Wine-Grower-News #100 September 4, 2009 (Next Newsletter in One Week!)

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Janice Bennett
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1 Wine-Grower-News #100 September 4, 2009 (Next Newsletter in One Week!) Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute: Information in this issue includes: 1% rise in market share for Iowa wine means a lot! Free Winemaking Calculators Online at VinoEnology Results are in from the Minnesota State Fair 2009 Iowa State Fair Wine Competition Results NDGG Summer Tour Small Farm & Rural Living Expo Jordan, MN Aronia Berry Festival Missouri Valley, IA Show n Tell Comments from Readers Quote of the Week Article of Interest Neeto-Keeno WWW Stuff Garvin Heights Vineyards Winona, MN 1% rise in market share for Iowa wine means a lot! Craig Tordsen (ISU Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute) recently completed his annual 2009 Fiscal Year (FY) Iowa wine production and sales report through June of This is what it showed: FY June 2009 native wine ending inventory FY June 2008 native wine ending inventory FY June 2009 native wine production FY June 2008 native wine production FY June 2009 native wine sales FY June 2008 native wine sales 376,718 gallons 293,999 gallons 292,908 gallons 252, 754 gallons 195,262 gallons 165,770 gallons Iowan s purchased 3,720,376 gallons of wine in the last year. Iowa wineries provided 5.25 percent of the total sold, up from 4.75% last year. A 1% increase in the current market share would mean an increase of approximately 37,204 gallons = 187, ml bottles = 15,657 cases = 248 tons of grapes (150 gal/ton) = 70 acres (3.5 ton/acre). This report also showed that Iowa s population of about 3 million consumed about 1.24 gallons of wine per person. The US average is 2.45 gallons. (1) 1

2 These numbers mean only two things. (1) Our industry needs to continue educating the Iowa consumer about Iowa wines and (2) we need to promote native wine sales. We ALL need to work together to make this happen! (1) Based upon Bureau of the Census estimated resident population. Per capita consumption will be higher if based on legal drinking age population. You can read this entire report here: Free Winemaking Calculators Online at VinoEnology VinoEnology.com, is helping professional winemakers during their hectic crush. Visitors to the website can instantly access winemaking calculators for: Fermentation (Brix, yeast, nutrients); Chaptalization and water dilution (sugar and water additions); SO2 (addition of potassium metabisulfite and liquid SO2 solution); Acid addition (tartaric, malic and citric acid addition); Fining and oak addition (clarification and oak wood chips addition); Fortification (alcohol addition); Blending and cost calculator (wine blending and cost). Check it out here: Results are in from the Minnesota State Fair The first International Cold Climate Wine Competition was held at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair on August 25 th. This competition was sponsored by the Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota Grape Growers Association and the University of Minnesota. Only cold climate grape wines from commercial wineries qualified for this competition. Wines from 51 wineries in 15 states were judged by 15 judges. Four Best of Show, 4 Double Gold, 28 Gold, 60 Silver and 105 bronze awards were given. Falconer Vineyards and Winery 2007 Frontenac Reserve Red Wing Port from Red Wing, Minnesota won the coveted Minnesota Governor s Cup trophy The following number of wineries from each identified state participated: CT 1 MI 1 NH 1 VT - 3 IA - 4 MN 18 NV- 1 WI - 9 IL 1 MT 1 NY 1 WY - 1 KY 1 NE 3 PA 2 Congratulations to Danish Countryside Vines & Wines for their Gold medal that was awarded to their Edelweiss wine. The other three Iowa wineries included: Tassel Ridge Winery, Eagles Landing Winery and Wide River Winery. You can see all the results here: International Cold Climate Wine Competition Homepage: 2

