Written By AJ Greely
VVA WTM AIDS GROWERS IN FACING CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN THE VINEYARD
Once again, we gathered together for our annual Winter Technical Meeting in Harrisonburg, VA.
Considering the growing challenges we all face in our vineyards, whether disease and pest pressure, more extreme weather conditions, or labor problems, sometimes it can feel like growing grapes is a daily struggle.
The 2025 Winter Technical Meeting strove to help meet and manage those challenges through a packed schedule, one of our longest to date, in addition to providing the training needed for members to complete their pesticide recertification credits.
One of our biggest challenges was finding new leaders for our Education Committee willing to dedicate the time necessary to plan such a large meeting. We are thankful to both Dr. Kendra Baugartner and Dr. Drew Harner for stepping up and working to coordinate an exceptional meeting.
In addition to all of the updates provided from the Grape Breeding, Legal Issues to the WRE and VWA, attendees heard from speakers ranging from managing insect-borne diseases, to owner and worker rights when working with DHS, safely working through heat and humidity as well as vineyard floor management.
While a significant and broad range of topics was covered, each speaker provided necessary data for our growers to stay up to date and ready to launch into another season.
This year, we also welcomed our new Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Katie Frazier. Originally from the Shenandoah Valley, Secretary Frazier has long been an advocate for Virginia grape growers and makers, and we’re happy to welcome her as she steps into her four-year term.
Secretary Frazier presented the Grape Grower of the Year Award to Damien Blanchon, winemaker and general manager at Afton Mountain Vineyards. Driven by an unconditional passion for viticulture, Damien has a profound understanding that the finest wine is truly made in the vineyard. As a dedicated winemaker and vineyard manager at Afton Mountain, he has long embraced connecting directly with the land on which the grapes are grown. His most significant impact, however, lies in his innovative leadership and dedication to sustainability. A pioneering voice in the region, Damien actively works to think outside the box, collaborating with other winemakers and vineyard managers to organize and develop the Sustainable Virginia Vineyards Certification as well as participating in other environmental initiatives. His work sets a progressive, quality-driven standard for the entire Virginia wine and vineyard community.
Once again, it takes a team to plan and organize a successful Winter Technical Meeting, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in coordinating the WTM, including the Education Committee and Tracy Kirkman, whose dedicated work behind the scenes makes everything go as seamlessly as possible.
Our committee members are an important part of keeping the VVA working alongside our Board Members. If you’re interested in participating in a committee, please reach out to us. We’d love to have you on board!
Finally, we’re looking for our members to host upcoming Regional Meetings, created to make time for us to see one another face to face over a beverage and some food. If you’d like to host a meeting, please reach out to us! Our first was held at Oakencroft in the Monticello AVA, with Imbibe Solutions sponsoring the food. Right now, we’re planning one for the Shenandoah Valley, and we look forward to hosting them across the state.
If you’d like to host either a Regional Meeting or the upcoming Summer Technical Meeting, please reach out to me at aj@harkvineyards.com
We’ll look forward to seeing everyone for our Summer Technical meeting. Until then, keep thinking warm thoughts!