Wines & Vines

Collector's Edition WINES&VINES 131 dry weather prevailed. Almost all areas of the state experienced pe- riods of drought. Japanese beetles were an eight-week management problem but were controlled. A follow-up vineyard virus survey in 2018 showed that some Norton, Chambourcin and Crimson Caber- net vineyards have a high percent- age of vines infected with grapevine red-blotch virus (GRBV). In some vineyards, more than 75% of the vines have GRBV. However, at this time it is difficult to say what impact GRBV is having on these cultivars. Norton and Chambourcin vineyards infected with GRBV show none of the classical GRBV symptoms. Only Crimson Cabernet, which is ap- proximately 62.5% Vitis vinifera, shows classic GRBV symptoms. Many areas in Missouri have been experiencing intermittent drought the past three years. This has re- sulted in surface water ponds used for irrigation becoming low or in some cases drying up completely. Missouri would benefit from fall rains or winter snowfall to replace much-needed subsoil moisture. NEBRASKA Paul E. Read Professor of viticulture University of Nebraska Viticulture Program Although there were some ex- tremes, the overall harvest was good to slightly better than average. Grape quality was excellent overall, except where hail or disease im- pacted individual vineyards. Yields were down in a few instances, but mostly average or above average in most parts of the state. Overall vin- tage rating would be characterized as very good to excellent — some outstanding wines were made. Harvest in Nebraska begins in early August and continues into late September or early October. That said, part of the early harvest season was beset by unusually cool, wet weather that was re- placed by seasonably warm and clear skies and only moderate rain- fall later in the harvest season. One vineyard was hit by hail part way through the harvest period, with around 30 acres of production lost. Overall there was less disease and herbicide-drift pressure than in the past two years. There was some downy mildew, along with sporadic black rot, in May. Most common diseases were managed well with appropriate spray programs. Iso- lated Japanese beetle infestations caused modest to severe damage and crop reduction. The biggest challenges include labor shortages. There have been additional machine harvesters added in 2017 and 2018. There's also a high demand for red grapes, exceeding supply, but some over- production of white wine grapes. NEW MEXICO Gill Giese Extension viticulture specialist New Mexico State University New Mexico's 2018 wine-grape harvest was slightly above aver- age, and quality was above aver- age to excellent. However, wide variation in quantity is typical, due to the state's range of mesocli- mates and eight to 10 climatic zones. Some yield reductions were due to frost, difficulty with replants, and intermittent hail and untimely rains at harvest of red varieties. The season was about two weeks early across all regions, following an unusually dry winter and hot, dry spring and early summer. However, there were reports of late April frosts, with varying degrees of dam- age. Excessive heat in May through July accelerated harvest timing with VINTAGE 2018 Plants You Can Trust - ENTAV Lic e ns e e - 2010 Pro to c o l Mate rial Available - Pro prie tary S e le c tio ns - S tric t Mate rial Te s ting Pro to c o l - Po tte d And Bare -Ro o te d Vine s - Ro o ting s , Ownro o te d And Grafte d Vine s - Cus to m Grafting www.g uillaume nurs e rie s .c o m 21208 CA-113, Knig hts Landing , CA 95645 Offic e :(530)-735-6821 – S ale s (530)-379-5007 YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP SINCE 1983! CONTACT US TODAY! 575 ird St. Bldg. A Napa CA 94559 707-255-6372 | napafermentation@aol.com www.napafermentation.com ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Many areas in Missouri have been experiencing intermittent drought the past three years. Dean S. Volenberg Viticulture and winery opera- tions extention specialist University of Missouri Grape and Wine Institute

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