Viticulture and Enology Extension News Washington State University

SPRING 2018

CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Spring is here! Reports of bud swelling to early signs of budbreak have been rolling in across the state. So far, things are looking pretty good, albiet some concerns relating to cold damage from our March 2018 cold snap (keep an eye out for crown gall!). Otherwise, the snow pack is looking good, spring rains are keeping the soils moist (but a little cool), and the season appears VITICULTURE to be tracking fairly close to average. DMI Fungicide Resistance... Page 2 As you catch a small breather between the end of pruning and the start of pest management, VitisGen2...... Page 4 enjoy this spring issue of VEEN. We have several articles on what is new, what to look out for, and things to look forward too. Herbicide Survey...... Page 5 As always, check the WSU V&E Program’s website frequently, as we have a number of events for Leaffolders...... Page 8 2018 where we hope to see you! Michelle M. Moyer Associate Professor-Viticulture Extension Specialist WSU-Prosser ENOLOGY

Winery S02 Licensing...... Page 9 Micro Update...... Page 11

OTHER NEWS WA Research Program...... Page 10 Globe-Trekking with V&E... Page 12 FIND US ON THE WEB: http://wine.wsu.edu/extension Information when you need it. That is the power of the internet! Visit the WSU Viticulture and Enology Research and Extension website for valuable information EDITOR regarding research programs at WSU, timely news releases on topics that are Michelle M. Moyer, Ph.D. important to your business, as well as information regarding upcoming workshops and meetings. It is also a valuable site for downloading our most recent Extension publications, in addition to archived articles and newsletters you can print on demand. Find WSU Extension programs and employment quick links to AgWeatherNet, the Viticulture and Enology Degree and Certificate are available to all without discrimination. programs, as well as to other Viticulture and Enology related resources. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Find us on Facebook Go to: www.facebook.com/WSU.Vit.Enol.Ext and “Like” the page!

1 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Detecting DMI Resistance in Powdery Mildew By the Fungicide Resistance Assessment, Mitigation, and Extension (FRAME) Network

If you heard one the FRAME the CYP51 gene in a Network group talks about cell. These sensitive fungicide resistance in grape mutants have 1 to 2 powdery mildew this past winter, copies of the mutant this past winter. We hinted we gene but also have would soon have a DMI-resistance many more copies (FRAC 3) screening test similar to of the normal gene. the test we have for QoI fungicides This is likely why they (FRAC 11; QoI or strobilurin). You are still sensitive. may be wondering: When will I be able to submit samples for potential This result agrees DMI resistance screening? Is the with our observation test available yet? that as the number of mutant copies of the gene increases in The short answer - No; it is still a Figure 1 - Managing grapevine powdery mildew was challeng- work in progress. While we can the cell, so does the ing in 2017 across the region. In addition to conducive weather detect and quantify some of the tolerance of the cell for mildew outbreaks, as well as less-than-ideal spray practices, mutations associated with DMI to DMI fungicides fungicide resistance development was also a potential player. fungicide resistance, we are not tested (myclobutanil sure what the testing results mean and tebuconazole). Easy, you might say--- just count the Table 1- Potential results from PCR- for field samples, and the potential tests for DMI fungicide resistance of DMI control failures. number of Y136F mutations present Hypothetical in a sample. Unfortunately, it is not # of mutant risk of that easy. Since this relationship gene copies PCR is a rapid technique that DMI fungicide is at the individual cell level, we detected can be used to look at the have to determine how many cells failure genetic information of an were sampled in order to estimate Isolate #1 organism. In this case, we use 0 Low how many mutant copies of the Isolate #2 1 Low it to look for genetic mutations. gene there are per cell. We have Isolate #3 6 Low developed such a method, but the Isolate #4 25 High The long answer – Kind of. We have problem is interpreting the results a PCR-based assay that can detect for field samples which are mostly Average 8 Low and accurately quantify the Y136F mixtures of multiple isolates. mutation in the CYP51 gene that genes per cell; which could suggest is associated with DMI resistance. Let us examine a hypothetical a low risk DMI fungicide failure. But The problem is that the association sample. We will realistically assume that is not true! In fact, 25% (1 of between the mutation and actual our sampling methods have picked the 4) of your isolates (Isolate #4) field-level resistance is not clear. up 4 isolates from a moderately are resistant, meaning they contain infected leaf or berry. The more mutant gene copies than the hypothetical Y136F copy number threshold for control failure. The that would be detected for each subsequent use of DMI fungicides For those who are interested, isolate if sampled individually and could allow this resistant isolate to the exact wording is the the result from the hypothetical rapidly increase; and if those DMI “Y136F allele”, which is field sample is presented in Table 1. fungicides are used at a critical time a specific mutation of the (i.e., bloom to late fruit-set) a field CYP51 gene. Genes can have Assume that 20 mutant gene control failure could be likely. We many different types of alleles. copies per cell are needed to cause could be falsely thinking that we can a control failure (actual number is use DMI fungicides when instead This is why the association is not not known) and that each mildew we should be implementing strict clear: First, we have found some isolate had the same number of fungicide resistance mitigation powdery mildew isolates with the cells in the hypothetical field sample practices. Y136F mutation that have the (this is never really the case, but it same tolerance to DMI fungicides keeps the math relatively simple). The conservative approach to using as sensitive isolates without any Our DMI test results for this this data would be to not use any known mutation. The problem is hypothetical sample would indicate that there are numerous copies of that there were eight Y136F mutant continued on page 3 2 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 DMI Fungicides, con’t. continued from page 2

