound effect on the soil properties. Soil texture determines water and air permeability and the available soil water capacity. The mineral composition controls the inorganic nutrient content. Colour and stoniness influence the storage and distribution of warmth in the soil and on the surface.      Soils consist of different sized particles, which determine the nutrient balance and the long-term reserves - its „mineral power“. The properties of the soil depend on the interplay between many factors: climate, vegetation, topography, parent material and management practices. Since these factors vary from location