Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/766392
128 WINES&VINES January 2017 VINTAGE 2016 How would you describe the average yields of the 2016 harvest based on the grapes you grew, purchased or received? GRAPE YIELD Record crop Above average Somewhat reduced Little to no crop CENTRAL GRAPE QUALITY How would you characterize the average quality of the 2016 harvest based on the grapes you grew, purchased or received? Good CENTRAL Degree-day accumulations were well above normal, leading to early véraison and rapid fruit maturation until conditions changed in late September. No fall frosts occurred before the completion of harvest. During the early and middle por- tions of the growing season fungal disease pressure appeared to be very light. The late-season explo- sion of powdery mildew showed we had some early development of powdery mildew that was not well detected. Birds and wasps were very bad problems during harvest. Even though we had high yields, the prices were not significantly affected due to the great demand for fruit following the bad crop losses in 2014-15. Some wineries did experience a shortage of tank space due to the heavy crops in many vineyards. Early ripening was actually a big problem, as it was still warm enough for very high levels of wasp and bee activity during har- vest—presenting both worker haz- ard and injuries to the fruit. It looked like a wonderful year for Pinot Noir fruit quality until the rainy weather at the end of September led to cluster rots. It will still be a good vintage for this variety, we were just hoping for even better. OHIO David Scurlock Viticulture outreach specialist The Ohio State University/ OARDC The 2016 grape harvest will be a vintage-type year. Both yield and quality were above average with excellent sugars balanced with moderate to low acids. The 2015- 16 winter was extraordinarily kind with only one day below 0° F near Valentine's Day. Spring 2016 was slightly below the long-term weather average in precipitation, temperature and growing degree- days through June. July through Grapes are harvested for ice wine at Ohio's Ferrante Winery. Excellent Normal Average If yields were reduced, which of the following had the most effect? YIELD REDUCTION REASON Weather Vine disease CENTRAL