The main objective in grape production:

Maximize sunlight interception.

Figure 1. Concord Bud Development. Cluster initiation (arrows) in green shoots begins just after bloom, and by just before veraison, the buds reach stage 6 of 15. After the winter dormancy and bud break the following season, buds pick back up and finish developing via shoot emergence and growth by bloom, at which point the cycle begins anew.
*Dates on x-axis are approximate for each season. Adapted from Goffinet, Wine East 2001.

Regardless of the variety to be planted, a grower will need to be sure to install a trellis (the physical structure to which the vines are attached) within the first year of planting.  This will enable easier handling of the vines, as well as improve weed and pest management techniques and efficacy in the first two years of growth.  Deciding as early as possible will enable growers to calculate the amount of materials needed.  Figure 2 depicts a few training systems, with the most commonly used in NY being top wire cordon (juice grapes, hybrids, vines with procumbent growth habits) and mid-wire cordon, or VSP (Vitis vinifera varieties, some hybrids with upright growth habits).

Figure 2. Training systems for grape vineyards. Image taken from Training Systems for New York Vineyards page from Dr. Bob Pool's Grape Pages.

Variety selection can also dictate training system options.  For example, many of the varieties native to the US and their hybrids have procombent growth habits, meaning, then tend to grow toward the vineyard floor.  In these cases, a top wire cordon system can maximize sunlight interception, thus increasing fruitfulness in these varieties.  Conversely, Vitis vinifera varieties tend to have upright growth habits, lending themselves to a vertical shoot positioning (VSP) system. (Figure 3)  Either of these training systems can be expanded to manage excessive vigor, though dividing the canopies horizontally, as seen in Figure 4.

Figure 3.  Choose the appropriate training system for each variety planted.  'Cabernet Franc' is better suited to vertical shoot positioning (VSP) systems, while the hybrid 'Diamond' is best suited to top wire cordon training.

Figure 4.  For overly vigorous sites, separating the canopy horizontally will improve sunlight interception.  A) Geneva Double Curtain (GDC) divides a top wire cordon system.  B)  A Lyre trellis divides a VSP system.

Why it is important to have a training system in place very soon after planting:

Figure 5.  By allowing vines to crawl along the vineyard floor for an entire season, not only can weed control be more difficult, but training also gets very messy.

Vine training and trellis systems are explored in-depth in Wine Grape Production Guide for Eastern North America and Wine Grape Varieties in California.  Ideally, the goal is to establish and maintain a fairly uniform vineyard to allow for easier mechanical access and management.

Figure 6.  Proper training makes for easier pruning and canopy management.

Resources

Christensen, L.P., Dokoozlian, N., Walker, M.A., Wolpert, J.A. (eds.). 2003. Wine Grape Varieties in California. University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3419.

Goffinet, M.C. 2001. Grapevine buds: construction, development, and potential for cropping. Wine East Magazine, Sept.-Oct., pp. 14�23. L&H Photojournalism, Lancaster, PA.

Jordan, T.D., Pool, R.M., Zabadal, T.J., and Tomkins, J.P. 1980. Cultural Practices for Commercial Vineyards. NYSAES, Bulletin 111. (sadly, out of print)

Winkler, A. J., J. A. Cook, W. M. Kliewer, and L. A. Lider. 1974. General Viticulture. University of California Press.

Wolf, T. et.al. 2008. Wine Grape Production Guide for Eastern North America. Cooperative Extension NRAES:145.

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Content by:

Dr. Jodi Creasap Gee
Viticulture Extension Educator,
Lake Erie Regional Grape Program

No Coffee Pot Meeting This week

June 7, 2023

LERGP Coffee Pot Meeting #6

June 14, 2023
Westfield, NY

LERGP Coffee Pot Meeting #7

June 21, 2023
Ransomville, NY

July 19th Coffee Pot Meeting CANCELLED

Please accept our apologies as we found this meeting in direct conflict with other unavoidable events.

