Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/80303
WineEast farm outside Mount Joy, Pa., for anyone interested in learning more about the advantages of Haygrove Tunnels, otherwise known as "hoop houses." The Cramers are second- and third-generation farmers who grow fresh and dried flowers in Lan- caster County, Pa., and now also sell the three-season tunnels. Like the strawberry farmers who first developed the tunnels in England, the Cramers first became interested in the tunnel project to improve their crop quality and extend the growing season so that their agricultural commod- ity could be on the market first during the early season and last toward the end, when the prices are at the highest. The Cramers initially planted grapevines under a high tunnel in 2010. The vines have completely filled the trellis, and the family expects to have a full crop of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot this harvest. The reasons for using tunnels for winegrapes are somewhat different than for other crops. Tunnels allow growers to control and manipulate the environment for growing grapes to improve the quality "In the east we seem to be having ...three more weeks of frost season, and tunnels can offer some frost protection." VITICULTURIST MARK C HIEN, PENN S TATE COOPERATIVE E XTENSION vegetative growth cycle to a fruit-ripening cycle based on the lack of moisture avail- able to the plants. East of the Rockies the rainfall levels may or may not stop at the appropriate time. Mark Chien, state viticulturist at Penn State Cooperative Extension and Wine East contributor, spoke about the problems of growing grapes and the potential advan- tages that tunnels can offer. "We lose more fruit and wine production to frost than to diseases and insects," Chien noted. "Whether you believe in climate change or not, in the east we seem to be having both an earlier and warmer start to the growing season, and therefore earlier bud break. For us, this means we have three more weeks of frost season, and tunnels can offer some frost protection." TitanRack_Nov09.qxd 9/29/09 10:50 AM Page 1 of high-end varieties on a consistent basis by offering protection from late spring and early fall frosts and by allowing grow- ers to regulate the amount of water that the vines receive. In California and other dry climates, grapevines switch from a One type of tunnel, known as a "high tunnel" has been designed for crops such as grapes, which typically utilize a trel- lis system. A high tunnel is basically a three-season greenhouse constructed of metal hoops and plastic. Metal posts are driven about two feet into the ground; then A DIVISION OF TITAN TUBE FABRICATORS, INC. TITAN-RACK Double Bar Two Barrel Rack Four Barrel Rack Double Bar Portable Steel Barrel Racks From St. Louis • Move more Barrels, cut handling time • Utilize air space, save floor space • Prevent product damage • Powder coat paint SAVES MONEYin Freight • Central Location Over 30 years of experience in solving material handling needs 5739 NATURAL BRIDGE AVE. ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63120-1696 TELEPHONE (314) 381-2828 FAX (314) 381-5908 1-888-WE-R-RACKS (1-888-937-7225) www.titanrack.com email: komoran@titanrack.com Your Source For Quality Products including: fresh grapes, juice and bulk wine 101 Reserve Road * Hartford, CT 06114 * 877-812-1137 * Sales@JuiceGrape.com WINES & VINES SEPTEMBER 2012 79 Half Rack Why Pay Freight From California? Let Our Central Location, ST. LOUIS, Save You BIG Money When You Require A Consistent Supply Removable Center Rack GRAPE SOURCING: WINERY SUPPLY: TRANSPORTATION: By variety, appellation or specification All equipment and supplies for all phases of winemaking Logistical network operating daily from coast to coast