Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/668668
34 MAY 1, 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com hypertension, and for upper-respiratory infections, said Krystal Lum, SOS volunteer coordinator. The clinic also handles blood draws every Thursday morning, provides women's health services, connects patients to additional care they may require, such as chiropractic care, and assists with paperwork to help get outside services at discount that the clinic can't provide, such as X-rays. SOS serves a vital need in the community, not just for migrant workers who may need care just one day while in the region, but for others who otherwise might spend thousands of dollars on non-emergent care during a hos- pital emergency room visit. And in addition to the money that will be raised by Vital Wines, Trout and her label also have helped to spread the word about the clinic, Lum said. "It's allowed us to help push our capacity, and also get different programs going for some of the workers," she said. "Hopefully, we'll continue growing, as long as there's need." Three wines to better health F or wineries close to urban centers, fundraising for causes can be a simple thing. Advertise a wine auction, and people come to support the cause. In rural areas, fundraising is decidedly more diffi cult. Ashley Trout, winemaker for Vital Wines in rural Walla Walla, Washington, aims to produce up to 500 cases each year — a rosé and two red wines, The Given and The Gifted — in support of SOS Health Services, a free health clinic for those in need. The label's Sangiovese rosé from Seven Hills Vineyard was released in April. The red wines may vary from year to year, depending on which vineyards are able to donate grapes and want to participate, Trout said. Everything involved in the production of the wines has been donated from fruit to bottle, including corks, capsules, labels and design work. Trout recognizes the effort and expense required of vineyards and small compa- nies to donate products and services to such a cause. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support for a worthwhile cause. "This clinic is free, and it's here," she said. "It's such a great way to wake up every morning, to have people wanting to give to a cause that I thought I was the only one who was passionate about. I am overwhelmed with how many people are on board." —S. Dininny courtesy of Ashley trout The fi rst release from Vital Wines, a rosé, became available in April. Two red wines are expected to be released later this year. Frost control has become very important to us. In the last 9 years, we have had 5 frost events that have significantly damaged our production. We decided to do something to help mitigate this so our production would be consistent. That's where Orchard-Rite ® wind machines have come into play for us. In mid April of 2014, we reached 24 degrees outside the vineyard, yet we were able to save 100% of the fruit under the machines. Outside of the coverage area, we lost almost all of the fruit. At harvest, we picked over 6 tons per acre in the protected area and less than 1 ton per acre in any unprotected vines. The wind machines also reduced my vine damage. I put the wind machines on 10 year old vines and experienced minimal damage, but any unprotected 1 year old vines were completely decimated by the cold temperatures. In the future, when I set out a new planting, I will install Orchard-Rite ® wind machines to provide protection for the following Spring. Damaging young plants is a huge expense not only in lost production but in extra management costs to replant and retrain damaged vines. I believe that the wind machines will help our Texas wine industry grow consistent crops that our wine makers can depend on to produce superior wines and to reliably supply our markets. "The grape vines under my wind machines yielded 6 tons per acre while my unprotected areas had less than 1 ton per acre." -- Andy Timmons Lost Draw Vineyard Lubbock, TX, USA