Notes From The North The quarterly newsletter of the Minnesota Growers Association

Volume 36, Number 1 Spring 2010

Here we are entering the at the Conference’s Midwest Stroll event 2nd decade of the 21st Century. How did demonstrated the gains our young industry is that happen so quickly? Weren’t we just fretting making in the area of wine quality. My sincere about Y2K—and planting our first vines at Martell thanks go out to everyone who attended the CCC; Vineyards? How is it possible they are already special thanks to Conference Director Paula Soholt, more than ten years old? Reminder to self: Time Coordinator Nicole Walsh, Publisher Cheri Anderson, marches on. Savor every moment... Trade Show Coordinator Rudy Jungwirth and the many, What a great start the MGGA has in this new many volunteers who made this year’s conference so decade. . . successful. Planning is underway for the 2011 CCC; please volunteer your time and expertise. The Annual Meeting and Winter Symposium in January were well attended with a great education component. Finally, I want to recognize Dr. Tim Martinsen of Cornell and Dr. Jim Luby of the U of M for an important project MGGA Events Chair Cyndi Ross coordinated the day’s they are spearheading in support of cold climate activities at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. . Through a grant secured from the USDA- Thanks Cyndi for all of your work as Events Chair. Specialty Crop Research Initiative, Drs. Martinsen We elected eight new MGGA board members at the and Luby have held two stakeholder workshops, one annual meeting. These are members who bring needed in Vermont and one in Minnesota, bringing together skill sets to the board. Our board is now 22 members enologists, viticulturalists and market specialists in cold in size; a large board but important for a volunteer climate and wine to identify research needs for association with lots of activities to coordinate and our industry. This project lays the groundwork for funded manage. Congratulations to the new board members; research that will identify optimum wine growing, wine thank you for volunteering. making and market branding practices for these new Our 6th Annual Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference cold climate varieties. This well coordinated regional (CCC) in February was outstanding. There were over effort allows our industry to move forward more quickly five hundred in attendance, our largest participation than we could through the resources of any individual to date. The content, presenters, trade show vendors, state. I’m eager to see the results of this project over and a comfortable venue made this conference a the next decade. great learning opportunity for seasoned veterans May springtime bring you pleasure outdoors and may and novice attendees alike. The wineries and your primary buds be fruitful… In this Issue: • 6th Annual Cold Climate Conference Recap ...... 2 •— SAVE THE DATES —• • MGGA Gold Awards ...... 5 • Midwest Wine Stroll/People’s Choice Awards ...... 6 July 24, 2010 • MGGA ANNUAL PICNIC • Skujins-675 for Minnesota Viticulture ...... 7 Indian Island Winery in Janesville, MN • From The Vineyard ...... 8 • — • • “Establishing a Vineyard...” FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENT ..... 10 2ND ANNUAL ICCWC • Grape-Seed Extract Kills Laboratory Leukemia Cells ...... 10 Entries Open on May 1, 2010 and • SAVE THE DATE - International Cold Climate Wine Competition ....11 • Grapes at Miles City, Montana ...... 12 Competition held on August 24, 2010 • MGGA 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes ...... 13 • — • TH • 2009 Annual Meeting/Winter Symposium ...... 14 7 ANNUAL COLD CLIMATE CONFERENCE • MGGA BOD Meeting Minutes ...... 14 Feb. 17-19, 2011 • Sheraton Bloomington Hotel 2 Spring 2010 The 2010 Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference by Paula Soholt, Conference Director

