Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/1019591
September 2018 WINES&VINES 61 WINE EAST GRAPEGROWING 2003, the vines are spaced 8 by 5 (8 feet be- tween rows and 5 feet between plants) and trellised with vertical shoot positioning (VSP), allowing four 2½-foot-long fruiting canes per vine, and usually 10 buds per cane. Martini likes to prune in mid-March, but labor supply and demand usually means that pruning begins in late February. Bud break averages late April to early May, and Martini begins applying a protectant spray when the shoots are about 2 inches in length. Spraying is done with a Gregoire G-8 that has harvester and sprayer heads from Lakeview Vineyard Equipment in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. The machine permits efficient spraying: It can cover 50 acres in six hours. That speed allows Martini to schedule his spray timing. "Timing in sprays is more critical because of the dis- ease pressure we have here," he said, and then explained that there is a limited lifespan for protectant sprays that has to be closely watched. These sprays, consisting of elemen- tal sulfur, work to limit diseases such as pow- dery and downy mildew, Phomopsis and black rot that can affect the vineyard throughout the growing season. Martini hopes to limit spraying to eight applica- tions but said the average is 10 sprays, and in 2017 he needed 12 sprays. This does not include spray- ing for botrytis, which can be a problem with Pinot Gris. However, if the conditions warrant it, this cultivar can produce a botrytized dessert wine, which Anthony Road has made in the past. Regarding the trellising, Martini is adamant about "exact shoot positioning" of Pinot Gris, KEY POINTS Pinot Gris can be a difficult grape to grow in the Finger Lakes region of New York because of the risks of winter damage and downy and powdery mildew. Three growers in the Finger Lakes have found success with the variety through careful canopy management and regular spray programs. Hilling up vines before the start of winter has proved particularly successful for one grower. WATERLOO CONTAINER Experience Service Expertise OTHER GUYS Don't be Penny Wise and Pound Foolish Choosing a packaging provider can be one of the most important decisions you make when planning and branding your product. Be sure to look past the pennies to the overall value you are getting with your packaging purchases. Look for real people with real experience. Look for quality and availability. Look to Waterloo Container. 888-539-3922 • waterloocontainer.com Weighing Your Packaging Options? Pinot Gris grapes often have different colors, sometimes from the same vine. DAMIANI WINE CELLARS