Veraison to Harvest. Around New York... Statewide Vineyard Crop Development Update #6 October 7, 2016 Edited by Tim Martinson and Chris Gerling

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1 Veraison to Harvest Statewide Vineyard Crop Development Update #6 October 7, 2016 Edited by Tim Martinson and Chris Gerling Around New York... Statewide (Tim Martinson) Following rains last weekend it was another warm week, with daytime temperatures in the 70s. In our fruit composition table (pp 5-10), titratable acidity (TA) dropped by g/l in most remaining varieties, and juice soluble solids went up by modest 0.1 to 0.5 Brix. Exceptions were the two remaining natives, Concord and Catawba, with TAs dropping by 1.8 to 2.6 g/l about 2-4 g/l lower than in Also notable from our three remaining Concord blocks, juice soluble solids were at 17.0, 18.0, and 18.0 Brix which must be something of a record. Soluble solids are Brix lower than last year. TAs are consistently running at least 0.5 g/l below last year s numbers, with higher-acid varieties like Vidal Blanc (-1.8 g/l) and Traminette (-3.4 g/l) running dramatically lower than last year. Of the 23 varieties we started with, only 9 remain unharvested. This week we ran 34 samples, of an original population of 90 samples. Probably only a week or two more before harvest is over. In this issue, I write about manipulating cluster size by early leaf pulling and shoot-tipping (p4), and Cornell s introductory Wines and Vines class visit to Long Island (p.10). Finger Lakes (Hans Walter-Peterson) The Finger Lakes received anywhere from ½ to just over 1 of rain over this past weekend, which was welcomed from a drought standpoint, but not quite so welcome during the midst of harvest with fruit still hanging. Fortunately, most vineyards seem to have weathered the storm (get it?) despite the rain. Riesling and Concord are the predominant varieties being picked this week, along with some of the last blocks of other white varieties like Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon blanc. We harvested three of our Riesling clonal trial plots over the past week, and had to discard very few clusters because of bunch rots. A few wineries have also started to harvest later season reds like Cabernet Franc and Syrah. While it may seem early for these varieties, our samples show that sugars are in the Brix range and acidity is low, so some growers are choos- Rainbow over Sunrise Hill vineyard near Interlaken last Friday. Photo by Tim Martinson ing to go ahead and bring them in. Most other blocks of Cab Franc, though, will likely still be hanging out in the field for another week or two, as long as they remain as clean and healthy as they are right now. Long Island (Alice Wise) After a stretch of cloudy weather, the sun is finally shining on Long Island. There was some nail biting this week as at one point the predictions for Hurricane Matthew had Long Island taking a direct hit. While we definitely do not wish a storm like this for anyone, it was a relief to see that it will veer out to sea and not affect the Northeast. Harvest of white varieties took place in most businesses this week. Across the board Brix are moderate and acids are low. There is much speculation on the reason for moderate Brix as it is curious given the hot, sunny weather this summer. We can only offer best guesses at this point. It is likely a combination of factors and perhaps the reasons are different from farm to farm. The first half of June was much cooler than normal. It was extremely dry through most of the summer, inducing drought stress symptoms in susceptible blocks. In the latter part of August, we had a few untimely rains. In one case, Riverhead, situated at the entrance to the North Fork, received 1 while parts of the North Fork received 3-5. This same scenario played out several times. Growers are also commenting on cluster size, which is larger than usual. We certainly noticed this phenomenon in the Cornell research vineyard. Page 1