MGGA’s 6th Annual Cold Climate Conference ~ grapes in the winery allowed for his Witness Tree Pursuing Excellence, held in Bloomington, MN Vineyards in the Willamette Valley of Oregon to move February 11-13, continued the excellence in all that is from dream to reality and left us aspiring to do the Cold Climate Viticulture in the upper Midwest. Thirty same. three sessions offered over two and a half days, 527 “The Law of Wine: Legal Challenges from Growing registered attendees with nearly 700 grape and wine industry representatives participating in all facets of the conference. What a gathering! Participants report they enjoyed the expanded trade show, the depth of course offerings, the cross state line exchange of ideas, the myriad networking opportunities, and that they continue to have fun participating in the annual People’s Choice Award wine tasting conducted during the Midwest Wine Stroll. While eighty percent of the attendees were from Minnesota and Wisconsin, fifteen US states were to Making & Selling” ably introduced by Christopher represented ranging from: Wyoming and Colorado R. Hermann, founding partner of the Stoel Rives LLP in the west; Massachusetts, New York, Washington Winery & Vineyard Group generated much discussion DC and Florida in the east/south east; our Midwest and thoughtful Q & A on legal and business issues for neighbors in the Dakotas, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan starting and growing a vineyard and/or winery. and the special international flavor added by a number Peter Hemstad presented an overview on the single of Canadian Provinces. biggest issue facing growers in the Upper Midwest Highlights of the 2010 conference: - Grapevine Cold Thursday evening’s parallel sessions for getting started Hardiness and provided in the vineyard and winemaking business continue to practical considerations be well received with a record breaking 255 attendees! for maximizing the Both Paul Gospodarczyk’s Basics of Wine Sensory and hardiness of these Tim Rehbein’s innovative hands on pruning session special varieties. were delivered to standing room only crowds many Friday’s silent auction of whom ranked these at the tops of their favorite to benefit the newly conference sessions. established Elmer Swenson Memorial Scholarship fund generated much bidding excitement and netted over $4,300 in start up funding. We celebrated our region and the wine it has to offer at the Midwest Wine Stroll. Attendees tasted featured pours from 24 regional wineries, enjoyed soft music by one of our own, Chad Stoltenberg, and sampled local cheeses, many thanks once again to the generous sponsorship of Minnesota Grown. The evening’s Minnesota native Steven Westby’s inspirational keynote People’s Choice Awards added to the fun generating imparted how the value of commitment to quality from much discussion and great participation at the ballot managing crop load in the vineyard to hand sorting box. Volume 36, Number 1 3

Saturday morning’s keynote speaker was welcomed The conference concluded with an evening of MGGA back by popular demand. Richard Leahy provided Gold. The celebration commenced with the presentation a look into the “Future of the Grape & Wine Industry” of the People’s Choice Awards, a sumptuous feast providing insightful observations about the trends in accompanied by ICCWC Gold winning wines and demographics, consumption preferences and consumer capped by a expectations. This East Coast Editor of Vineyard & pouring of the Winery Management once again shared timely and Falconer Vineyard relevant thoughts on positioning yourself at the front and Winery 2009 of industry trends. Richard concluded his presentation Governor’s Cup by helping give away baskets of the 2009 ICCWC Gold winning Red Winning Wines to members of the audience. Wing Lincoln Peak Vineyard owner Chris Granstrom rolled Port in a “Toast up his sleeves sharing his recipe from the ground up to the Industry”. for making award winning wines from Minnesota & Swenson varieties in Vermont. Both his Keynote Robin Kinney, and won double gold medals in the 2009 Assistant Commissioner of ICCWC. the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, delivered a The widely popular humorous tribute to the hard Winemakers Roundtable work ethic of Minnesota AG found a panel of award- producers saying, “it just winning winemakers isn’t work when you are discussing production pursuing your passion.” strategies for Marquette, The conference drew to a close with the inaugural the newest red cultivar presentation of the MGGA Gold Awards. released by the U of MN breeding program and From keynote speakers, presenters, honored guests, provided for tastes of vendors, attendees, Sheraton Hotel Staff, our many these wines to the nearly 200 session participants. volunteers, and, to the host CCC Committee for Lead by Gordon Rouse, ICCWC Coordinator and Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield, NYSAES, Cornell University, the panelists included Chris Granstom – Lincoln Peak Vineyard, Mark Wedge – Fieldstone Vineyards, and Peter Hemstad – Saint Croix Vineyards. The expanded Trade Show reported vendor satisfaction with the traffic; conference participants indicated 2-3 hours average time in the show and were pleased with the variety of exhibitors.

