In southwest Michigan, most varieties have completed veraison. Harvest is continuing this week on early wine grape varieties being picked for sparkling wine. Some early hybrid varieties such as Marquette will be picked soon for still wine production. Veraison continues in northern vineyards, and most grape varieties are softening and their acid levels are dropping. Horticulture  At this time of …

Contents of the September Issue: That Which was Lost has Been Found Growing Muscadines in Richmond, North Carolina Combating Smoke Exposure WA Wine Scientists Run Critical Studies Sustainability Leadership Awards Recognizing Leaders in Sustainable Growing The American Grapevine Grape Industry News Briefs California Indiana Michigan Minnesota New York North Carolina Washington

Muscadine grapes are widely grown in the southeastern U.S. for wine and for commercial fresh market and pick-your-own sales. Production is increasing and has expanded to other countries, especially production of fresh-market cultivars. Muscadines are resistant to some diseases that affect bunch grapes, such as downy mildew and Botrytis bunch rot, but are susceptible to a number of other diseases, …

Michigan State University Extension – In southwest Michigan, most varieties are in the middle of or have completed veraison. Harvest is beginning this week on early wine grape varieties being picked for sparkling wine. Veraison has begun in northern vineyards, and most grape varieties are softening and their acid levels are dropping. Horticulture At this time of the season, clusters …

The spotted lanternfly – an invasive, destructive pest with a wide range of hosts including grapes, apples, hops, maple and walnut – has spread to a growing number of counties in New York state. The first major infestation in the state was detected in Staten Island in August 2020, and the insect appears to have established itself there. Two months …

University of Minnesota Extension — Wasps seem to be a buzz-word among grape growers this week, between the viticulture Facebook groups and recent emailed questions. Wasps are not only a nuisance and safety hazard during harvest. They also feed on ripe fruit, leading to bunch rots and unusable clusters. Once berries are spilling juice, they attract fruit flies and sour …

Purdue University — We were all hoping it would happen later, but unfortunately the spotted lanternfly (SLF) (Lycorma delicatula) (Figure 1), an invasive planthopper with a piercing-sucking feeding strategy, was officially detected in Vevay, Indiana (Switzerland County) for the first time in July 2021. You can see pictures and read more about the detection at the Indiana Department of Natural …

Michigan State University Extension — Veraison season is here. Third generation of grape berry moth is predicted to be starting in southern Michigan.   Weather Last week started cool and dry with high temperatures in the mid-70s statewide. Temperatures climbed through the week, topping out in the upper 80s in southwest Michigan, mid-80s in the rest of the state. Higher humidity returned …

Contents of the August Issue: When Smoke Gets in Your Wine New Smoke Taint Report Offers Guidance RBA Receiving Services More Options This Raisin Harvest Comparing Bird Management Tactics Dry Year Will Likely Draw More Birds to Vineyards The American Grapevine Grape Industry News Briefs California North Carolina Washington

With veraison upon us, it is time to start planning your spotted wing drosophila (SWD) management to help suppress sour rot in your vulnerable grapes. The SWD flies are active nearly year round in these parts, but near veraison as the brix levels in wine grapes reach approximately 15 degrees Brix, the grapes become attractive (and thus susceptible) to SWD. While infestation of wine grapes by SWD …