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Content:
 
2006 Grape-Wine Short Course
Warm Weather and Vine Hardiness
NE-OH Grape School
Upcoming Events

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2006 Grape-Wine Short Course
By Dr. Imed Dami, HCS-OARDC

        The Ohio Grape-Wine Short Course (OGWSC), which was held on 12-14 February 2006 in Wilmington, attracted 140 attendees including producers, exhibitors and speakers. The attendance was impressive considering the location in southern Ohio. Several new faces showed up to this educational program, which is another indication of the continuous growth of our industry. The short course would not have been successful without the partnership and collaboration in organization and sponsorship of the Ohio Wine Producers Association, the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, and The Ohio State University. We especially thank our five featured speakers for outstanding presentations as well as our 20 local speakers from OSU-Extension, OARDC, ODA, and the industry. The contribution of the staff from OWPA and the Viticulture-Enology program at OSU is greatly appreciated. A CD-ROM will be produced containing all Power Point presentations and copies will be mailed to all registrants in the near future. Once again we thank you for attending the OGWSC 2006 and look forward to seeing you in 2007. In the meantime, please contact Todd Steiner or me if you have topics and/or speakers you are interested to see in next years’ short course.
 


Warm Weather and Vine Hardiness
By Dr. Imed Dami, HCS-OARDC

        This winter has been one of the warmest in records in Ohio and many grape growers are concerned about the impact of mild weather on vine hardiness or lack of it. In fall of 2005, conditions for vine acclimation were excellent, i.e. we had a long growing season and slow cooling before the killing frost thus vines acclimated well and were ready for the harsh temperatures in winter when they went dormant. The colder it gets in the winter the hardier the vines become. Thus, with a mild winter, vines did not reach their maximum hardiness "potential". At the same time it did not get extremely cold to cause damage either. We measured cold hardiness of few cultivars this winter and in mid-December, for example, the temperature that killed 50% of primary buds or LT50 was –4F for Cabernet Sauvignon, -11F for Seyval and –14F for Concord. The coldest temperature vines were exposed to, in our research vineyard, was 1F on 12 December 2005.

        Before deacclimation, dormant vines have to satisfy a certain number of hours of chilling (temperature between 32F and 50F) called “chilling requirement” in order to “wake up” and grow again.  Chilling requirements for grapes are in the range of 100 to 600 hours and considered low compared to other fruit trees. What that means is vines can satisfy their chilling requirements quickly with mild winters. Currently, we are conducting a study to determine chilling requirements of Cabernet franc and Concord.  The warming and fluctuations of temperature referred to as “January thaw” can be harmful as grapevines deacclimate quicker under those conditions thus sustain more bud damage. Such scenario took place last weekend where temperature warmed up to 61F then dropped to 5F in 55 hours at OARDC Research Vineyard in Wooster. Thankfully, the warming did not last long (hours rather than days) and cycles of freeze/thaw resumed, thus vines have not deacclimated yet. If bud damage occurred from that event, it would be in only the most sensitive vinifera varieties planted in the riskiest sites.

        Bottom line, growers should not worry too much about the last episode. I suspect grapevines are hardy enough to sustain the low temperature we experienced. Having stated that, however, we are not out of the woods yet as we have 6 to 8 weeks to go before bud break and single digit temperature can occur. As a reminder, growers should delay pruning of the most tender varieties and/or use double pruning as I have discussed during the short course. 


NE-OH Grape School: 7 March
By David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator, Ashtabula County

See attachment for registration and more information. Topics will include the following:

Ashtabula County Extension Update - David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator will update growers on the status of the northeast Ohio weather temperature study and the state-wide grape labor management survey.
 
Ashtabula County Research Update - Greg Johns, Branch Manager of the OARDC Ashtabula Research Station will give an update on the research projects that are being conducted at the branch.  You will be amazed by the amount of research being conducted at the Ashtabula Research Station
 
OSU Viticulture-Enology Program Update - Dr. Imed Dami, State Leader of the OSU Viticulture-Enology program, will provide an update on the grape educational programs and research being conducted across the state.  Hear the results of the state-wide Viticulture-Enology Survey.
 
Management of Grape Berry Moth - Dr. Tim Weigle from Cornell University will share the results from the New York State Grape IPM program’s feasibility study of using Trichogramma ostriniae to control grape berry moth damage in vineyards of New York and Pennsylvania. 

Setting up a Vineyard Lab for Essential Analysis - In the production of a premium table or dessert wine, it is essential to start with quality grapes in the vineyard. It is critical to monitor grape maturity and quality in the laboratory to assure quality at harvest. Dr. Todd Steiner, Enology Outreach Specialist for OARDC, will share the essential equipment, materials required, space and organization of a properly set up laboratory.  In addition, laboratory procedures for essential analysis will be shared.

A Look at Wine Barrels - Brian Wilson, from Keystone Cooperage, will be on hand to introduce their barrel making company to our producers and share information on their barrel types, toasting differences, origin of wood and sensory evaluation data.
 
Industry Reception & Dinner (6:00-7:00 pm) - A wine tasting reception in the cellar will be followed by a wonderful dinner provided by Grand River Cellars consisting of a dinner salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing served with a French Baquette, roasted half of chicken, roasted red garlic mashed potatoes, Carribean mixed vegetables and a chocolate brownie for dessert.  This will be an excellent time for grape producers to relax, dine and share fellowship.
 