whose efforts we have to thank for planning this great conference, go the sincere thanks of your MGGA Board of Directors. The 2010 CCC was an outstanding Gold Standard event. As we begin preparations for the 7th Annual Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference…your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas are welcome! ☛ 4 Spring 2010

2010 CCC continued We wish to give special thanks to the following for their support and involvement in this year’s Conference. Feedback on all counts received superior marks.

MAJOR SPONSORS

EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS Agro- K Corporation K Fence, Inc. Scott Laboratories Weed Badger Division Minneapolis, MN Zumbro Falls, MN Petaluma, CA Marion, ND Agsource Laboratories Kaufman Container Sovereign Fine Art & Design Winterhaven Vineyard & Bonovel, WI Minneapolis, MN Waconia, MN Nursery ARTON Glass McClain Ozone Spec Trellising Janesville, MN Lively, VA Napa, CA Warminster, PA WS Packaging Group Th e Barrel Mill McIntosh Machine Tractor Supply Co. Algona, WI Avon, MN East Grand Forks, MN Brentwood, TN Brick Packaging MDT & Associates TRICOR Insurance Bergin Fruit & Nut Co. Traverse City, MI Robbinsdale, MN Dubuque, IA St. Paul, MN Chris’s Stuff , Inc. Midwest Grower Supply University of Minnesota Design Ink Plus Los Angeles, CA Stanberry, MO St. Paul, MN Red Wing, MN Clements Lumber Midwest Home Brewing VESTA Regional Center of Fieldstone Vineyards Morgan, MN St. Louis Park, MN Excellence Morgan, MN Crop Production Services Midwest Vineyard Supply Springfi eld, MO Galesville, WI Decatur, IL Crop Solutions MN Grape Growers Assn. MGGA extends special thanks to our board of directors, conference Blue Earth, MN Red Wing, MN volunteers and staff for their invaluable support, service and Double A Vineyards Minnesota Grown dedication. Th e following individuals are the core who work tirelessly Fredonia, NY St. Paul, MN to help make this event possible. DRS Manufacturing MN Dept of Agriculture Paula Soholt, Conference Director Jeff erson, IA St. Paul, MN Nicole Walsh, Conference Coordinator Falconer Vineyards & Winery Northeastern Vine Supply Rudy Jungwirth, Trade Show Manager Red Wing, MN Pawlet, VT Mark Wedge, Wine Stroll Manager G.W. Kent, Inc. Presque Isle Wine Cellars Peter Hemstad, Growers Track Ypsilanti, MI North East, PA Nicholas Smith, Wine Track Great River Vineyard & Prospero Equipment Corp John Th ull, Volunteers Manager Nursery Lake City, MN Pleasantville, NY Jenny Bradley, Catering Manager Mary & Randy Koll, Pre-Stroll Manager Photos from the Conference appearing in this issue Ronald Barnes, Finance generously provided by Terri’s (Ellering) Photography. Tom Martell, ex-offi cio

