Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/62409
VINT A GE 2011 Logistics: Pruning in winter will be difficult up north. Deep ruts will hinder work. Varieties: The Ohio Department of Agriculture Vine Grants pro- gram is experiencing much success. Swensen varietals are going into cold-climate areas. donniella Winchell Executive director, Ohio Wine Producers Association oklAHomA Oklahoma's notoriously variable weather turned especially extreme this year, devastating vineyards and yields. Dr. Eric Stafne, viticulture specialist at Oklahoma State University, reported that the overall crop was poor in most of the state. In the northern half of Oklahoma, virtually all varieties were affected by the winter cold damage and excess heat. Central Oklahoma recorded more than 60 days of 100°F-plus tempera- tures and drought. Weather: Harvest was earlier than usual due to the hot weather. Temperatures started to break around the first half of September, so late harvest was pleasant with few rain delays. Pests/Diseases: Green June beetle infestations were less than normal, but bird depredation was extreme due to lack of avail- able forage. Demand/Supply: Due to weather events, Oklahoma suffered significant vine loss, and the subsequent harvest was 40% that of 2010. Varieties: Chardonnay and Merlot were hit especially hard. Fron- tenac had little winter damage, but it did not respond well to the heat and suffered some loss of crop. Harry Flynn, Ph.d. Secretary, Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association TexAS Growing season weather was the most severe in history, with extended periods of record-high temperatures and most regions under exceptional drought conditions for six months or longer. The combination of high temperatures and drought advanced ripening by about two weeks. Smaller clusters and berries re- duced statewide yields by perhaps 50% but produced excellent fruit quality with no disease. Weather: Portions of the Texoma AVA received a little more rain but still endured serious drought and record heat. Pests/Diseases: Diseases were almost nonexistent and insect problems rare. Bird depredation increased in some areas due to lack of alternative food sources. Supply/Demand: Grape prices remain strong and demand is stable. Statewide yields were down an estimated 50%. Technology/Techniques: Water management has improved through widespread use of soil-moisture sensors. Rainwater collection increased. Logistics: Localized water shortages occurred in both wells and surface water. Varieties: Notably high quality for reds: Sangiovese, Mourve- dre, Montepulciano, Dolcetto and Tempranillo, and whites: Muscat, Viognier, Vermentino, Roussanne and Blanc du Bois. edward Hellman Professor and viticulture extension specialist Texas AgriLife Extension 128 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2012 Hurricanes Irene and lee created heavy disease pressure in eastern states and led to Botrytis infections in several vineyards. mARylAnd Crop quality was variable due largely to adverse weather con- ditions in late summer and early fall. Berry splitting and shrivel- ing, fungus problems and late-season rots reduced crop sizes; sugar and pH levels dropped, and veg- etal flavors were pronounced in some varieties. The best East fruit seemed to come from open canopies with minimal second- ary shoots, along with good soil drainage. August weather started normally, but back-to-back hurricanes Irene and Lee produced the wettest month on record. Strong winds resulted in broken shoots, loosened posts, dislodged nets and damaged fruit. Pest and disease pressure: Some downy mildew here and there and a little powdery mildew; lots of Botrytis and other rots. The heaviest bird damage in years started late but quickly made up for lost time. Bee activity was also heavy, especially for white va- rieties, but reports of stinkbugs were mixed and Japanese beetles were conspicuously absent. HANS WALTER-PETERSON