Norton: Dark Knight of American Wine
This is the first article of a two part profile on the Norton grape. The first article discusses the characteristics of today’s Norton and includes a report on the 2012 Norton Harvest. The next...
Tagged: Missouri wine
Offbeat European Grapes Growing Across the Midwest
Increasingly, Midwestern winemakers are defying convention by growing popular vinifera grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. But in recent years, a number of vineyards have planted lesser known European grapes considered offbeat for the...
Grape Breeder’s Hypothesis Could Reveal Norton Grape Origins
A Virginia grape breeder has conducted experiments and historical research that could lead to the unveiling of the genetic origin of one of America’s most renowned and mysterious native grapes: Norton. The UK-based Journal...
Drastically Lower Grape Yields Predicted for Some Midwest States
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its first estimate of the United States grape harvest yield in its August Crop Production report. Despite this year’s frosts that struck many states and the...
Drought Tipping Point: Vines Risk Long Term Damage
As the drought continues to worsen and temperatures across the Midwest exceed 100 degrees, viticulture experts warn that grape growers could face long-term vine damage. If there is no significant rain in the coming days,...
Crown Valley Winery Hires New Winemaker
South Africa native Alwyn Dippenaar has been named the new winemaker at Crown Valley Winery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Al, as he prefers to be called, arrived at Crown Valley Winery in March of...
Inside Look at Missouri Wine Tech Group
On May 15th, the Missouri Wine Technical Group held a Norton Workshop. The workshop was an opportunity for winemakers from across Missouri and the Midwest to share information about Norton winemaking in a formal,...
Seven Springs Winery In Missouri Grows Strategically
Just because a winery is new or small does not mean its business model is simple. Consider Seven Springs Winery which has been in business only three and one half years and sells...
Patty Held: Wine Trail Marketing Ideas
The wine trail concept is exploding! From California to Maine there are 251 wine trails across the USA with 1878 wineries making up these trails in 43 states. Wine trails are made up of...
New Smart Phone Service Drives Traffic to Wineries
As of March of this year, 72.5 million Americans owned smartphones, up 15% from the preceding three-month period. Taking advantage of this trend is America’s Wine Trails, a St. Louis based company started in...