WINE STROLL PARTICIPANTS Indian Island Winery Richwood Winery Alemar Cheese Alexis Bailly Vineyard Fieldstone Vineyards Janesville, MN Callaway, MN Mankato, MN Hastings, MN Morgan, MN Mac’s Creek Seven Hawks Faribault Dairy Breezy Hills Winery Forestedge Winery Winery & Vineyard Vineyards Company Minden, Iowa Laporte, MN Lexington, NE Fountain City, WI Faribault, MN Cannon River Winery Garvin Heights Millner Heritage St. Croix Vineyards Prairie Hollow Farm Cannon Falls, MN Vineyards Vineyard & Winery & Winery Elgin, MN Carlos Creek Winery Winona, MN Kimball, MN Stillwater, MN Star Prairie Trout Alexandria, MN Glacial Ridge Winery Morgan Creek Vineyards Valley Vineyard Farm Crofut Family Spicer, MN & Winery Prescott, WI Star Prairie, WI Winery& Vineyard Goose Lake Farm & New Ulm, MN Warehouse Winery Stickney Hill Dairy Jordan, MN Winery Northern Vineyards Minneapolis, MN Kimball, MN Falconer Vineyards, Elk River, MN Stillwater, MN Woodland Hill Winery Stony Creek Dairy Winery & Nursery Hinterland Vineyards Parley Lake Winery Delano, MN Melrose, MN Red Wing, MN Clara City, MN Waconia, MN Volume 36, Number 1 5

MGGA Gold Awards Merriam Webster: Golden: “. . . of a high degree of excellence” by Tom Martell The Midwest cold climate grape & wine industry is three counties in Wisconsin. in its infancy. It’s dependent upon the interest and The northern boundary begins actions of professionals and volunteers alike to grow near St. Paul, Minnesota in the and flourish. north to Moline, Illinois in the south. The AVA is more than The MGGA has recognized four individuals for the double the size of the country high degree of excellence they have exhibited in the of Wales and fifty times greater advancement of northern viticulture. The four MGGA than Bordeaux. members were honored with MGGA Gold Awards presented at the 2010 Cold Climate Grape & Wine Paula Soholt was recognized for her work as Cold Conference on Feb. 13, 2010 in Bloomington, MN. Climate Grape & Wine Conference Director for 2009 and 2010. Both Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield was conferences were exceptional recognized for her work as an in providing quality educational enologist and educator, diplomat opportunities in northern viticulture, and mentor for Minnesota and a very positive industry image regional winemakers and growers to stakeholders and excellent from 2001-2009 as Enology overall value to attendees. These Project Leader at the University conferences were organized and staffed essentially with of Minnesota. Her impact on the volunteers. Paula’s outstanding leadership coordinated Minnesota and Midwest industry is profound and will their efforts to achieve excellence. Congratulations to continue to radiate from her new position at Cornell each of you! University. Gordon Rouse was recognized for his work as Chair of the First WINTERHAVEN International Cold Climate Wine V ineyard Nursery Competition (ICCWC) held in August of 2009 in St. Paul. This watershed event for northern VarietiesVarieties IInclude:nclude: viticulture was organized by the MGGA, MN State Fair and U of MN. La Crescent Petite Amie St. Croix Frontenac Gris Edelweiss Sabrevois Gordon personally devoted three years in preparation Prairie Star Louise Swenson King of the North for this event. The Committee established the rules of Brianna Marquette Somerset Seedless Order St. Pepin Frontenac Blue Bell the competition, secured a panel of international wine NOW judges, and ensured that all operational requirements For 2010 were met for a credible and well respected competition. Planting Planning for the second annual ICCWC in August, RayRay AA.. WWinterinter 18103-628th Ave. 2010 is underway and Gordon has graciously agreed Janesville, MN 56048 to continue as the ICCWC Chair. Home: 507-234-5469 Dr. Marvin Seppanen was recognized as the Minnesota Mobile: 507-317-7914 project leader in the establishment of the Upper — PLEASE CALL WITH ORDER — Mississippi River Valley AVA. This American Viticultural Area is the largest Appellation of Origin in the world Email: [email protected] today encompassing some or all of ten counties in Minnesota, nine in Illinois, eighteen in Iowa, and twenty Website: www.winterhavengrapevines.com 6 Spring 2010 2010 Midwest Wine Stroll and People’s Choice Award by Karyn Vidmar Island music…toes in the water…beach music...It was an evening of fun, food and fellowship at the 2010 Midwest Wine Stroll. The event offered samplings from over 24 wineries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. To contribute to the merriment, this year’s event also included a variety of cheeses and fresh water fish from Minnesota and Wisconsin Opening in 2010 based businesses. Downtown Redwood Falls, MN Cold Climate Conference attendees as well as the general public registered for the Wine Stroll. Attendance at the 252 E. 2nd Street sold out event was up 200 over last year. The outstanding participation illustrates the growing interest in Midwest wines in the historic Ford Garage and cold hardy grapes. — New Location — The Wine Stroll Preview offered the opportunity for senators and legislative representatives, marketing consultants, Same Great Wines agricultural officials, tourism specialists, magazine authors, Wines made from 100% Minnesota grown grapes & fruit. television producers and radio personalities to experience Midwest wines and learn about winery agritourism in Minnesota. 507-627-WINE (9463) The highlight of the evening was the People’s Choice Award competition. Participants voted for their favorite wine in each visit: www.fieldstonevineyards.com of four categories: Red, White, Fruit, Specialty / Dessert. for hours, events and other wine details There were 230 ballots cast (~50% of attendees voted). People’s Choice Award “Best of Show” Winners: Red: St. Croix Vineyards, Stillwater, MN, Marquette Specialty / Dessert: St. Croix Vineyards, Stillwater, MN, 2003 Frontenac Port