NYWGF presents Introduction to New York Wine

Welcome to New York! Introduction to New York Wines
Building on the success of the newly updated New York Wine Reference Guide, NYWGF is pleased to bring comprehensive, expertly delivered New York wine education to your team each week from April 25th through June 20th, 2023. We welcome you to join wine writer and educator Dan Belmont as he leads this nine (9) part series - completely free for NYWGF Winery and Grower Members.
From our first 90-minute 'deep dive' into the wines of New York, to the subsequent 60- minute sessions on our major varietals and wine regions, this educational opportunity will be unlike any other and extremely valuable to winery and vineyard leaders, tasting room and marketing staff, as well as to trade, media, and consumers who are champions of New York wine. Tasting components are part of each session - with recommended wines for each session to be announced in advance of the seminar date.
IN THIS SESSION:
We agree with Eric Asimov who noted in the New York Times that "New York is the third largest wine- producing state in the country, after California and Washington. Yet it doesn't get nearly the respect it deserves." Fortunately, much has changed in the last few years and information about New York wines is being sought out by all levels of consumer, trade, and media. This session will empower you with knowledge and introduce you to the major regions, grapes, and styles of New York State wine, and provide an overview of statewide geography, geology, climate & history. Participants will gain conversational-level broad knowledge of New York State wine and leave excited about the upward trends in both quality winemaking and viticulture in New York State.
TASTING:
Arrowhead Spring Chardonnay 2021 (Niagara)
Boundary Breaks Dry Riesling 2021 (Finger Lakes)
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Gew?rztraminer 2017 (Lake Erie)
Benmarl Winery Estate Cabernet Franc 2018 (Hudson Valley)
Macari Merlot 2019 (Long Island)
Vesco Ridge Diamond (Champlain Valley)
Meadowdale Winery Blue Jay Dechaunac (Upper Hudson)
Please Note: Suggested wines for tastings must be purchased separately and are not included with registration.
Tomorrow! Tue, April 25, 2023 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
Click Here to Register
Sessions are free for all NYWGF Members. Attendees must register for the full series and will be provided with seminar recordings if unable to attend live.
About our Host: Dan Belmont
Dan BelmontDan is a London-based certified American Wine Expert and holds a Level-3 certification in Wines & Spirits from the WSET. He led the education departments of NYC's famed Murray's Cheese, the largest artisan cheese retailer in the US, and Bedales of Borough, a trio of wine bars based in London's historic markets. Dan is the Wine Ambassador for Liebherr UK and proudly supports the New York Wine & Grape Foundation along with a variety of international trade associations and producers as a presenter, educator & judge. In 2022 he authored the latest edition of the New York State Wine Reference Guide. Dan operates in constant awe of the good people who dedicate themselves to the odyssey that is producing good wine. It is in that spirit that he created Good Wine Good People - a unique e-commerce wine retail platform serving the UK market.

Straight Talk: Is H-2A Working Out in the Vineyard

https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/grapes/how-h-2a-is-working-out-in-the-vineyard/

2023 LERGP Coffee Pot Schedule

2023 LERGP Coffee Pot Meeting Schedule

May 3, 2023 10:00am Double A Vineyards
10317 Christy Rd. Fredonia NY 14063

May 10, 2023 10:00am Niagara Landing Wine Cellars
4434 Van Dusen Rd. Lockport NY 14094

May 17, 2023 10:00am John Schultz & Sons
9510 Sidehill Rd. North East PA 16428

May 24, 2023 10:00am Brian Chess Farm
10289 West Main Rd. Ripley NY 14775

May 31, 2023 10:00am Sprague Farms
12435 Versailles Rd. Irving NY 14081

June 7, 2023 10:00am NO COFFEE POT MEETING

June 14, 2023 10:00am Betts' Farm
7365 East Route 20 Westfield, NY 14787

June 21, 2023 10:00am Paul Bencal Farm
2645 Albright Rd. Ransomville NY 14131

June 28, 2023 10:00am Gary Young Farm
8401 Gulf Rd. North East PA 16428

July 5, 2023 10:00am NO COFFEE POT MEETING

July 12, 2023 10:00am Zach & Alicia Schneider Farm
771 Bradley Rd. Silver Creek NY 14136

July 19, 2023 10:00am Schultze Winery
2090 Coomer Rd. Burt NY 14028

July 26, 2023 10:00am Westfield Ag & Turf
7521 Prospect Rd. Westfield NY 14787

Spotted Lanternfly Public Service Announcement

Please take a look at this PSA on YouTube.  It is narrated by our very own Jennifer Phillips Russo.

LERGP Podcasts- check them out!

LERGP POD CASTS