2 Finally, after a several month stretch of sun and heat, it turned cloudy for a week or so in September. Perhaps this stalled sugar accumulation slightly. The interesting aspect of this is that flavors are there, fruit is tasting rich, ripe and balanced. Overall, growers are happy to be harvesting and winemakers are happy with fruit quality. Harvest of one of our industry trials took place October 6 (Photo at right). Sponsored by the NY Farm Viability Institute, we are evaluating fescues and fescue mixes for their impact on vine vigor, vine water status, nutrient status, fruit quality and quantity. The interest in under vine cover crops reflects a desire to tame vigorous vines as well as reduce pesticide use. The practices however must be relatively easy to implement and manage, must be affordable and must preserve or enhance fruit quality. There are many other trials evaluating various aspects of under vine covers, notably work by Justine Vanden Heuvel and her grad students and extension colleague Hans Walter-Peterson who is evaluating a mechanical seeding method. Lake Erie (Luke Haggerty) A relatively wet weekend pushed up berry size again this week. During the rest of the week we have had sunny days which are ideal for harvest. Although a bit cooler than recent weeks, with temperatures in the 50s, 60s, and some 70s, no one is complaining. With high sugar levels there have been very few cancellations, average brix levels for area processors are between 16 and 17 brix. Cover crop mix containing daikon radish, annual rye grass, and crimson clover grown in a Concord vineyard at the Portland lab Photo by Luke Haggerty Here at the Portland lab we are scheduled for one load (20 tons) of Concords per week. Last week s load averaged 18 brix and many samples we have taken lately are even higher. The crew has kept busy sampling for their many projects, this week they collected 204 Concord samples and recorded weight and brix. The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) received a grant from the New York Farm Viability Institute to study the effect of cover crops in Concord vineyards. In this project we are measuring how different cover crop mixes affect soil health and vineyard productivity. The objective of this research is to identify cover crop mixes that offer economically and environmentally sustainable solutions to allow growers to improve soil health. Research Harvests: Top: Bill McGrath, Becky Wiseman, Laurie Mickaliger-McBride harvest Alice Wise's cover crop experiment on Long Island. Bottom: Gillian Trimber and Donald Caldwell picking a Riesling clonal trial near Ovid, NY. Photos by Alice Wise (top) and Hans Walter-Peterson (bottom) Hudson Valley and Champlain (Jim O Connell and Anna Wallis) Champlain. Weather last week included near average temperatures, with the exception of several warmerthan-average nights over the weekend. A warming trend through most of this week included with highs in the low 70s, and only cooling off to 50 at night. Rainy conditions have been enough to slow harvest a little, but for the most part have not contributed significant moisture to the soil. Most of the Champlain Valley and Capital Region received less than 0.1 Monday, and just over 0.1 last week. Harvest continues in the region, with the later more acidic varieties. Growers report that acidity and sugars are in acceptable range. Most of the fruit will be off the vines by the end of the week and work will be beginning in the winery. Page 2

3 Hudson Valley. This past weekend and into the start of the week, growers had some to contend with some wet weather. In some instances the weather paused the harvest. Currently, like parts of Oregon, we are warming up for harvest. Unlike there, however, the temperatures here are only reaching mid to high 70s. The harvest continues throughout the Hudson Valley Region and growers continue to see a more condensed picking schedule. The harvest is finished for the midseason French hybrids like DeChaunac, and is at least past the half way mark for natives like Niagara and Concord. One site in the Hudson Valley, harvested Cabernet Franc, with a brix of 23 earlier in the week. This grower is in the lower part of the Hudson Valley and usually has of the earlier Cabernet Franc harvests. The cooler, wetter weather, also paused or even reversed some of the brix development in samples taken this past week. Cabernet Franc and Traminette at the Hudson Valley Research Lab in Highland made modest gains (0.1 Brix and 0.7 Brix respectively). Sugars may rebound with the warmer sunnier weather at the end of the week, only to potentially drop again with Saturday s expected rain. Riesling and Merlot both dropped slightly in Brix values. The drop in Merlot samples is likely too small to make much of a difference in harvest time. Riesling, however, is a different story. Growers who were on the fence about harvesting Riesling will probably wait at least another week, provided the various fruit rots don t take over Lake Erie Concord Update: Terry Bates October 5, Concord fresh berry weight has plateaued and the rate of juice soluble solids accumulation is slowing as we move into October. The slight increase in fresh berry weight can likely be attributed to wet weather over the past weekend. This week has been dominated by sunny and dry conditions so we expect berry weight to hold steady or even dehydrate slightly. Our Concord load from last Friday went into the plant at 18 Brix and the samples this week are above that. The high sugar concentrations and the decrease in day length will continue to slow the rate of juice soluble solids accumulation in the weeks to come. At this point, berry dehydration from long hang time will also be a factor in increasing sugar concentrations. Top: Concord Berry Curve, with 2016 (green) 2015 (red) and 16-year average fresh berry weight. Bottom: Juice Soluble Solids (Brix) accumulation curve. Traminette and Valvin muscat were both harvested on Thursday at the HVRL. The quality on the Valvin was better as the birds and bees focused more of their attention on the Traminette. Cabernet Franc and Riesling are both still hanging at the HVRL and ideally, they would remain that way until Brix levels were more suitable. Bird pressure, weather, and rot will play a large part in how soon these grapes are harvested. Looking ahead at the long range weather forecasts, the weather looks good for the most part. Rain is predicted for Saturday, though it appears to only be a pop-up shower or two. The rest of the week looks dry, with cooler weather returning to the area. Hurricane Matthew is on the minds of many people in the South. Currently, though for most Northerners, there is a lot of uncertainty of its path and potential impact on New York State. Page 3