White: Mac’s Creek Vineyards, Lexington, NE, Edelweiss 2009

Fruit: Forestedge Winery, LaPorte, MN, Rhubarb Special thanks go to Mark Wedge, Midwest Wine Stroll coordinator, Nancy Horan, registration table volunteer, student volunteers, participating wineries, and all others that had a hand in making the event a success. Lastly, I’d like to thank the Midwest Wine Stroll voters for casting their ballots; without them (you), there would be no People’s Choice Award! Volume 36, Number 1 7 SKUJINS-675 FOR MINNESOTA VITICULTURE by Alexandru Bortnov I have been growing Skujins-675 for the last 6 years. Despite recommendations from researchers and I would like to bring to light some of my observations growers from Latvia and Russia who use it as a table about this cultivar as I have grown it in Minnesota. grape, Plocher and Parke feel it makes a decent varietal Skujins-675 (synonyms : S-675, “Moskovskiy wine (1). Moreover, in my opinion, small to medium Ustoichiviyi”, translated from Russian as “Resistant sized berries that are seeded containing very sticky in Moscow” or “Steady in Moscow”) was selected by juice, does not suggest a good table grape. However, Latvian breeder Kaspars Skujins at the Tymiryazev’s because of its moderate to low sugar levels (from my Academy of Agriculture (TCXA) in Moscow, Russia. observations in the range of 18-18.9%), I do not believe it has enough sugar to make a high quality varietal wine My interest in this variety came first when I learned with adequate alcohol. that it comes from a complex cross of different types of Vitis, to include, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Amurensis, However, from my experience, what is interesting about Vitis Riparia and Vitis Labrusca. The actual parents this variety and why it may offer something of importance of Skugins-675 are a Muscat type, Pearl of Csaba X to Minnesota viticulture is its remarkably low acid levels. Amurskiy and the old Minnesota variety “Alpha”. In I did some measurements on this variety and by the genetic terms, “Pearl of Csaba” is a cross of ”Muscat end of September the pH was 3.6. In comparison all Ottonel” and “Bronnerstraube”, both Vitis Vinifera other local varietals measured from my vineyard varied cultivars. “Amurskiy” is a cross of two Vitis Amurensis between 3.0-3.4. Only the extremely early ripening cultivars, and “Alpha” is a cross of Vitis Riparia and Somerset Seedless had a similar pH. Thus the low Vitis Labrusca cultivars. Three of these strains of Vitis acids of Skujins-675, when used for blending, may be incorporated hardiness and disease resistance. The able to bring down acidity and dramatically improve Vitis Vinifera brought quality, a light Muscat, pineapple the quality of some of our local white varieties, most of taste and moderate acidity. which are known to have chronically high acids. According to data developed from grape growers from For example, Prairie Star or St.Pepin usually have a Baltic Republics, Belarus and Russia (1) and data from Brix around 23-24% in my vineyard, but the pH usually T. Plocher and B. Parke (2) this variety appears to be runs in the range of 3.2-3.4. If we blend these 50/50 very hardy. From my 6 years of observations, it has varieties with Skujins-675, for example, the Brix will go survived with minimal damage and has been productive down to around 21%, but the pH of the juice will go up, following – 35° F. In my vineyard this variety has shown perhaps, to the range of 3.45-3.5. moderate vigor, good productivity with moderately loose As, is well known, it is important for us to bring down small to medium sized clusters of small to medium the acidity of local wines and I believe the wine from the sized amber berries. Skujins-675 has the ability to blends of Prairie Star and St. Pepin with Skujins-675 ripen early, usually by the beginning of September. can improve the wines of these varieties dramatically. Nevertheless, I often wait to harvest until the second In fact, I have seen this previously. In 2007 and 2009, half of September to achieve a better pH. when I had a considerable crop of Skujins grapes Skujins-675 has shown very good disease resistance and made some experimental wines, in both these with minimal damage from powdery mildew, downy years, the results were the same, bringing down the mildew and from anthracnose. I have not observed any acids of blended wines and improving their quality. damage from leaf phylloxera. I noted a little cracking of In conclusion, I believe Skujins-675 should be more berries during the last, somewhat dry season of 2009. widely grown in Minnesota, because it has lower acid I have not seen that S-675 has died back on its own than most of our white varieties. In fact, it is difficult to roots and believe it does not need to be grafted. Thus find low acid grapes in this climate and thus this grape the vine appears to be well adapted to this climate. could offer us an important potential characteristic for blending with local varieties. I grow these grapes without any winter protection on multiple trunks in a fan trellising system. Other trellises References: 1. Multiple Skujins descriptions translated will likely work as well for commercial purposes, but from Russian Web Sites from my observations I think it will do best with low 2. T. Plocher, and B. Parke, Northern Winework: Growing cordon training. Grapes and Making Wine in Cold Climates, 2001. 8 Spring 2010

