Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/138003
EAST COAST WATCH MARGUERITE THOMAS new AVA did not immediately carry neighboring vintners in its wake. why it sometimes takes a single determined voice to reach this particular goal. "The reason I took the initiative on my own was that at the time I introduced the idea, other wineries did not want to spend the time and effort of commitment," he said. On April 23, 2012, eight years after DeBaker began his quest, the Wisconsin Ledge AVA was officially born. What, exactly, does the AVA mean for DeBaker's Trout Springs Winery in Greenleaf, Wis.? As far as I can see there is no mention of AVA in any of the descriptions of wines on Trout Springs' web- "Bird Gard kept the birds out all the way through harvest and probably paid for themselves the first week they were installed" Jim Bernau, Founder/Winegrower Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner, OR Eddie O'Keefe of Michigan's Chateau Grand Traverse points out that having an AVA designation doesn't guarantee success for the wineries that carry it. "Our winery was basically the only game in town for many years," O'Keefe explained. "We pioneered fine-wine production in northern Michigan by being the first to establish European vinifera grapes commercially and demonstrate that they could be viable here." Having an AVA designation does not in itself guarantee success, he added, especially in a region with few (or no) other quality-oriented neighbors. "But as our AVA has grown, more producers – about eight or 10 now – have adopted our original philosophy and have exclusively planted the best varieties for our area." ON THE LEDGE Steve DeBaker knows about the loneliness of the AVA applicant. It takes time and money (usually about $15,000) to initiate and pursue the process through to approval. DeBaker, who labored mostly on his own to get the Wisconsin Ledge AVA accepted, explained 28 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | July - Aug 2013 We GUARANTEE Bird Gard will keep the birds out of your vineyard or we will refund every cent of your purchase price. Bird Gard uses bird distress calls combined with the sounds of their natural predators to drive the birds out. New random technology continually alters the timing, order and relative pitch of the sounds to prevent habituation. Birds leave and don't come back! Complete bird control starts at less than $120 /acre. ONE TIME COST The World Leader in Electronic Bird Control 888-332-2328 www.BirdGard.com w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m