4 Leaf Removal and Shoot Tipping Change Cluster Compactness Tim Martinson and Alex Koeberle Loomis Riesling Harvest: Sample clusters harvested from different treatments. Top Row from left: Control (no treatment) and Leaf removal (through node 7) at trace-bloom, full bloom, and 1 week post-bloom. Bottom Row from left: Leaf removal in August, and Shoot tip removal at trace-bloom, full bloom, and 1 week post-bloom. Preliminary Data. This past Wednesday we harvested a Riesling trial at the Station where we imposed several leaf-removal and shoot-tipping treatments at different timings. The reason for doing so is that bloom to fruit set is a time when shoot growth competes with fruit development and the vines have a limited amount of leaf area to supply both. By reducing leaf area (through cluster-zone leaf removal), the flower clusters are starved for carbohydrates. Conversely, cutting off shoot tips temporarily reduces demand, and leaves more carbohydrates to be allocated to the developing clusters. The result: Either smaller, looser clusters (leaf removal), or larger, more compact clusters (shoot tipping). This is exactly the effect we have seen over the past two years (See photos and graph at right). Leaf removal (nodes 2-7) at trace bloom or full bloom results in smaller clusters (5-20 fewer berries; shorter rachises), while shoot tipping at full bloom or 1 wk postbloom produced larger clusters (5-10 more berries than standard Control treatment. Still to come: We have rated these for Botrytis, and have measured rachis length and individual cluster weights for all treatments. Practical Impact: Leaf removal at trace bloom may be an effective tool for reducing cluster compactness and associated bunch rots in tight-clustered varieties (Riesling, Pinot noir, Vignoles, Pinot Gris). But only practical if it can be mechanized! (See photos p. 9). Photo by Tim Martinson Cluster weight and Berries per cluster. Compared to the untreated control (left column), cluster-zone leaf removal at trace bloom and full bloom reduced cluster weight (by 20-30%) and shoot-tipping at bloom and 1 wk postbloom increased cluster weight (by 5 to 10%). Leaf removal reduced berries per cluster by 9-20, and shoot tipping at bloom and postbloom resulted in 1-5 additional berries per cluster. Figure by Tim Martinson Page 4

5 Fruit Composition Report - 10/3/2016 Samples reported here were collected on Monday, October 3. Where appropriate, sample data from 2015, averaged over all sites is included. Tables from 2014 are archived at Next samples will be collected on Monday, October 10. Cabernet Franc Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E. Seneca Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Seneca Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Cayuga Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Dresden Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Wayne County Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Geneva Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Lansing Hudson Valley 10/3/2016 HVRL Highland Long Island 10/3/2016 LI Long Island 10/3/2016 LI Average 10/3/ Prev. Sample 9/26/ Average 10/5/ Catawba Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Keuka Average 10/3/2016 Keuka Prev Sample 9/26/ Sample 10/5/2015 Keuka Cayuga White Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Dresden HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Keuka HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Cayuga HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Ithaca HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/19/2016 Dresden Final Sample 9/21/ Chardonnay Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Cayuga HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Seneca HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Dresden HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Lansing HARVEST Long Island 10/3/2016 LI Average 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Final Sample 9/28/ Page 5

6 Concord Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Keuka HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Canandaigua Lake Erie 10/3/2016 Portland Lake Erie 10/3/2016 Fredonia Average 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Sample 10/5/ Corot Noir Finger Lakes Prev Sample 9/26/2016 Dresden Sample 10/5/2015 Dresden Frontenac Champlain Valley 10/3/2016 Willsboro HARVEST Champlain Valley 10/3/2016 Morrisonville HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton-Rake/LR HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton-No Can Mgt HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton-VSP HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton-UMB HARVEST Thousand Islands 10/3/2016 Clayton-TWC HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/26/ Final Sample 10/5/2015 Clayton Frontenac Gris Champlain Valley Prev Sample 9/26/2016 Willsboro Final Sample 9/21/ Gruner Veltliner Finger Lakes HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/6/2016 Dresden Final Sample 9/8/2015 Dresden La Crescent Champlain Valley 9/19/2016 Morrisonville HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/19/2016 Geneva HARVEST Thousand Islands 9/19/2016 HARVEST Champlain Valley 9/19/2016 Willsboro HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/19/2016 Trumansburg HARVEST 16 Final Average 9/12/ Final Average 9/21/ Page 6

