Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/437909
January 2015 Wines&Vines 143 oKLAHomA Harry Flynn, Ph.D. Secretary oklahoma Grape Growers Association grape quality in oklahoma was about average; however, the damage from a cold win- ter, dry spring and high pest pressure resulted in a small crop of vinifera varieties in the northern part of the state. Cabernet sauvignon and Zin- fandel yields were down sig- nificantly from prior years. Weather: it was a tough year for oklahoma; the polar vortex brought unusually cold weather, resulting in reduced buds and extensive damage to less cold-hardy varieties. har- vest weather was reasonable. Pests/diseases: pest pres- sure in 2014 was probably as bad as it has ever been in re- cent years, with culprits in- cluding green beetles, deer, raccoons and birds. Varieties: Best varieties were those most suited to sur- vive the colder winter: Con- cord, Norton. significant losses of varieties such as Zinfandel. TexAS ed Hellman Viticulture extension specialist AgriLife Research & extension Center Despite a spring frost event that reduced yields on some early bud break varieties, over- all grape production was likely above record levels. New acreage planted in past few years contributed to the higher production. the growing sea- son started late and never caught up. it was further de- layed on the high plains by two weeks of rain and over- cast skies in september. har- vest was later than ever, and fruit quality was very high. Weather: a late spring frost event in West texas reduced the crop of early bud break va- rieties. Fruit development was later than usual, delayed further on the high plains by two weeks of rain in september. suPPly/demand: grape prices remained similar to the past few years, slightly higher on a few varieties. teChnology/teCh- niques: Wind machines were used successfully for the first time to combat frost events on the texas high plains in 2014. Varieties: aggressive plant- ing continues, especially on the texas high plains. emphasis is on mediterranean varieties. east mARyLAnD Jack Johnston Maryland Grapevine editor maryland Grape Growers Association 2014 was similar to the previ- ous two years in terms of weather, disease pressure, fruit quality and animal dam- age. the year got off to a frigid start, however, with the cold- est January in 10 years and one of the coldest on record. temperatures dropped into single digits for several days during the latter part of the month. spring was frosty, and precipitation was consistently high, with near-zero tempera- tures in early march, resulting in lots of primary shoot dam- age and record-breaking snowfall later in the month. Weather: april was rainy throughout, and some areas experienced light snow mid- month. Lots of rain in may and more in June, with above-av- erage temperatures at the out- set but dropping later in the month and continuing through July and august. tempera- tures dropped again in sep- tember, and rainfall was one of the lowest on record. Pests/diseases: Fruit rip- ened well early in the season, with a little downy and pow- dery mildew making their usual appearance by this time (although not as bad as in past years). the Japanese beetle population was heavy, requir- ing multiple sprays in some areas. Birds were active where no netting had been provided, and bees did a job on the fruit. Deer nibbled the outer rows, but damage was minimal. suPPly/demand: Crop load was significantly lighter than normal due to the harsh winter. Fruit quality was good for the most part, although sugars vintage 2014 TTB LABEL APPROVALS Low per-label costs Gov't. Liaison Negotiations or Footwork Reasonable Hourly Rates TRADEMARK SEARCHES As Low as $185 Your trade names or designs are searched at the U.S. Patent Office to help establish valuable ownership or avoid costly legal liability. Over 100 years' total staff experience handling every government liaison need for industry. Phone or write for details. 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 321 Arlington, Virginia 22203 Phone: (703) 524-8200 Fax: 525-8451 TOLL-FREE 1-800-642-6564 Major Credit Cards Accepted www.trademarkinfo.com Since 1957 GovtLiaison_Dir08 11/29/07 2:00 PM Pag Hand harvesting for Pedernales Cellars in the Texas Hill Country. This report and similar harvest reports for the 2013 and 2012 vintages can be found in the digital editions of Wines & Vines available at winesandvines.com/digitaledition.