DMI fungicides if a Y136F mutation is detected. But this conservative approach also has some drawbacks rape etwork - if we stop using DMIs when only a G FRAME N single mutant gene is detected, we Fungicide Resistance Assessment,Mitigation and Extension would be placing undue resistance Network development pressure on the remaining fungicide modes-of- Team participants: action. It likely takes a lot of copies of the mutant gene in order to get • Walt Mahaffee (USDA-Agriculture Research Service): to the point of field-level control [email protected] failures, considering we have been • Phil Brannen (University of Georgia): living with DMI resistance since [email protected] 1996. • Monica Cooper (University of California Cooperative Extension): To make things even more [email protected] complicated, we also have found • Melanie Ivey (The Ohio State University): powdery mildew isolates without [email protected] the Y136F mutation but resistant to • Tim Miles (Michigan State University): the DMIs tested (myclobutanil and tebuconazole). This means that [email protected] you could get a negative test result • Michelle Moyer, (Washington State University): back (no Y136F detected), but still [email protected] have DMI resistant powdery mildew • Rachel Naegele (USDA-Agriculture Research Service): isolates. This tells us that the Y136F [email protected] mutation is likely not the only genetic trait associated with DMI • Ioannis Stergiopoulos (University of California - Davis): fungicide resistance in the field. [email protected] • Rob Stoll (University of Utah): As the FRAME Network group, we [email protected] are expanding our sample testing in 2018 to improve our understanding of how to use these tools and interpret results. We are not confident that existing genetic tests can be used to make accurate field management decisions regarding the DMI fungicides because of our limited understanding of mutation frequency.

One last point. The fungicide resistance data to date is only representative of the samples we received. Since these samples were not randomly collected, they do not represent the state of the powdery mildew population in any region. We also do not know how many samples are needed to make an accurate management decision. This is ongoing research that is partially funded by the American For more information on fungicide above). For more information Vineyard Foundation. resistance testing and management on mildew management in contact a Grape FRAME Network Washington, see the Fall 2017 issue team member (information is of VEEN.

3 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 VitisGen2: Variety Development with Technology By Raquel Kallas, Cornell University

