Grapes

Most have finished or already finished pruning. Remember, if you have a site where there is a history or severe risk of bud damage from late frosts with early budding varieties (such as ‘Chardonnay’), it is best to prune those last as this will help to delay bud break. You can also prune to long spurs (5-6 buds) or long canes initially to take advantage of apical dominance and then do a quick final pruning down to your final spur bud count when the risk of frost has passed.

There is a very common axiom in viticulture and enology that states, "the wine is made in the vineyard," and therefore "to make a great wine you need to start with great grapes." Most wineries have a quality standard as well as a particular wine-making "style" which they try to maintain. However, in most locations in the East, it is a challenge to come up with great grapes every year to maintain that style due to the annual variability in weather and its effect on ripening.

There is a very common axiom in viticulture and enology that, "the wine is made in the vineyard," and therefore "to make a great wine you need to start with great grapes." Most amateur winemakers have a particular winemaking “style” that they try to maintain, however, in most locations in the Eastern U.S., it is a challenge to come up with great grapes every year to maintain that style due to the annual variability in weather. The cool, dry, "dream" growing season of 2001 contrasted with the wet, "difficult" season of 2000 is a classic example of the disparity of conditions commonly experienced from year to year.

The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) at the USDA’s National Agricultural Library (NAL) has put together a new Web page on sustainable viticulture for growers and Extension personnel. Librarian and Maryland Cooperative Extension coordinator Stephanie Ritchie has created a virtual bibliography of private, governmental, and selected land-grant university Web sites from around the U. S. and Australia offering information and publications on sustainable practices for wine grape growing.

Grapevine nutrition plays a major role in the vineyard, including vegetative vigor, yield, fruit quality, cold hardiness, and longevity, therefore the nutrients in the soil and plant must be monitored and controlled for optimal efficiency. Since this is a constantly changing situation, it is best to set up a regular program of soil and petiole sampling and analysis, so those appropriate amendments can be made to keep the vineyard in vegetative and reproductive balance.

Pruning and canopy management resources for commercial grapes.

The University of Maryland Extension, Viticulture & Enology Research program wines entered yearly through the National American Wine Society Amateur (noncommercial) Wine Competition. The competition results are listed on this web page.

Supplies and equipment resources for commercial grapes.

Provides information, and resources to aid Maryland’s wine grape growers to farm in a sustainable manner.

Grow tubes have shown some distinct advantages for establishment of grapevines. This article presents the benefits of using grow tubes. Disadvantages are discussed in a separate article.