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GRAPE GRO WING demand will balance supply in the next few years remains to be seen. "The ques- tion is how in sync will that be." While Virginia is home to a fast- growing wine industry boasting nearly 200 wineries and almost 300 vineyards, Virginia Tech's Dr. Tony Wolf said he believes only one winery has a mechani- cal harvester. "Some of us have talked about cooperative ownership or custom harvesting, but nothing has been done on that here," he said. "We don't have economic models to inform us what size vineyard or what grapes are valued at to justify a harvester." Wolf also reiterated concerns about dealing with rot. "Sure, it's one thing to use the harvester to beat a hurricane with a few days' advance notice—if the grapes are nearly ready to harvest anyway. But if the grower is willing to accept some loss to rot in return for higher wine quality potential of the remaining fruit, she will be forced to go in and sort the fruit at harvest; something the machines don't do a good job with." Merritt, of Walsh vineyard manage- ment, said buying a new harvester is a serious undertaking. "Buying new technology harvesters is very capital University of California extension viticulturist Jim Wolpert says demand could outstrip the supply of available mechanical harvesters. intensive. One should consider that having one harvester is not a robust business plan. Other considerations are the learning curve, equipment transporter requirements and having mechanics that can work on them," he said. "We see this as a highly special- ized business with economies of scale playing a big factor in keeping down costs and quality of service high. Own- ing the harvester is 50% of what is needed to be successful; the other 50% is the hard part." In California's Central Valley, more than 95% of all the region's grapes are harvested by machine, and Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers, ex- pects that number to rise to 99%. When asked if that trend will likely continue through the rest of California, Wolpert is unambiguous, saying, "Yes, no doubt about it." GrapeParts4Less.com Paying Too Much For Picking Rods? Now You Have A Low Cost Source! GrapeParts4Less.com supplies quality American made picking rods, closures, and parts for all major grape harvester brands. Call 559-277-7382 or visit our website. Mastercard or VISA accepted. Se habla Espaňol. GrapeParts4Less.com Your Low Cost Source For Quality Harvester Parts 38 Wines & Vines MARCH 2012 GP4L_W&V_March_2012.indd 1 2/6/12 2:23 PM