The USDA-funded VitisGen2 However, fungal disease The Challenge. Perhaps the largest project is aimed using detailed management still remains a challenge that will remain in the way DNA sequence information to problem. For example, growers of new varieties for sustainable, high incorporate disease resistance in humid climates often have to quality grape production is industry genes into new cultivars. Breeding apply 8-15 fungicide sprays per and consumer acceptance. Wine is for disease resistance is a world- season to adequately protect their steeped in tradition, entwined with wide effort to address weaknesses V. vinifera vines – this is undeniably the history and culture of humanity in our leading wine grape cultivars. unsustainable, considering intensive for thousands of years. The most resource use and the evolution popular V. vinifera varietal wines The need. The most popular of fungicide-resistant pathogens. and traditional blends have loyal cultivars of the domestic grapevine, followers who gravitate towards vinifera, contain a tiny fraction The solution. Resistance genes those wines because they expect of the genetic diversity present in from North American Vitis. How consistency, and/or are interested the entire Vitis genus. Most of these can such a massive shortcoming by the historical and cultural venerated cultivars, such as Pinot of our globally-preferred grape associations of the wine. However, noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, etc., species be addressed? The answers it does not have to be a mutually emerged during the Middle Ages lie in the genetics of North exclusive situation: new cultivars in Europe, long before foreign pests American and Asian species of Vitis, and old cultivars can each fulfill and pathogens were introduced species which evolved alongside a niche that the other cannot. from the New World. Recent efforts the aforementioned pathogens In fact, Europe is beginning to to map the grape genome revealed for millions of years. Access embrace new, disease resistant that 75% of common V. vinifera to those answers lies in novel cultivars – watch the latest VitisGen cultivars tested share immediate genetic sequencing technologies webinar for more on that topic. family with at least one other cultivar and advances in breeding and – meaning that they are all siblings, automated phenotyping. It helps We have entered a new era of parents, or children to each other. that the price of genetic sequencing genetic information, where in just It’s not surprising, then, that grapes has plummeted in the past 10 10 years, the cost of DNA sequence today are so susceptible to disease. years, from $500 to sequence a has dropped by a factor of 10,000. mega-base (1 million base pairs) The potential for breeding resilient, The weakness. Disease in 2007, to just 1.2 cents today. All flavorful grapes is better than susceptibility. The invasions of of these factors facilitate progress ever. For the sake of responsible phylloxera, black rot, and downy towards developing new, disease environmental stewardship and and powdery mildews in Europe resistant varieties, with traits for conscientious consumption, it is initiated adaptations to viticulture fruit and wine quality prioritized time for wine lovers to open their such as hybridization with North alongside disease resistance. minds and expand their palates to American species, grafting to North cultivars coming in the 21st century. American species rootstocks, and the The VitisGen2 project brings use of broad-spectrum fungicidal together a multi-disciplinary team This research was supported by the USDA- chemistry (e.g. “Bordeaux mixture,” whose goal is to produce game- NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (Award copper sulfate and slaked lime). changing grapes. In the deluge of No. 2017- 51181-26829) newly-available genetic information, Many in the wine industry are aware VitisGen geneticists have identified References: of the unfortunate reputation and more than 70 markers associated fate of the interspecific hybrids: with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) Martinson, Timothy. 2018. “Grape they were a temporary solution for disease resistance and fruit Breeders No Longer Flying Blind.” to the phylloxera problem, bred quality since 2011. These markers Wines & Vines, March 2018. hastily in the mid-1800s, with are useful to breeders, who stack little regard for flavor and wine or “pyramid” those genes in Martinson, Timothy. 2017. quality. V. vinifera cultivars quickly the offspring for strong, long- “The Frozen Genetics of reclaimed their place back from the term disease resistance. This is a International Wine Cultivars.” hybrids with the advent of grafting. world away from the capabilities Wines & Vines, December 2017. Grafting was almost universally of grape breeders in the 19th adopted, and rootstock breeding century, or even in the late 20th continues today to make progress century – they are no longer in optimizing vine performance. flying blind towards their goals.

4 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Herbicide Use and Weed Management Survey By Lynn Sosnoskie, formerly of WSU - Wenatchee, currently UC-ANR Agronomy and Weed Science Advisor