3 2009 Iowa State Fair Wine Competition Results The first ever Iowa State Fair commercial winery competition was held during the 2009 Iowa State Fair. Fifty wines from 16 Iowa wineries were presented awards. Eight Gold, 20 Silver and 10 Bronze awards were given. The 3 Double-Gold winners were Ackerman Winery in Amana for its Catawba wine, Snus Hill Winery of Madrid for its Boule de Polis and Tassel Ridge Winery in Leighton for its Red, White & Blue wine. Results of the Commercial Wine Competition can be found here: Results of the Amateur Wine Competition can be found here: NDGG Summer Tour What: North Dakota Grape Grower s Association s Summer Tour When: Saturday, September 12, a.m. Self guided tour of NDSU s arboretum 1 p.m. Grape events begin 6 p.m. Wine social at Red Trail Vineyard Where: North Dakota State University Research Arboretum Directions to the Research Farm: From Absaraka - 1 mile east, 1 mile north and 1/2 mile east. Or, from the Wheatland Exit (#324) - 3 miles north, 1 mile west, 5 miles north. The address is 1/2 mile east of the intersection of 148th Ave & 29th St SE. Directions to Red Trail Vineyard: - 2 miles north of the Ayr Exit (#317). From Buffalo, it is 3 miles east and 1 mile south. The address is southwest of the intersection of 142nd Ave & 35th St SE. Cost: $25 per person. Pre-registraton: Stongly encouraged to ensure adequate food and handout materials.. NDGGA members who pre-register will receive a $10 discount on admission. Pre-register today by calling Rudy Radke at or at rudy.radke@ndsu.edu What to bring (suggested): Sack lunch if coming early, lawn chair, hat or umbrella, plant samples to be diagnosed, homemade wine to share Comments: This year's theme is the "Outdoor Classroom". Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to see and learn about grape diseases, insect pests, herbicide injury, grow tubes, fertility, trellising and factors affecting wine quality, all while in the vineyard. There will be plenty of time to visit, ask questions, tour the vineyard, and sample the fruit. Those arriving early should bring a sack lunch Attendees are invited to bring grape specimens with abnormal leaves or fruit to have them diagnosed by experts on the spot. Anyone who wishes to come the day before may park a self-contained camper at Red Trail Vineyard both Friday and Saturday nights. 3

4 Small Farm & Rural Living Expo Jordan, MN What: 2 nd Annual Small Farm & Rural Living Expo When: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2009 Where: Scott County Fairgrounds, Jordan, MN: Cost: $10 per person/$20 per family, no preregistration required. Comments: This Expo is for the small farm enterprise or the small acreage owner and will feature presentations and demonstrations on topics related to small farms and rural living, vendors, local foods, children s activities, music and more. The 2009 Expo will include 6 stages, including two demonstration stages featuring topics such as cheese making and beekeeping as well as an on-farm research stage highlighting area farmers and their field projects. Coordinated by: University of Minnesota Extension Service Sponsors: USDA-Minnesota Farm Service Administration North Central SARE: Minnesota Grown: Further info: Contact: Becky Rasmussen, U of M Extension: or eliza003@umn.edu Aronia Berry Festival Missouri Valley, IA What: Aronia Berry Festival When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2009 Where: Sawmill Hollow Organic Farm, 2159 Kennedy Ave., Missouri Valley, IA Directions: From Council Bluffs or Sioux City I 29 to Exit 82 (Modale) then follow signs. Agenda: Tours & educational talks about aronia ornamental & wildlife planting. Aronia berries contain high levels of antioxidants health benefits. Sample aronia products juice, jelly, wine. Plants & aronia products for sale. Speakers: Dr. Eldon Everhart, ISU aronia berry expert Vaughn Pittz, owner of the farm. Co-Sponsors: Iowa State University Extension & Sawmill Hollow Organic Farm Contact: Eldon Everhart, or everhart@iastate.edu 4

Show n Tell (Note: Pictures are always welcome from readers.

Moravia, Iowa. (Above) 9-3-09 Wild Elderberry Indianola, IA tested at a ph 4.35 and brix 10.9. On 9-2-09 I stopped by the Engelbrecht Family Winery located on the east side of Fredericksburg, Iowa.

Katrina is married to their son Matthew.

5 Show n Tell (Note: Pictures are always welcome from readers.) (Above) John Houser submitted this photo of hay baling net he used to cover his concord grapes at Turkey Ridge Farms at Moravia, Iowa. (Above) Wild Elderberry Indianola, IA tested at a ph 4.35 and brix On I stopped by the Engelbrecht Family Winery located on the east side of Fredericksburg, Iowa. Dianna & Loren Engelbrecht own and operate a dairy operation, winery, 11 acre vineyard, bed & breakfast and antique/novelty store at this location. They keep VERY busy. Their daughter-in-law, Katrina Engelbrecht is the primary winemaker with Loren pitching in when needed. Katrina is married to their son Matthew. Their scenic location is located next to Plum Creek and the 4 mile long Plum Creek walking/biking trail. You can check them out here: (Above) Loren & Dianna Engelbrecht stand next to a row of Bluebell grapes (Above) View overlooking Plum Creek flowing in front of Engelbrecht Winery, Bed n Breakfast and dairy operation. 5

(Above) Engelbrecht Winery building located on

(Above) Two gold medals from the Best of

help two customers from Sumner, Iowa in their

(Above) Large barn in background is used for

(Above) A large meeting room with a state

6 (Above) Engelbrecht Winery building located on south side of highway 18. (Above) Two gold medals from the Best of Appellation America adorn Engelbrecht Winery s hombre and bella wines. (Above) Dianna with Loren in the background help two customers from Sumner, Iowa in their tasting room. (Above) Large barn in background is used for large inside events. (Above) A large meeting room with a state certified kitchen is available for groups to use. (Above) Loren installed this large 6 x 3 hepa air filtration system to clean the air in the winery production area. 6

Nancy Litch, co-owner with her husband Dave of the Old Bank Winery in Kanawha, Iowa sent me these pictures this week.

