Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech and the Virginia Cooperative Extension support the state’s grape growers through scientific research and education. Resources for growers include:

1. The Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, which operates its own vineyards for experimental purposes, is the premier state facility for the advancement of viticulture in Virginia through research and a wide variety of education and outreach programs.
2. The faculty and staff at Virginia Tech and the AHS Jr. facility comprise a strong support team for growers throughout the state. They include:
   • Dr. Mizuho Nita, a plant pathologist and extension specialist who also writes a blog of critical interest to growers: Virginia Grape Disease Updates.
   • Tremain Hatch, a viticulture extension/research associate who is extensively involved in education programs and viticulture workshops as well as outreach to new or prospective growers.
   • Dr. Doug Pfeiffer, a professor and fruit entomologist at Virginia Tech who authors Virginia Fruit Insect Updates.

3. Virginia Tech’s New Grape Grower Checklist offers information, links and tools for those new to the industry.
4. The GeoVine Vineyard Site Assessment and Forecasting tool is provided by Virginia Tech’s Center for Geospatial Information Technology and funded by the Virginia Wine Board. The free service provides vineyard site suitability and management tools.
5. Local VCE offices provide local expertise and serve as a conduit to a number of resources, including:
   • The Virginia Tech Soil Testing Lab will analyze samples from your vineyard that you submit to your local Cooperative Extension Office and will then provide specific recommendations on amendments. Check the site for specific forms and instructions.
   • The extension’s Plant Disease Clinic, which is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network, provides diagnostic services to  to VCE agents. Check the site for specific forms and instructions.
   • Training, education and technical resources for those seeking to become certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as pesticide applicators.  Contact your local extension office.
6. The AHS Jr. center offers instructions on how to collect grape petiole samples for analysis of existing vines. It also lists recommended labs.
7. The Virginia Tech Wine/Enology Grape Chemistry Group includes an extensive archive of indexed vineyard and enology notes by Enology Professor Emeritus Dr. Bruce Zoecklein.