Weed control is a critical component of newly established and bearing vineyards. Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and light, which can affect yield quantity and quality. In addition to direct interference, non-managed weeds can negatively affect vineyard production by: blocking sprinklers resulting in micro-sites that are alternately drought- and flood- stressed; supporting populations of , rodent, and pathogenic pests detrimental to crop health; and interfering with harvest activities. Weeds are also incredibly adaptive organisms; as a result, the structure and composition of in-vineyard plant communities are constantly evolving in response to vegetation management strategies. To better Figure 1 - The most commonly used PRE herbicides in WA wine grapes according to a survey develop weed science-related of wine grape growers and vineyard managers. research and extension efforts that directly benefit Washington’s (WA) The survey had twenty-nine Alion (indaziflam), and Chateau wine grape industry, current and respondents, who were responsible (flumioxazin) were the most detailed information describing for managing 10,000 acres. commonly used products (Fig.1); current weed management According to WSU estimates, this Casoron (dichlobenil), Goal practices and future weed control represents approximately 20% of (oxyfluorfen), Karmex (diuron), issues in vineyards is needed. the total wine grape acreage in Prowl (pendimethalin), and Solicam the state. Most of the respondents (napropamide) were each used by A voluntary survey activated on the were from the Columbia Valley 3-5% of all respondents. Eighty- 18 Nov 2017 and was distributed AVA (16%), the Horse Heaven Hills three percent of all respondents to vineyard managers via the WSU AVA (24%), and the Walla Walla reported using post-emergence Irrigated Agriculture Newsletter, Valley AVA (11%). Three to 5% of (POST) herbicides under the trellis mailing information managed by the respondents managed grapes system for weed control at some www.washingtonwine.org and in each of the remaining WA AVAs time during the last three years, with www.wawinegrowers.org, and except Columbia Gorge, Snipes glyphosate containing products through social media (Facebook Mountain, Naches Heights, and being the most common choice and Twitter). The survey, which Ancient Lakes (0% of respondents followed by Aim (carfentrazone), was conducted online at the reported working in these AVAs). Rely (glufosinate), and Gramoxone Washington State University (WSU) Across all respondents, 57% of the inteon (paraquat) (Fig. 2). Venue Qualtrics website was composed wine grape acres were listed as (pyraflufen ethyl) was used by 6% of 18 questions divided into five bearing (43% non-bearing), 44% of the respondents and 2% had sections that captured the following of the acres were listed as USDA reported using Poast (sethoxydim). information: 1) what AVAs are certified organic or transitioning represented and how many acres to organic (54% not under USDA Although herbicides appeared to are managed by the respondents, organic certification), and 14% be important components of weed 2) what pre- and post-emergence were listed as LIVE certified (86% management programs in WA wine herbicides are used underneath the not LIVE certified). grapes, they were not the only trellis system, 3) what non-chemical tools employed; 38%, 32%, and weed management strategies are With respect to herbicides, 59% 28% of respondents also reported also employed, 4) which weeds of respondents indicated that using cultivation, mowing and are most problematic, and 5) what they had used pre-emergence hand-weeding, respectively, for research needs are important to (PRE) herbicides at some time weed management under the trellis growers going forward. during the last three years. Surflan (oryzalin), Matrix (rimsulfuron), continued on page 6 5 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Herbicides, con’t. continued from page 5

were less significant concerns Fig.( 3). Perennial broadleaves (e.g., field bindweed) were, primarily, reported to be a moderate concern and perennial grasses/or glass- like species (e.g., horsetail) were described as a big to serious problem (Fig. 4).

When asked to identify individual species of concern, growers specifically mentioned: Salsola tragus (Russian thistle), Tribulus terrestris (puncturevine/goatheads/ caltrops), Conyza canadensis (marestail), Kochia scoparia (kochia), Amaranthus spp. (pigweed), Centaurea spp. (knapweed), and Malva neglecta (common mallow). With respect to herbicide resistance in their vineyards, the Figure 2 - The most commonly used POST herbicides in WA wine grapes according to a survey respondents specifically noted: of wine grape growers and vineyard managers. Conyza canadensis, Kochia scoparia, system. Weed control between According to the respondents, and Salsola tragus. These results the rows was achieved through summer broadleaf species are not surprising as resistance to a combination of mowing (43% (e.g., pigweeds) were primarily glyphosate has been reported for of respondents), cover cropping considered to be a big problem several listed species (Russian thistle, (25%), cultivation (19%), hand- in vineyards, whereas summer marestail, Kochia, and pigweeds) in weeding (7%), and herbicide (e.g., crabgrass) and winter (e.g., the Western United States (http:// applications (7%). annual bluegrass) grasses and weedscience.org/default.aspx). winter broadleaves (e.g., filaree) continued on page 7

Figure 3 - Importance of annual weed species in WA wine grapes according to a survey of wine grape growers and vineyard managers.

6 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Herbicides, con’t. continued from page 6

Figure 4 - Importance of perennial weed species in WA wine grapes according to a survey of wine grape growers and vineyard managers.