Observations in Italian Viticulture and Enology - Join Michelle Widner, Dave Scurlock and Todd Steiner as they share the current marketing, viticulture, and enology topics observed in the commercial grape and wine industry in Italy. The tour was focused in the Northern Italy region considered as a cool climate viticulture area. An objective of the trip was to identify the potential of introducing new varieties to be successfully grown in Ohio leading to increasing our premium wine quality. In addition, valuable information will be given regarding specific viticulture and enology practices observed at some of the finest vineyards and wineries in Northern Italy.  Highlights from information presented in viticulture and enology research at the Institute Agrario San Michele All’ Aldige will also be shared. 


2006 Upcoming Events

March
 
1-3    Michigan Wine Industry Annual Meeting.  Crystal Mountain Resort.  Thompsonville,  MI.  Wine marketing writer Elizabeth Slater will offer two workshops and provide individual consulting. Other sessions include Scott Labs on finishing wine for bottling and wine makers’ tasting.  Find more details at http://www.michiganwines.com/index.html. 
 
3-4    56th Annual Finger Lakes Grape Growers Convention and Trade Show.  Holiday Inn. Waterloo. NY.  Practical information for growers and wine makers as well as latest research from NYSAES.  Breakout sessions on soil health and root biology, grower technology innovations, sprayer technology, business management issues  and ‘the basics’ for new growers on Friday, research, pest management updates and trade show on Saturday.  For more information, please call 315-536-5134 or visit http://www.cce.cornell.edu/programs/finger-lakes-grape/. . 
 
4      Maryland Grape Growers Association Annual Meeting.  Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, MD.  Alice Wise from Cornell Cooperative Extension on Long Island will talk about sustainable viticulture practices.  Ed Boyce from Black Ankle Vineyard will talk about the development of their vineyard using biodynamic principles and Phil Roth from Roth Vineyard in Fairfield, PA will speak on his experience using compost in his vineyard.  A panel discussion with wine makers and growers will discuss this important relationship.  For more information, visit the MGGA web site at www.marylandwine.com/mgga/ or contact Dick Penna at 310-432-2338 for information. 

7       NE Ohio Grape School. See above.
 
11     Grape Expectations: A Viticultural and Enological Symposium.  Forsgate Country Club. Monroe Twp, NJ.  A full day of viticulture and enology topics focusing on practical aspects of wine growing in New Jersey.  Mystery wine and awards for NJ wines are presented.  For information and registration, please contact Dr. Gary Pavlis at 609-758-7311. 
 
12-15   30^th Annual Wineries Unlimited.  Lancaster Host Resort.  Lancaster, PA.  This is the largest wine and vineyard seminar and trade show east of the Rockies.  The theme for this year’s meeting is “Sustainability” with sessions from biodynamic to cold climate wine growing. Speakers come from all around the U.S.  A strong emphasis on marketing wine products. The last day is a focused seminar topic.  On-line registration is available and more information at http://www.myvwm.com/. 
 

19-22   Terroir 2006: A Dialogue between Earth Scientists and Winemakers.  Davis, California. This international conference will explore how aspects of terroir can be studied scientifically in ways that are of use to the wine industry.  Planned sessions include * What is Terroir? * Terroir Around the World * Geology, Soils, Nutrients and Terroir * Climate, Water, and Terroir * Expressions of Terroir in Vine and Grape Physiology * Marketing the Romance of Terroir * Terroir and the Sensory Characteristics of Wine * Impact of Global Climate Change * New Techniques for Studying Terroir * Terroir and Cuisine.  For more information, go to http://terroir2006.ucdavis.edu
 
30     Lake Erie Grape Growers Convention.  Fredonia State University, Fredonia, NY.  Breakout sessions with information on process and wine grapes with a trade show.  For information call Linda Aures at 715-672-5296 or visit http://.lenewa.netsync.net/public/lergphom.htm . 
 
April
 
5-7    35^th Annual New York Wine Industry Workshop.  NYSAES, Geneva, NY.  The program includes seminars on wine marketing hosted by NY Wine and Grape Foundation and the annual Unity Dinner.  Also included is a trade show and technical seminar focus on wine bottling.  Information and registration at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/fst/faculty/henick/events.html. 
 
May
 
8-10    Pennsylvania Wine Association Annual Meeting.  Wyndham Hotel Harrisburg/Hershey. Harrisburg, PA.  Invited speakers focus on current topics important to the PA wine industry. Enology, wine marketing and viticulture topics are all on the program.  Pesticide credits available.  Awards banquet and annual PWA business meeting.  For information, please call Jennifer at 717-234-1844. 
 
June      
 
7    Maryland Grape Growers’ Association Field Day.  Upper Marlboro UMD Center. Visit the MGGA web site for details. www.marylandwine.com/mgga/
 
28-30  American Society for Enology and Viticulture Annual Convention.  Sacramento, CA.  ASEV is the professional association of the U.S. wine industry.  The focus is on viticulture and enology research with a large trade show.  For more information, go to www.asev.org.
 
July
 
9-12  American Society for Enology and Viticulture Eastern Section Annual Meeting. Rochester, NY. This is an important opportunity for non-western states growers to hear the latest research results from their regions include student papers and Viticulture Consortium projects.  Pre-conference tour of Finger Lakes wineries is available.  For more information, visit the ASEV-ES web site at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/fst/asev/