On May 4th, Philippe Coquard of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin commented on his spring 2012 vineyard experiences in the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association internet discussion forum. Coquard has one of the largest vineyards in Wisconsin at 27 acres and operates Wollersheim, the state's largest winery, with his wife, Julie. Philippe allowed Midwest Wine Press to print … [Read more...]
Wine Makers Love Southern Illinois Grape Growers
May 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The best winemakers know that great wine is made in the vineyard. The quality of grapes being grown in Illinois is a part of the reason that the quality of Illinois wine is growing in excellence. Recently, Midwest Wine Press visited grape growers in Southern Illinois whose grapes are being made into award-winning wines by Northern Illinois wineries. Heimann Vineyards, Dix, … [Read more...]
Brianna Grape is Midwest’s New Tropical Fruit
May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
When Acquaviva Winery in Maple Park, Illinois petitioned the Tax and Trade Bureau during 2007 to use the name Brianna for their wine labels, they found that only one other winery had petitioned for the name. From virtually anonymity just five years ago, Brianna is now growing in popularity all over the Midwest. Grape growers like this wine grape for its cold hardiness, surviving … [Read more...]
John Marshall: Spring Pruning and Frost Protection
April 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As I write, it is easily the warmest March in my lifetime. In fact, it is seems like the warmest winter in history. I was watching the weather the other night and the weatherman was reciting data that suggested this was the eleventh warmest winter on record. I recall thinking the other 10 must have been before 1945 because it has been easily the warmest winter in my recollection. It has been … [Read more...]
April Frost and Freeze Damage Reports
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Midwest Wine Press reported on conditions in Midwest vineyards throughout April 2012. The information below was compiled from conversations with grape growers across the Midwest between April 11th and April 26th, 2012. Updates on recent growing conditions can be found in the News section on the homepage and a related story published May 2nd, 2012: Grape Freeze Damage Extensive in Ohio, New … [Read more...]
Top Tips For Controlling Crown Gall
March 27, 2012 By 1 Comment
Crown gall symptoms are characterized by distinct tumor-like overgrowths on roots, trunks, and vines. New galls that form during early summer are light-colored, but they turn dry and corky by late summer. Expansion of galls results in girdling of vines and roots. Suppression of water and nutrient uptake by galls can lead to either rapid vine death or gradual dieback and susceptibility of adverse … [Read more...]
Viticulture Advice For Warmest March Ever from MSU and UW Experts
March 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
According to Diane Brown at the Berrien County Michigan State University Extension, with the weather this warm this early, grape growers are in uncharted waters in terms of vineyard management practices. Brown, who is a Commercial Horticulture Educator at MSU, said that there has never been an earlier bud break in Michigan than 2012. The National Grape Cooperative officially set bud … [Read more...]
Scott Henry Trellis Technique Demo at Domaine Berrien Cellars
February 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
John Marshall: Frost Damage Protection for the Small Grower
January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment
Here in Minnesota and across much of the Upper Midwest we have had two dramatic frost damage events in the past year and a half. One on Mother’s Day Weekend in Spring 2010 and one this past September 15, 2011. Some growers escaped. Others did not but this has demonstrated clearly how serious these events can be and has made us look toward ways to reduce or escape the damaging effects of late … [Read more...]
Petite Amie Wine Romances Midwest Winemakers
December 7, 2011 By 1 Comment
Cuthills Vineyards owner Ed Swanson has had a girlfriend for six years, and his wife Holly knows all about it. But Swanson's paramour is not a human; it's a white wine grape called Petite Amie, which is the French term for girl friend. Across the Northern tier of the Midwest, Petite Amie is romancing winemakers who like its cold hardiness and its distinct floral bouquet. Mark Wedge … [Read more...]