even a high percentage of these buds are left to sprout FROM THE VINEYARD and produce fruit the vine cannot possibly ripen all this by John Marshall fruit. In addition the vine may well go into next winter Winter is waning now. The snows, that have hung weakened, drained from the attempt to ripen a huge with us all winter this year, are beginning to melt. and what will turn out to be a poorly ripened, low quality The threat of the damaging cold of January is largely crop. Pruning back the vine, balancing it between its past. Unlike 2009 when there were plenty of places inherent strength and energy and its ability to ripen reporting extreme cold and cold injury, 2010 looks to fruit is the basic function of winter pruning. be mostly without bud damage. The snow cover held For the uninitiated, terrified to go in and begin pruning, up, thus the roots of vines, young and old, are insulated there are books, web sites, DVDs and instructional from cold and likely to be fine as well. It looks like we workshops available. There are even professional growers have survived another winter, this one with pruners in the state who can expertly prune your vines much promise for the coming year. for a fee. The time has come to prune and once you Now is the time to pull the pruners out and start pruning begin it is not so difficult as it seems. vines. The threat of extreme cold is over and by now we know if there has likely been any cold injury. In If your mailing label still says 2009 or older, 2010, the extreme cold here at GRV was well below -30° F. As a result I had to take this into consideration it’s time to renew for 2010. when pruning, leaving extra buds on varieties I thought might have suffered injury. Don’t miss a single issue and renew today! Minnesota may be one of the few places in the U.S. THIS IS THE “LAST CHANCE FREE where grapes are grown and -22° F. represents a mild winter extreme. That is what we experienced here ISSUE” to 2009 members. this past winter and thus I am expecting close to zero bud loss this spring and am pruning and leaving no Please visit our website today extra buds to compensate for injured buds. I am fairly confident that there was little loss this past winter. www.mngrapes.org Nevertheless, it is time to prune and getting it done before the vines begin to break bud is our next job. It is a most intimidating task for the newcomer. We have planted, fertilized, weeded, sometimes watered, and generally coaxed our new vines toward maturity. It can seem unnatural, even brutal to begin chopping it up now to train it for the job that lies ahead, producing quality grapes. Nevertheless that is what we now must do. I recall that I had a friend of mine who had some grape varieties we did not have. He would let me have the wood if I would prune for him. It was a deal we could not refuse but the pruning that we did was too ferocious. “I can’t watch this,” He would say. “I know you know what you’re doing but I can’t watch this.” He would go off and busy himself with other work while my son Don and I pruned away. Even so, it is important to remember that from all the new wood that grew and hardened off to reddish brown “fruiting wood” last fall each bud thereon has the ability to produce at least two clusters of grapes. If your vines grew well it may well have several hundred viable fruiting buds waiting to produce fruit. If all or Volume 36, Number 1 9