They ended up renovating the old Farmers State Bank Building into a winery with a bed & breakfast on the second floor.

(Above) The Litch s moved this old dairy barn 1.5 miles this summer to their home farm outside of Kanawha.

Nancy & Dave intend to put on metal siding and metal roof and then use this building for equipment storage on their family farm.

7 Nancy Litch, co-owner with her husband Dave of the Old Bank Winery in Kanawha, Iowa sent me these pictures this week. Nancy & Dave moved from Pikes Peak, Colorado to Kanawha in They ended up renovating the old Farmers State Bank Building into a winery with a bed & breakfast on the second floor. (Above) Nancy Litch standing in Elderberry patch they planted in 2003 and then expanded in (Above) The Litch s moved this old dairy barn 1.5 miles this summer to their home farm outside of Kanawha. (Above) Old Bank Winery s vineyard and small orchard located just outside of Kanawha. (Above) Old dairy barn set on a new foundation. Nancy & Dave intend to put on metal siding and metal roof and then use this building for equipment storage on their family farm. On the morning of I drove by Victor Rose Vineyard located just south of Summerset Winery located north of Indianola, Iowa. They were harvesting their Vignoles grapes and were delivering them to Summerset Winery for crushing/destemming/pressing. I posted a short video of this activity on YouTube here: 7

(Above) Hand harvesting Vignoles grapes at Victor Rose Vineyard just 1 mile south of Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa.

Comments from Readers (Note: Comments are always welcome from readers.

8 (Above) Hand harvesting Vignoles grapes at Victor Rose Vineyard just 1 mile south of Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa. (Above) Carrie Smith at Summerset Winery rakes Vignoles grapes into crusherdestemmer. (Left) Nets draped over grapes located at the Nashua - Iowa State University Research farm. Comments from Readers (Note: Comments are always welcome from readers.) FYI, the Swenson Red harvested on tank brixed at 18, about 2 points lower than random field tests, the Vignoles harvested on also tank brixed at 18, again about 2 points lower than field tests. Concerning our conversation about the GR7, from my experience with it (not a favorite), once it field tests at 19 or 20, it is similar to the Swenson Red and just starts falling from the clusters in a good wind or at harvest, it is more prone to bird, deer and raccoon harvest than any other variety I've seen, its not a good hanger. The higher ph was due to rain which is why I generally won't take grapes harvested within 48 hours after a rain, ph problems, diluted flavor, and I don't like to pay for water that has to be removed. It s just a blender, with neutral flavor but good color. I don't worry too much about the ph at harvest as that can be adjusted in the tank especially if it s around 3.6 or under. When possible, I like to leave the Frontenac hang until some of the grapes almost start to raisin, as both the acid and ph start to drop dramatically. From what I've seen so far, crops are half to two thirds of last year which is to be expected. --- David Klodd, winemaker at Summerset Winery, Indianola, Iowa 8

9 Need to sell or buy some grapes? Make sure to use the Iowa Wine Growers Association FREE grape exchange classified ads here: Quote of the Week Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance. --- Benjamin Franklin Article of Interest 1. Larger Iowa Vintners Turn Picking Time Over To Machines, Des Moines Register: Neeto-Keeno WWW Stuff 1. Wine Dyed shirts from CrazyShirts.com: 2. Interactive Map of North CarolinaWineries: 3. Ontario Grape Growers Buyers & Sellers page: Post & View Classified Ads here: Past issues archived as html and/or pdf here: Total Circulation of 1,130+ recipients in CA, CO, FL, OH, IA, IN, IL, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NY, OR, PA, SD, VA, VT, WA, WA DC, WI, Australia, Canada & Norway Michael L. White, ISU Extension Viticulture Specialist 909 East 2nd St. Suite E, Indianola, IA ph: , fax: 6017 or To Subscribe to this FREE newsletter, just include the word subscribe in the Subject Line. To Unsubscribe Please reply with the word "unsubscribe" in the Subject Line. 9

10 ] Univ. of MN Small Farms: Garvin Heights Vineyards: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call

Wine-Grower-News #97 August 14, 2009 (Next Newsletter in One Week!)

Wine-Grower-News #97 August 14, 2009 (Next Newsletter in One Week!) Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine Information in this issue includes: From VINES to WINES