From speaking to other growers in the area, it seems that 2013 was a very bad year for primary bud abortion in Viognier. Growers affected by primary bud abortion are encouraged to share their experiences HERE. Thanks in advance for your participation! -Ben Margulies | Vineyard Manager & Wine Maker |Democracy Vineyards
Happy Harvesting! The latest issue of the VVA Grape Press is out. Check out the new format that includes sections and labels to make it easier for you to navigate the newsletter. Click here to view the current issue or visit our Resources page to access this issue and past issues of the VVA Grape Press.
A 9 day technical study tour of Alsace, Burgundy and Champagne, will be conducted by Professors Bruce Zoecklein, Virginia Tech, and Pascal Durand, University of Burgundy. The study tour will be to the most famous vineyards, and will feature wine and great food from some of the most prestigious winemakers of these regions. Also featured will be the gastronomic pleasures of each area. Dates: December 5-13, 2013 This is the 8th technical tour that we have conducted. Previous travels have included Bordeaux, Spain, Provence, the Loire, the Rhone, and Burgundy. Several write-ups about our Technical Study Tours are posted at www.vtwines.info [...]
In an effort to address challenges with Spotted Wing Drosophila, Christine Vrooman has started a SWD discussion board. If you are having trouble with this pest or have some experience you would like to share in dealing with SWD, please visit this link - http://swd.freeforums.net/thread/2/swd-forum - create a login and join the discussion!
If you are experiencing, or have in previous years, any issues with Spotted Winged Drospohila (SWD) and are interested in learning of fellow growers' experiences this year and participating in an email conversation of SWD, please email contact@ankidaridge.com.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that sales of Virginia wine rose 5 percent for the year ending June 30, to 511,000 cases -- a new all-time record. "With the outstanding product being produced by our grape growers and wine makers, it's no surprise that more and more people are buying Virginia wines and experiencing our wineries and vineyards," Gov. McDonnell said. "I'm pleased our administration's focus on promoting Virginia wines and wine tourism both here and abroad is helping the Commonwealth's wine industry to grow and expand." See the press release at: http://1.usa.gov/125RP79
UPDATE: Both classes have been filled. The Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension is offering a class for Virginia Vineyards Association members on Berry Sensory Analysis, a method developed in France to assess grape maturity. The BSA method is the most widely recognized and practical method for berry sensory assessment. This hands-on course will include the following: • Principles and goals of Berry Sensory Assessment • Proper vineyard sampling • Analytical score sheet to assess berry maturity • Training on evaluation of whole berry, pulp, skins and seeds • Both classroom evaluation and field evaluation The class is free, and participants will receive [...]
From the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office Today, we as an industry have heavy hearts for the passing of Claude DelFosse of DelFosse Vineyards & Winery. Claude, age 73, passed away on July 11, 2013 after a brief fight with cancer. Claude Delfosse He was born on June 27, 1940 and received his undergraduate in Math and Engineering from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers in Paris and his graduate degree in Aeronautics from California Institute of Technology. He was known for his love of all things French, a passion for making quality Virginia wines, and for his beautiful winery [...]
Happy Independence Day! We're posting the Summer 2013 Grape Press for those of you who would like to spend your holiday relaxing with some light reading. If this rain continues, then this might be your best option! Click here to view the current issue or visit our Resources page to access this issue and past issues of the VVA Grape Press.
The Virginia Sustainable Winegrowers Self-Assessment Guide (VSWAG) has been updated to provide a correction and three usability features for all users and finally several tool administrator functions that the user will not see or use but are important to keep the VSWAG up and running as well as giving me the ability to gather some statistics, for example as of this writing, we have 41 contributors registered in the tool and they have registered 38 different vineyard blocks. The modifications that are of interest to you as users are listed below with a short explanation of its use. Nelson County is [...]
