Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/72545
VINEYARD EAST COAST WATCH SHORT COURSE High-elevation viticulture is relatively new in the East. Challenges of high-elevation grapegrowing include winter kill, frost damage, chal- lenging terrain and erratic weather. Rewards include grapes with high phenolic and anthocyanin levels. Wines labeled as produced from high-elevation sites may increase marketability. Donald Hess purchased the proper- ty, but the vineyard's history dates to 1831, when its first vines were planted by the Spanish governor. If any vintner knows about grow- ing grapes in the stratosphere, it's Randle Johnson, director of winemaking at Colomé. Johnson uses the word "amplification" to describe one of the key viticultural concepts of high-elevation viticul- ture. Altitude, he explained, ampli- fies certain conditions that are not only more intense than at sea level, but that may also vary from site to site. Some sites, for example, have higher rainfall, others stronger winds, and still others more expo- sure to frost and hail. Adding to the challenge, high- altitude sites rarely share uniform soil types or exposures, which results in diverse vineyards with varying maturation rates. This lack of uniformity requires smaller blocks, smaller harvest units, and multiple harvests at the same site. Those with high-elevation vine- yards in the East should heed John- son's advice: Take the time to do New it right the first time, and utilize all international resources thoroughly. BABY STEPS IN THE EAST Compared to established winer- ies in the Alps and Argentina, vine- yard development in the eastern United States is in its infancy. One of the oldest and most esteemed mountain estates in the East is Lin- den Vineyards in Virginia's Fauquier County. Linden was established in 1983, when Jim Law purchased an abandoned hardscrabble farm at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 feet, with primarily east- and south-facing slopes. "I chose the site primarily for its cool-climate ripening, as I like wines with high acid and fresh- ness," Law explained. Among the other advantages of this site, he lists the diversity of soil and slope aspects, which offer a broad range of planting and varietal options. Other positives include steep Actual recordings of deer snorts & fawn bleats.Tested by the Univ of Nebraska. New from Bird Gard. Electronic deer control in orchards, small fruit, &vineyards. Includes built in motion sensor so it's only activated when deer are present. Each unit protects up to1.5 acres. Special introductory price: $199 JWB Marketing (800)555-9634 DeerShieldPRO.com WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM JULY - AUG 2012 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT 33