With respect to future management production systems. Tools include Western states, although resistance needs, growers indicated interest both pre- and post-emergence has not yet been confirmed in WA. in: finding new, effective herbicide herbicides, mowing and cultivation, Several of these species can also be for weed control, but also reducing hand-weeding, and cover crop use. widely dispersed by wind-blown total herbicide use; evaluating While the identification of new seeds (marestail) or tumbling plants new cultivation equipment while herbicides for use in wine grape (Kochia and Russian Thistle). Several also improving the adoption of systems is desirable, reducing the species (Centaurea spp., common reduced tillage; and identifying industry’s reliance on chemical mallow, Kochia, puncturevine, weed suppressive cover crops (in control strategies also appears to Russian thistle) are adapted to particular, native plant species). be of interest. Cultivation practices the drier environments that can be an effective alternate weed characterize the Eastern side of the Results from this survey, which was management strategy; however, state. Future research efforts should funded by a grant from the WA growers appear to be interested in be sure to address the influence of State Grape and Wine Research minimizing soil disturbance. Many weed biology and physiology on Program, suggest that vineyard of the species listed as specific management success. managers utilize a diverse set of concerns to growers are known to strategies to manage weeds in their be resistant to glyphosate in other

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This service allows you to customize the information you receive. Choose from topic areas, including: Tree Fruit (apple, cherry, stone fruit, nursery, automation/mechanization), Grapes (juice, wine, table, win- ery), Other Small Fruit (blueberry, raspberry), Vegetables (potato, onion, sweet corn, peas, carrots, other veg- etables), Cereals/Row Crops (wheat/small grains, corn [grain and silage], dry edible beans, alternative crops), Forages (alfalfa, timothy, other grasses/legumes, mint), Livestock (cattle, swine, sheep, goats, pasture man- agement), Ag Systems (high residue farming, soil quality/health, organic ag, direct marketing, small farms), Water and Irrigation (center pivot irrigation, drip irrigation, surface irrigation, water availability/rights).

7 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 These Caterpillars Can Sure Mess Up Grape Leaves! By David James, WSU-Prosser

Caterpillars (common name: Leaffolders) which roll grapevine leaves while consuming them, have recently emerged as a localized pest in Washington vineyards with outbreaks reported from a few locations in the Yakima Valley and around Mattawa (Fig. 1). In some instances, near-defoliation has occurred on young vines and concern has been expressed by growers on the possible effect of this damage on fruit ripening. Insecticides have been used in some cases to attempt to minimize the Figure 2 - Adult of a leaffolder. impact of leaffolders on grapevines. Much confusion exists between D. vineyards in eastern Washington The identity of the caterpillars funeralis and D. maculalis and the as possible. We will rear-out and causing the leaf-rolling problem is importance of each as a grape pest. identify all of the species we find, unclear but preliminary studies in Currently, it is unknown whether all giving us a baseline of information September 2017 by our lab at WSU- the outbreaks of leaffolder damage on species identity, distribution and Prosser indicate that at least some of in Washington vineyards can be abundance. the outbreaks are being caused by ascribed to one or both of these funeralis or Desmia maculalis moth species or whether there are We will also be looking for evidence (Grape leaffolder , Fig. 2). other species involved. of parasitism as these caterpillars Michelle Moyer also indicated are known to be susceptible D funeralis was responsible for The arrival of a new pest in to a number of different wasp scattered reports of leaf folding in Washington wine grape vineyards, parasitoids. These parasitoids have Washington in 2014 (Moyer 2014). particularly one that is beginning the potential to keep leaffolders Desmia funeralis is a well-known pest to appear in high abundance in-check. The seasonal biology in California viticulture (Flaherty et at some sites causing economic of leaffolders will be studied at al 1992) but its natural distribution damage, demands our attention as selected vineyards to determine also includes the Pacific Northwest. researchers and viticulturists. We the phenology of life stages (eggs, need to identify the distribution caterpillar stages, pupae, adults) and extent of damage being and generations. Information and caused by leaffolders in Washington data gained during this project vineyards. We also need to should allow formulation of accurately determine the caterpillar potential management strategies. species’ causing this damage so If the species involved are vineyard that management strategies can pests elsewhere then it is likely that be developed. The research we we can quickly adopt to a greater or hope to conduct over the next few lesser degree management options seasons will elucidate and evaluate that are already tested and proven. the threat posed by leaffolders to Most importantly we will be able sustainable grape production in to answer the question: Should we Washington. It will also provide a worry about leaffolders? road map for the way forward that maintains sustainable biologically- References: based pest management. Flaherty DL, Christensen LP, Lanini, Have you had leaffolders in your WT, Marois, JJ, Phillips, PA & Wilson vineyard? We want know! (email: LT (1992) Grape Pest Management [email protected]). This spring Second Ed. Univ California, Div and summer, we will be collecting Agric and Nat Res. Figure 1 - Characteristic leaf-rolling damage leaffolder caterpillars from as many common in leaffolder infestations.