7 Lemberger Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Keuka Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Dresden HARVEST Average 10/3/ Prev. Average 9/26/ Final Sample 10/5/ Leon Millot Champlain Valley HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/2016 Morrisonville Malbec Long Island 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Sample 10/5/2015 LI Marquette Champlain Valley 9/26/2016 Willsboro HARVEST Champlain Valley 9/26/2016 Morrisonville HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Trumansburg HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Ithaca HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Dresden 3309 HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 Dresden Own HARVEST Lake Erie 9/26/2016 HARVEST Thousand Islands 9/26/2016 Clayton HARVEST Thousand Islands 9/26/2016 Clayton HARVEST Thousand Islands 9/26/2016 Clayton HARVEST 16 Final Average 9/19/ Final Sample 9/28/ Merlot Hudson Valley 10/3/2016 HVRL Highland Long Island 10/3/2016 LI Long Island 10/3/2016 LI Average 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Average 10/5/ Niagara Lake Erie 9/19/2016 Portland HARVEST Lake Erie 9/19/2016 Portland HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/2016 Portland Final Sample 9/21/ Page 7

8 Noiret Finger Lakes 9/19/2016 Wayne County HARVEST Hudson Valley 9/19/2016 HVRL Highland HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/ Final Sample 10/5/ Pinot Noir Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 E. Seneca HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 W. Cayuga HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/26/ Final Sample 9/21/2015 E. Seneca Riesling Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Seneca Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E. Seneca HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 CL 90 Cayuga Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Keuka Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Seneca HARVEST Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 W. Canandaigua Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Dresden Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E. Seneca cl Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E. Seneca cl Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E. Seneca cl Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Wayne County Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Geneva Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Lansing Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 E Seneca HARVEST Hudson Valley 10/3/2016 HVRL Highland Lake Erie 10/3/2016 Portland HARVEST Long Island 10/3/2016 LI-01 HARVEST Average 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Sample 10/5/ Sauvignon Blanc Long Island HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/2016 LI Final Sample 9/14/2015 LI Seyval Blanc Finger Lakes 9/6/2016 W. Cayuga HARVEST Lake Erie 9/12/2016 Portland HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/ Final Sample 8/31/ Page 8

9 St Croix Finger Lakes HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/12/2016 Geneva Final Sample 9/8/2015 Geneva Traminette Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Keuka Hudson Valley 10/3/2016 HVRL Highland Average 10/3/ Prev Sample 9/26/ Sample 10/5/2015 Keuka Vidal Blanc Finger Lakes 10/3/2016 Dresden Prev Sample 9/26/2016 Dresden Sample 10/05/2015 Dresden Vignoles Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 VSP Keuka HARVEST Finger Lakes 9/26/2016 W. Seneca HARVEST 16 Final Sample 9/19/ Final Sample 9/28/2015 W. Seneca Collard Machine for Leaf removal at Bloom Tim Martinson and Alex Koeberle Mechanized leaf removal at trace bloom to influence cluster compactness (See article p. 4) is effective, but too costly and labor-intensive to do by hand. Conventional mechanical leaf removal systems use suction and blades to cut off leaves. They are effective after fruit set, when clusters have enough weight to resist the suction - but not at trace-bloom. The "Collard" machine, shown at right, works on a different principle. It uses high-velocity jets of air instead of suction to pulvarize leaf tissue. We tried it out with Peter Martini of Anthony Road Vineyards this past June. The Collard machine was pretty effective in removing the leaves without shredding the flower clusters (see before and after [only one side] picture at right) - and thus could be a practical management tool for the right varieties. We plan to do more extensive trials next growing season with this machine. Page 9

10 Vanden Heuvel and Arnink Class Visits Long Island Tim Martinson Class Visit. Each year Cornell students taking Justine Vanden Heuvel and Kathy Arnink's Grapes to Wines class visit vineyards on Long Island to talk with vineyard managers and winemakers. This year they visited with Lenz vineyard manager Sam McCulloch (left) and Bedell Cellars' winemaker Rich Harbich. Both are veterans of the Long Island grape industry since the 1980s. Photos by Justine Vanden Heuvel This newsletter was made possible with support from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program, Inc. and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell University.. Veraison to Harvest is a joint publication of: Cornell Enology Extension Program Statewide Viticulture Extension Program Long Island Grape Program Finger Lakes Grape Program Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Eastern New York Regional Horticulture Program Copyright 2016 Cornell University The information, including any advice or recommendations, con-tained herein is based upon the research and experience of Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel. While this information constitutes the best judgement/opinion of such personnel at the time issued, neither Cornell Cooperative Extension nor any representative thereof makes any representation or warrantee, express or implied, of any particular result or application of such information, or regarding any product. Users of any product are encouraged to read and follow product-labeling instructions and check with the manu-facturer or supplier for updated information. Nothing contained in this information should be interpreted as an endorsement expressed or implied of any particular product. Page 10