Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/480754
April 2015 WINES&VINES 83 WINE EAST GRAPEGROWING common north-by-northeast winds brought in very cold weather, sidestepping the moderation of Seneca Lake and causing Hazlitt greater winter damage than usual. Hazlitt currently has 40 acres of vinifera planted, including 4-5 acres of Cabernet Franc on two sites: one with Lansing glacial till soil, and the other with Appleton silt loam and How- ard gravel. Hazlitt first planted Cabernet Franc in 1997, using Clone 1 grafted to SO4 rootstock for the Appleton silt loam. That combination proved to be too vigorous, and the fruit was not used in the varietal wine. Santos identified the deficiencies as too much MP green charac- ter, large berries and poor color. In the past four years, Santos has implemented "a very limited control of weeds underneath the trellis" to lessen vine vigor. This has brought pruning weights down, with the aim of achieving a balance of 5 pounds of fruit per pound of cut- tings. Fruit quality has improved, and some of this block is now being used in Hazlitt's varietal Cabernet Franc. Additional plantings in 2003 included Clones 312 and 214 on 3309C rootstock, and (in 2005) Clone 327 on 101-14 rootstock. This last combination has become the favorite, "as far as vigor and the resulting fruit quality," Santos said. He expects to replant a plot previ- ously affected by leafroll virus with both Ries- ling and some Cabernet Franc, but not before two years. During that time cover crops will be implemented, including Sudan grass and rapeseed. When new Cabernet Franc is planted, Santos expects most to be Clone 327, with some additional 214 and 623, and (if available) 678, to form a mix of clones. The vines are on a 9-foot by 7-foot spac- ing, using the Scott Henry system, with 9-foot posts extending 80 inches above ground. Summer hedging is 90 inches above ground. The vines are pruned to quadrilat- eral cordons, and Santos utilizes mechanical pre-pruning, which cuts the VSP portion of The Brand Most Trusted By Home Winemakers Is Now There For Wineries and now "The solution lifted stains immediately … It performed exceptionally well." Daniel Pambianchi WineMaker Magazine Technical Editor, Author, Winery Owner "Cleaning Agent Performance Study" December 22, 2013 Maker of For All Your Professional Needs. ecologiccleansers.com 608-658-2866 | info@ecologiccleansers.com Like us on John Santos manages the vineyards at Hazlitt 1852. Vance_Jan11.qxp 11/23/10 9:29 AM Page 1