8 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018

Pesticide Applicator’s License in Wineries: SO2 By Michelle Moyer, WSU-IAREC

As many of you might be aware, a are looking to obtain one with an The majority of WA wineries will new licensing law went into effect endorsement to allow you to use likely need the Private Commercial in January 2017 that could impact SO2, then there are two licensing Applicator’s license. This difference your business. This new licensing options to choose from, as shown in credits between the two license law requires those who use sulfur in the Flowchart below (modified types is very important. dioxide (SO2) in the winery to from L. Moses, WSDA). The type of potentially obtain a pesticide license you need depends on where For more information related to this applicator’s license with a “Limited you get your grapes from to make new endorsement, please contact Specialty” endorsement. Those wine. If you make wine ONLY from Lindsey Moses, Pesticide Licensing who already have a license for use grapes you grow yourself, then Specialist at the WSDA. Email: of sulfur dioxide gas on wine corks you need a Private Applicator’s [email protected]; Phone: (360) and barrels, and who were current license, and do not need to take 902-2027. with their license registration at the the special endorsement test. The time the law went into effect, were Private Applicator’s license requires For more information on grandfathered in. Those who are you to obtain 20 recertification recertification please visit:https:// new licensees or who did not meet credits every 5 years to keep the agr.wa.gov/PestFert/docs/ requirements for recertification, will license current (along with paying Form4222.pdf have to take the new exam to earn annual fees). If you make wine with the endorsement. The new exam grapes grown by another farm / is short, does not have any study company, then you need a Private materials, and will be based on a Commercial Applicator License, sulfur dioxide label and application and you will have to take the exam manual. for the SO2 endorsement. This license requires that you earn 40 If you do not currently have a recertification credits every 5 years pesticide applicator’s license, and (along with paying annual fees).

Sulfur Dioxide Fumigation Exam / Endorsement Flowchart

If your winery uses Sulfur Dioxide, please use the flow chart to determine what licensing you will need. This chart was modified from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

I/my employer grow I /my employer grow our I/my employer do not I am in the business of our own grapes and own grapes and use a grow any grapes and applying sulfur dioxide use only the grapes mixture of these grapes use only grapes grown to wine corks/barrels we grow to make our and grapes grown in other by others to make our that are not owned by wine. vineyards to make our wine. me or my employer. wine.

Private Applicator Commercial Private Commercial Applicator Applicator OR Commercial Operator

Sulfur Dioxide Fumigation Endorsement (Exam) Needed

9 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Research Program Awards $1 Million Again By Melissa Hansen, Research Program Manager, Washington State Wine Commission

For the second straight year, the state grape and wine research Your Voice Matters program will award more than $1 million in research grants for 2018- 19. This year’s research funding of The annual 2018 Washington Wine Research Survey is underway nearly $1,009,000 is 30% higher and your feedback is wanted! than funding five years ago of $776,280 and just under last year’s Viticulture and enology research in Washington State is industry record $1,053,000. driven. Grape growers and wineries play a key role in developing research priorities that guide the statewide research program. The Washington State Wine The Wine Research Advisory Committee , a subcommittee of the Commission approved the funding Washington State Wine Commission, annually reviews research recommendations put forth by its priorities to ensure priorities stay current with industry issues subcommittee, the Wine Research and challenges. Advisory Committee, to award 17 research project grants from the The survey is brief and should take about 10 minutes. Take the Washington State Grape and Wine survey here: Research Program. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WAwine2018