It is also time to estimate your crop and begin to make arrangements to sell it. Before you approach a winery about your crop you need to estimate how many pounds you may have. As a guideline you might consider how may vines of a variety you have that you expect to bear a crop. If they are well pruned and in good condition multiply the number of vines of each variety you have by 10 lbs. of fruit/vine. Most blocks have some vines bearing well and others coming along much more slowly. Young vines cannot ripen much fruit and the uncertainties of weather, raccoons, birds and fungus can easily reduce the final crop. Thus estimate conservatively. It is not well to estimate that you will be coming in with 2500 lbs. of fruit and show up in September with 700. It is easy to do and I speak from experience. Once you have an estimate, contact wineries far and near and see where the interest is. Some wineries are finding one wine sells very well and they are short and in other cases want to experiment with new varieties, ones you may have. New wineries are opening every year and none will have enough fruit to fill their needs entirely. The industry needs your fruit and now is the time to begin making arrangements. If you find you cannot find a home for your crop, get in touch. I can probably help.

GREAT RIVER VINEYARD’S ANNUAL GRAPE PRUNING INSTRUCTION CLINIC EXPERT INSTRUCTION ON “HOW TO PRUNE GRAPEVINES” SAT. MARCH 27th OR SAT. APRIL 3rd Winery & Vineyard 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tasting Room • Gift Shop • Art Gallery • ONE HOUR OF CLASSROOM • EXPERT DEMONSTRATIONS Open April through December • HANDS-ON PRUNING Located in the SW Metro, 1 mile $25/person and $15 for each additional south of Lydia on MN Hwy 13. Th is event does fi ll up quickly. Pre-registration is necessary. 21646 Langford Ave. (Hwy 13) Located 12 miles south of Red Wing; OR Jordan, MN 55352 4 miles north of Lake City along Hwy. 61 Call Toll Free 1-877-345-3531 with your Credit Card info to reserve your spot. WWW.GREATRIVERVINEYARD.COM Email: [email protected] Great River Vineyard & Nursery We take Visa, Mastercard & Discover 36580 Hwy. 61 Blvd. www.crofutwinery.com Lake City, MN 55041 Phone: 952-492-3227 (492-FAB7) 10 Spring 2010

