Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/437909
January 2015 Wines&Vines 141 splitting at harvest increased bunch rots. insect pressure was normal. suPPly/demand: With iowa yields being 60%-70% of normal, and lower yields seen in south Dakota, minnesota and illinois, competi- tion for grapes pushed prices up about $200 per ton. (average was $1,200 per ton.) teChnology/teChniques: iowa now has eight mechanical grape harvesters, and more vineyards are installing cold storage to help with harvest logistics. Challenges: Field labor is always short. tank space was ok. too much rain. Varieties: spotted wing drosophila caused some sour rot problems in late-hanging grapes. Brianna tended to have berry splitting due to high rainfall at harvest. miCHiGAn old mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula erwin elsner Small fruit educator michigan State university extension the vast majority of vinifera varieties suffered very badly from extremely cold temperatures in February and march, resulting in less than 30% of a normal crop across the region. even hybrid varieties experienced crop losses, in some cases as much as 50%. Weather: our spring, summer and fall were cooler than normal. rainfall was excessive in september and october. Pests/diseases: Downy mildew was far more common than usual. powdery mildew de- veloped late in the season, likely due to reduced fungicide programs in vineyards. Challenges: many established vineyards produced the lowest crops on record. Varieties: riesling and Chardonnay fared best of the vinifera; pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc were quite variable, gewurztraminer and gruner Veltliner suffered badly. minneSoTA irving Geary President minnesota Grape Growers 2014 proved to be a difficult year for minnesota, stemming from the previous winter's polar vor- vintage 2014 Promote your wines to leading Zinfandel enthusiasts and extend your winery's relationship in the market. Join Us! We are champions of Zinfandel— America's Heritage Wine Become part of our proud legacy zinfandel.org • 530-274-4900 Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. You know how good your Zinfandel is... HoytShepston_Monthly09 10/31/08 4:44