Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/619725
January 2016 WINES&VINES 93 VINTAGE 2015 MARYLAND Jack Johnston Maryland Grape Growers Association 2015 was the second severely cold winter in a row, with record low temperatures resulting in wide- spread damage to primary buds in local vineyards. Snowfall was heavy at times and lasted through March. Hybrid varieties such as Chancellor fared best, as did the hardier vinifera such as Cabernet Franc. The growing season got off to a slow start due to frequent rains and low temperatures, but vines generally matured well with good sugars and low pH levels. Yields were variable throughout the state, mostly on the on the low side, which usually results in higher prices, and harvest began earlier than usual. Warm tempera- tures were maintained through July and August. Disease pressures were low to moderate throughout the season, with powdery and downy mildew conspicuously absent for a change. Late-season rots were observed in some areas. Bird damage was heavy in un-netted vines (and even in many of the net- ted ones), and bee and Japanese beetle damage was extensive. Deer damage was mild at first but increased later in the season. Weeds were aggressive this year, demanding constant attention. NEW YORK — FINGER LAKES Hans Walter-Peterson Viticulture extension specialist Cornell Cooperative Extension Yields were low in vinifera varieties this year thanks to bud and trunk injury from a second cold winter and rain during bloom. Natives and hybrids were affected much less overall, having closer to normal crops. For a third year in a row, late August and September weather came to the rescue after a wet summer. Dry, warm conditions during the first half of harvest pushed ripening seven to 10 days ahead of average in many cases. The quality of grapes harvested earlier is excellent. Rain returned in October, bringing more disease pressure and made sorting more important to have quality fruit. De- spite the challenges, quality is good to excellent overall. The second cold winter in a row was hard on vines. Warm May led to early bud break this year. June had twice as much rain as normal, leading to reduced set in some va- rieties. We dried out from véraison through the end of September, creating almost perfect harvest conditions. Normal rains returned in October, emphasizing the im- portance of season-long disease management all the way to har- vest. Heat accumulation was just over the 40-year average. EAST Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards uses a mechanical harvester to pick and sort fruit. How would you characterize the average quality of the 2015 harvest based on the grapes you grew, purchased or received? GRAPE QUALITY Excellent Normal Poor Good How would you describe the average yields of the 2015 harvest based on the grapes you grew, purchased or received? GRAPE YIELD Above average Record crop Somewhat reduced Little to no crop Average EAST EAST