Vineyard health is a major research focus. Several projects Contact me if you have any questions about the survey or research deal with grapevine diseases, program at: [email protected] .

insect pests, including a new 2018-19 Washington State Grape and Wine Research Program leaffolder moth, irrigation water savings and efficiencies, vine heat WSU Project Title stress, and new spray application Researcher (Bold denotes new project). technologies. Winery research projects funded include tannin Collins, Tom Assessing Smoke Taint Risk Based on Composition of Smoke Exposed Grape Berries and the Resulting Wine management, wine quality impacts Edwards, Charles Microbiology and Chemistry of WA Wines from mechanization, wine spoilage, Management of Phenolic Compounds in Vineyard and Win- sensory characteristics of wine, and Harbertson, Jim ery, mechanical pruning, and grape maturity the impact of pH on wine microbial Hoheisel, Gwen Assessment of Application Technologies in Wine Grapes ecology. Effects of Low Volume Root Zone Deficit Irrigation on Cabernet Sau- Jacoby, Pete vignon Grape and Wine Quality Two new projects that will be James, David Leafrollers: Identifying the Threat and Solutions initiated this year address labor shortages that are occurring in Karkee, Manoj Smartphone-based Crop Estimation Tool Washington vineyards. One project Keller, Markus Influence of Cultivar, Environment and Management on Grape Yield aims to develop a precise mechanical Components and Quality solution for shoot thinning, and the Moyer, Michelle Impact and Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Washing- second new project will work on a ton Wine Grape Vineyards smartphone application to estimate Monitoring and Mapping Grape Powdery Mildew Fungicide Resis- crop load. Moyer, Michelle tance and Crown Gall Incidence Piao, Hailan Impact of pH on Wine Microbial Ecology and Wine Quality The grape and wine research Rayapati, Naidu Epidemiology and Management of Viral Diseases in WA vineyards program is a competitive grant Ross, Carolyn Sensory Characteristics and Consumer Acceptance of WA Wines program administered by Washington State University. The Salazar, Melba Influence of Climate Variability on Grapevine Phenology program has a unique four-way Walsh, Doug Qualitative Survey of WA Vineyards for Potential Insect Vectors of GV funding partnership unlike any in Red Blotch Virus the nation that blends industry, Quantifying grape mealybug's efficiency as a vector of grapevine lea- state, and private monies from: Walsh, Doug froll associated viruses

Zhang, Qin Precise Mechanical Solution for Vineyard Shoot Thinning continued on page 11

10 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Wine Microbiology Lab Updates By Charlie Edwards, WSU - Pullman

Wine spoilage from the yeast protocols as steaming or hot water lessening the amount of sugar Brettanomyces bruxellensis is a on recovery of viable cells. Results Saccharomyces needs to ferment concern, if not a major threat, to red from this project have yielded to achieve dryness. Initial results wine quality. Additional research suggested times/temperatures indicate large reductions in ethanol regarding those factors that impact for removing the yeast from oak being produced by additional its growth and ability to survive barrels depending on the depth of experimentation is needed to under various conditions would penetration (up to 8 mm). determine overall impact of the allow for prediction of high-risk yeasts on wine quality. situations as well as development Worldwide, some winemakers of effective control measures. Thus, are purposefully encouraging the Recent Publications Related to this project evaluated the ability of growth of non-Saccharomyces Research: this yeast to survive in winery waste yeasts present on grapes to (e.g., pomace) over a lengthy improve such sensory parameters Edwards, C.G., and T.A. 2018. storage time (> two years). Even as ‘mouthfeel.’ More recently, Oswald. Interactive effects between after this long period of time, viable researchers in Australia have total SO2, ethanol, and storage Brett could be recovered from the reported success in reducing alcohol temperature against Brettanomyces pomace samples. concentrations by using sequential bruxellensis. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. fermentations, that us, inoculation 66: 71-76 . A major vector for B. bruxellensis with selected non-Saccharomyces has been oak barrels. Given the species followed by addition of Other Resources Available: porous nature of wood, the yeast Saccharomyces. While winemakers can penetrate staves such that can rely on native yeasts to provide Edwards, C.G. 2005. Illustrated the effectiveness of methods unique and desirable sensory Guide to Microbes and Sediments for cleaning and sanitizing are qualities, there is a risk to quality in Wine, Beer, and Juice. WineBugs questionable. During this project, if undesirable non-Saccharomyces LLC, Pullman, WA. ISBN 978-0- new barrels were infected with yeasts dominate fermentation. 977-25220-6. strains of B. bruxellensis originally obtained from Washington wines. In addition, non-Saccharomyces Fugelsang, K.C. and C.G. Edwards. After a lengthy storage with are being investigated to lower 2007. Wine Microbiology: Practical wine, the barrels were drained final ethanol concentrations wines. Applications and Procedures. and taken apart to determine the Here, many of these yeasts will Second edition. Springer Science penetration depth of the yeast as utilize fermentable sugars without and Business Media, NY. ISBN 978- well as impacts of such sanitizing production of ethanol thereby 0-387-33349-6. Research Program, con’t. continued from page 10 the Wine Commission; State wine liter tax (1/4 cent per liter of all wine sold); WSU’s Agriculture Research Center; and the Auction of Washington Wines, an annual event held to raise awareness of Washington wine.

