Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/197145
WineEast Grapegrowing Tool for evaluating eastern U.S. O ne objective of the five-year research and extension project funded by the USDA's Specialty Crops Research Initiative is to develop a web-based geographic information system (GIS) model incorporating climatic, topographic and soils data to assist with site-cultivar evaluation. The team leader for this objective is A web-based geographic information system Peter Sforza of the Center for Geospatial tool is used to evaluate this 20.6-acre site. Information Technology at Virginia Tech. Vineyard site and cultivar decisions are often driven more by emotion and market perception than by researchbased information, and fruit quality and consistency of production often suffer as a consequence. This objective proposed an ambitious synthesis of the cultivar performance data collected in variety evaluations with contemporary climate, topographic and soils data sets into a GIS and decision-support platform. Our The elevataion at this property ranges from goal is to develop the next-generation 697 to 777 feet, according to this map. GIS-assisted viticulture decision aid for Vance_Jan11.qxp 11/23/10 9:29 AM Page 1 many states in the eastern United States. Virginia Tech's Center for Geospatial Information Technology was given the task of developing the eastern U.S. vineyard site-evaluation tool. The website will be functionally very similar to the existing Virginia tool but will include additional data layers such as time to bud break with key varieties for sub-regions of the East, potential for spring frost after bud break and risk of both abiotic threats (e.g., cold injury) and biotic risks (e.g., Pierce's disease). A research prototype of the website is running, and rollout of the first phase of the publicly available website is anticipated in January. The GIS tool uses a web-based interactive map that allows the user to define an "area of interest," which is typically a site currently owned or being evaluated for purchase as a vineyard site. Once defined, the user requests a site report, which provides a detailed assessment of the following characteristics: SpiritedShipper_Dir11.qxp 10/6/10 U.S. Patent Numbers 5,730,289 & 5,967,294 THE ORIGINAL SHIPPER • All our shippers are made with extra cushioning to prevent breakage • UPS & FEDEX approved • For spirited shipments up to 12 bottles • Magnum size shippers up to 6 bottles • Fits bottles up to 5"diameter to 16"tall • Costs less, more durable than styrofoam • Gift Boxes • Gift Bags • Wooden Gift Boxes 100% ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – GO GREEN! spiritedshipper.com 800-730-SHIP (7447) 108 W in e s & V i ne s NOV E M b e r 20 13 10:52