Grape berry moth (GBM) is a native North American pest that can reduce fruit quality both directly and indirectly. The immature or larval stage of the pest tunnels into fruit reducing fruit quality. The entry holes (“stings”) of the larve compromise the integrity of the berries and provide an entry point for assorted fruit rots including sour rot (Figure 1). …

Michigan State University Extension — In southwest Michigan, buds started swelling in the second half of April. Bud break in juice grapes and hybrid wine cultivars occurred around the first of May. With the cool start to May, development was slow, but last week’s heat rapidly moved it along. Juice grapes and early hybrids have up to 10 inches of …

The Ohio State University Viticulture Extension Team in collaboration with the Ohio Grapes Industries Committee is conducting a state-wide survey of grape production and prices to better understand the distribution, harvest yield, and price of Ohio-grown grape cultivars from the 2021 season. This year’s survey includes additional categories for both juice and bulk wine pricing if fruit was sold as …

The Minnesota grape and wine industry is expanding and contributes to over $80M in economic activity, and Minnesota grape growers have expressed a need for more introductory and continuing education for best sustainable viticultural practices. With funding and support from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE), a collaboration between the University of Minnesota’s Extension and the Grape …

It is well known that grapes containing excess potassium can cause problems for wine making. This is especially true in red wines – grape skins are sinks for potassium, and red wines are fermented with their skins. Basically, excessive potassium (K+) in the grape juice or must negatively impacts wine quality by increasing the pH of the must past suitable …

Dr. Simone D. Castellarin, an Associate Professor in the Wine Research Centre at The University of British Columbia in Canada, will be the keynote speaker for the 73rd ASEV National Conference.  His presentation, “Fruit Ripening in Vitis vinifera: The Interplay between Biology and Environment,” will be held in-person on June 21, 2022, at Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, California. Dr. Castellarin …

The Washington wine industry launched the state’s first statewide certified sustainability program for wine grapes, signifying a commitment to quality fruit, environmental stewardship, and healthy communities. Sustainable WA will begin certifying vineyards this summer. “From pest and disease management to sustainable water management, prioritizing worker health and safety and tracking various inputs, this program is environmentally sound, socially equitable, and …

The Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) awarded almost $1 million in research grants for the upcoming year through the statewide grape and wine research program, along with its own grant program. The broad research projects aim to improve wine quality by tackling high priority vineyard and winery issues. The Washington State Wine Commission Board of Directors approved 24 projects totaling …