The Wine Commission vineyard water savings and reduced To learn more about the Washington dedicates about 25% of its $5 pesticide applications to managing wine industry’s research program, million budget to fund research wine spoilage and tannins in the visit: www.washingtonwine.org/ projects and pay its WSU Wine winery, all involved in Washington’s research/reports . Science Center pledge. Grape wine industry benefit, from large to and wine research outcomes make small growers and wineries. significant industry impact. From

11 Washington State University - Viticulture and Enology Extension News Spring 2018 Globe-trekking with the WSU V&E Program By Theresa Beaver, WSU V&E Program

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” So says travel guru, Rick Steves, and nothing could be truer about the educational value of the tours that are available to a wide cross-section of wine industry people through our WSU V&E Program. What began in 2009 with a visit to Washington wineries around Prosser and Red Mountain, has developed into a globe-trotting learning opportunity enabling participants to learn from vintners and grape growers across four continents (so far!) – Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. And the interest in these tours keeps growing. Clay pots used in winemaking; picture taken from the Spring 2018 trip to Portugal.

WSU V&E Director, Thomas Henick- types of terroirs from seeing sites Of course, all of the winery tours Kling, and Certificate Coordinator, and edifices historic to winemaking include delicious local foods Theresa Beaver, quickly recognized (from caves to castles), witnessing provided by the generous hosts, as the educational benefits that& participating in traditional described by a participant on the participants in the local and processes (like treading grapes in Italy tour, “From the Barolos and regional trips were reaping. As bare feet), to experiencing the latest Barbarescos of Piedmont, to the Henick-Kling states, “It’s really in new architecture, equipment, Chiantis of Tuscany, the Amarones great for winemakers and others in marketing, and distribution. and Valpolicellas of Veneto, we the industry who attend our trips sipped lots of luscious reds paired to get the variety of perspectives Surveys we have taken on the with wonderful Italian cheeses, winemakers in other regions and completion of each trip contain prosciuttos, salamis, and even countries have to offer. Many of many quotes from participants chocolates that were offered… them face similar challenges that attesting to the success of these by hosts that were as generous we do, but they often have different learning tours. “So much was as they were gracious, sharing approaches to share.” Indeed, learned. One cannot substitute information and happily answering many of the travelers come back the educational value of walking our questions.” (Tuscany, 2014). with “broadened perspectives” that the vineyards of history, touring increase their breadth of knowledge the wineries, and speaking directly There is no doubt that these tours and practices from walking different with the winemakers about their continue to achieve not only production techniques. For their educational goals, but they instance, walking through build relationships of camaraderie the caves in Spain to witness and goodwill across oceans and how they age the wine and borders. If you feel inspired to join manually disgorge it. Or in one of our upcoming educational learning how certain grape wine adventures, please go to our varieties have changed website to see what’s to come. Like, over the last centuries and New Zealand in January 2019! Find how a one winemaker is complete information at this link: attempting to propagate http://wine.wsu.edu/education/ some varieties that are on certificate/international-winery- the verge of being lost. This tours/, or contact Theresa Beaver trip was of great value to me at [email protected]. We guarantee and my wine education.” you will have a Bon Voyage! (Spain trip, 2016).

Old vines in Portugal.

12 Viticulture and Enology Extension News

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