Julie Goforth, Author at Virginia Vineyards Association

Viognier: Virginia’s Signature Grape

Julie Goforth2011-06-03T22:07:00-04:00

On Wednesday, May 4, 2011 the Virginia Wine Board met in Charlottesville, Virginia. The primary purpose of the meeting was a working session to review industry comments on the Strategic Plan and to approve the document. As part of the discussion, a decision was made to pursue a marketing plan that will include the designation of Viognier as Virginia's signature grape for national branding purposes. Here are some of the reasons that Viognier was selected: In recent years, new wine regions have focused their national marketing on one grape variety as a way to increase attention and eventually drive tourism and [...]

Viognier: Virginia’s Signature GrapeJulie Goforth2011-06-03T22:07:00-04:00

Summary: Winter Technical Meeting

Julie Goforth2011-05-01T18:08:57-04:00

The VVA Winter Technical Meeting was held February 17-19 at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia. Here are some highlights of the research reports presented on Friday. Doug Pfeiffer and Tim Jordan, Virginia Tech Entomology Doug Pfeiffer reported on Pierce's Disease (PD), suggesting that the Tidewater region should continue to monitor for three or more nights below 09.4 C (15 F) for reduced risk of PD; if current trends continue, a high risk season is predicted for eastern Virginia. Mating disruption for Grape Root Borer (GRB) continues, and in response to successful results in our VVA-sponsored research and substantial industry-wide interest, [...]

Summary: Winter Technical MeetingJulie Goforth2011-05-01T18:08:57-04:00

Regional Report: Central Virginia

Julie Goforth2011-04-01T22:00:30-04:00

After what has felt like the proverbial long cold winter, spring is rapidly approaching. As usual I find myself going from having plenty of time to being on the verge of seriously behind schedule. The installation and planting of another acre and a half of vineyard isn’t helping alleviate that feeling. Luckily the finish pruning is complete and all off season tasks in the existing vineyard blocks should be wrapped up in a matter of days. Bud vitality surveys look promising for a positive bud break which on our property historically ranges from as early as March 28 in the Chardonnay [...]

Regional Report: Central VirginiaJulie Goforth2011-04-01T22:00:30-04:00

Regional Report: Northern Virginia

Julie Goforth2011-04-01T16:13:54-04:00

Winter of 2010-11 is just about history and as always it can’t leave a moment too soon. Not that it was a terribly harsh winter here in Northern Virginia. We certainly didn’t get the huge snowfall we got last year. And we didn’t hit any records for extreme low temperatures either. It was just a colder than average, windy winter all season long. Or at least that’s the way it seemed. As far as snow accumulations, we received 10 inches of snow here in central Loudoun County on January 26th. Because of the colder than normal temperature’s, the snow remained on [...]

Regional Report: Northern VirginiaJulie Goforth2011-04-01T16:13:54-04:00

Regional Report: Southern Piedmont

Julie Goforth2011-04-01T07:34:52-04:00

Activity in the southern grape growing region is generally focused around final pruning and getting equipment and other resources ready for the new season. We had a rather cold winter but not too much in the way of precipitation. I saw a few more dead vines this spring which apparently succumbed to those really cold nights back in December (9 F) and January (12 F) coupled with extended periods of very strong winds. January was drier than normal for this region, but February and March rainfalls have just about eliminated the earlier deficits. The winter months were a bit cold but [...]

Regional Report: Southern PiedmontJulie Goforth2011-04-01T07:34:52-04:00

Regional Report: Shenandoah Valley

Julie Goforth2011-04-01T07:30:35-04:00

After a long dry growing season last year, we have endured a droughty winter in the Shenandoah Valley. Here at the north end, we received only eight inches of rain between November and February. Further south, as little as five inches of rain fell. This will doubtless have a debilitating effect on young vines and those on shallow soils. The results may not show until mid to late spring, when vines fail to thrive. But hope springs eternal in the human breast! We have had good rain in March, just in time for the growing season. One can tell that the [...]

Regional Report: Shenandoah ValleyJulie Goforth2011-04-01T07:30:35-04:00

About Julie Goforth

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