Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705606
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J u l y - A u g 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 1 5 arch temperatures in the eastern states ranged 5-to-7°F above average, decreasing cold hardiness and prematurely ending dormancy in some areas. When a vine awakens from its winter nap, the cellular cryopro- tectants that sheltered it from freezing temperatures dissolve, and it gradually rehydrates. As water content increases, so does susceptibility to cold damage, par- ticularly for swollen buds and new shoots. So an early awakening sets up a long, tense wait for the probability of freezing temperatures to lessen. By the beginning of April, Chardonnay in the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agri- c u l t u r a l R e s e a r c h a n d Extension Center (AREC) vineyard in Winchester, Va., ranged from bud swell to 3-inch shoots. Those at the Ohio State University (OSU) vineyard in Wooster, Ohio, had intermittent bud swell; and those at the Pennsylvania State Uni- versity vineyard near State College, Pa., remained dormant. Unfortunately, on April 6 and April 10, two separate cold fronts passed through the region, bringing nighttime lows in the high teens and low 20s and pushing the decreased cold hardiness of tender buds and green tissue. OSU Associate Professor Dr. Imed Dami reported the lowest temperature experienced at the OSU vineyard during this cold weather period was 21°F. Compared to the estimate of Chardonnay hardiness at 17°F just prior to the cold temperatures, this indicates Ohio experi- enced little or no damage. "We didn't see any damage in any of the varieties that all had [subsequent] normal bud break and shoot growth," says Dami. Parts of Virginia weren't so fortunate. Tony Wolf, viti- culture extension specialist at AREC, summarized the freeze event best in the April 29, 2016, Viticulture Notes newsletter: "While the degree of vine injury varied con- siderably by variety and vineyard location, and recogniz- ing that it will take some time yet to fully assess the impact, my sense is that Virginia lost as much as 25% of its potential grape crop, and much of this reduction will be borne by Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Merlot." Freeze events tend to leave vineyard managers feeling a bit helpless. A number of Virginia vineyards used helicopters, wind machines, sprays and vineyard heaters or fires to com- bat the cold, but, so far, no one reports definitive s u c c e s s . T h e s e q u i c k fixes can be expensive, inconsistent or ineffec- tive, and most are helpful only if the actual low tem- perature is just below the damage threshold. So far, no Virginia vine- yard reports using irri- g a t i o n , w h i c h m a y b e because it's a commonly misunderstood prevention method. Irrigation water must be applied for the entire duration of freez- ing temperatures because the water releases a small amount of heat during application and freezing. This continuous energy transfer provides protection from damage. When irrigation ceases, so does generation of heat. If irrigation is employed, it must be in good, reli- able working order. A pump failure or irrigation head clog mid-application could cause more injury than just letting nature run its course. Really, the best freeze protection comes from select- ing region-appropriate, late-ripening varieties; planting them on a site selected with freeze-reducing features like cold air drainage, proper elevation and aspect; and possibly using double-pruning to delay bud swell. BY JANICE CESSNA era "CV" logo on top of an arch that appears to mimic the shape of the gate. John says they chose copper rather than gold because it's the "working man's metal." The new packaging is distinctive, attractive and conveys a product worth far more than its $20 sug- gested retail price. Three new Concannon Vineyard wines sport this handsome new look: 2014 Monterey County Char- donnay, 2014 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and 2013 Livermore Val- ley Petite Sirah. All can be found on supermarket shelves nationwide. Concannon isn't alone in a label redesign harkening back to the days of Prohibition. Big House Wines, another Wine Group brand, just announced new packaging that showcases the personalities of the Prohibition era. Most of them did time in prison, ("the big house"), for serving their fellow citizens a banned substance. As we approach the 100th anni- versary of Prohibition, let's take a moment to appreciate the contri- butions of brands like Concannon, which managed to endure despite manmade and natural obstacles. When your ancient motto, in early Gaelic, means "wisdom without compromise," it's hard to do any- thing less. " 1- April Freeze Damage in Mid-Atlantic Region A close-up of Merlot vines damaged by frost in Virginia in May 2013.