Free Educational Grape-Seed Extract Kills Opportunity Laboratory Leukemia Cells Proving Value Of Natural Compounds April 17, 2010 • 10AM ScienceDaily (Jan. 1, 09) — An extract from grape seeds forces laboratory leukemia cells to commit cell suicide, Minnesota Arboretum according to researchers from the University of Kentucky. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska, MN They found that within 24 hours, 76 percent of leukemia “Establishing a Commercial Vineyard - cells had died after being exposed to the extract. Costs and Expected Income - and Marketing” The investigators, who report their findings in the January Mike White with the Iowa State University Extension 1, 2009, issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the Service has graciously agreed to conduct a 1 hour American Association for Cancer Research, also teased workshop & ½ hour Q&A, geared for the financial apart the cell signaling pathway associated with use of management of establishing a vineyard. grape seed extract that led to cell death, or apoptosis. They found that the extract activates JNK, a protein that This is a free event to MGGA members regulates the apoptotic pathway. and their guests. While grape seed extract has shown activity in a number RSVP is not required, of laboratory cancer cell lines, including skin, breast, colon, but is encouraged, by April 13 to: lung, stomach and prostate cancers, no one had tested [email protected] or 1-651-764-5599 the extract in hematological cancers nor had the precise mechanism for activity been revealed.

LAST CHANCE ISSUE IF YOUR LABEL SAYS 2009 “These results could have implications for the incorporation Join or renew by visiting www.mngrapes.org or of agents such as grape seed extract into prevention or complete & mail this form and your $45 check to: treatment of hematological malignancies and possibly MGGA (Minnesota Grape Growers Assn.) other cancers,” said the study’s lead author, Xianglin Shi, 433 West Third Street, Suite 1 Ph.D., professor in the Graduate Center for Toxicology at Red Wing, MN 55066 the University of Kentucky. “What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category,” he said. Shi adds, however, that the research is not far enough along to suggest that people should eat grapes, grape seeds, or grape skin in excess to stave off cancer. “This is very promising research, but it is too early to say this is chemo-protective.” Hematological cancers – leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma – accounted for an estimated 118,310 new cancer cases and almost 54,000 deaths in 2006, ranking these cancers as the fourth leading cause of cancer incidence and death in the U.S. Given that epidemiological evidence shows that eating vegetables and fruits helps prevent cancer development, Shi and his colleagues have been studying chemicals known as proanthocyanidins in fruits that contribute to this effect. Shi has found that apple peel extract contains these flavonoids, which have antioxidant activity, and which cause apoptosis in several cancer cell lines but not Volume 36, Number 1 11 in normal cells. Based on those studies, and findings from — SAVE THE DATE — other researchers that grape seed extract reduces breast tumors in rats and skin tumors in mice, they looked at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition effect of the compound in leukemia cells. (ICCWC) Using a commercially available grape seed extract, Shi exposed leukemia cells to the extract in different doses The ICCWC extends the invitation to commercial and found the marked effect in causing apoptosis in these wineries to participate in this second annual International cells at one of the higher doses. Cold Climate Wine Competition held for wines made from cold-hardy grape cultivars. That is, varieties They also discovered that the extract does not affect normal cells, although they don’t know why. considered generally hardy without winter protection in central Minnesota (USDA zone 4). The researchers then used pharmacologic and genetic approaches to determine how the extract induced For our second year event, there are 32 different apoptosis. They found that the extract strongly activated competition categories, including Riparia, French & the JNK pathway, which then led to up-regulation of Cip/ American Hybrids, Sparkling, Specialty & Fortified, p21, which controls the cell cycle. Non-Grape, and 100% Cold Hardy Grape wines.` They checked this finding by using an agent that inhibited Entries open on May 1, 2010 and close 4:30 PM on JNK, and found that the extract was ineffective. Using a Monday August 16, 2010. The competition will be held genetic approach – silencing the JNK gene – also disarmed on August 24, 2010. grape seed extract’s lethal attack in leukemia cells. If you have any questions, please contact: “This is a natural compound that appears to have relatively important properties,” Shi said. Gordon Rouse, Competition Coordinator, at Adapted from materials provided by American Association for Cancer Research. [email protected] • www.iccwc.org http://www.sciencedaily.com releases/2008/12/081231005257.htm

Quote from T.V. Munson Northern Grape Breeder & Author Vineyards “There is all the great Northwest region, consisting of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Dakota STILLWATER and parts of Wyoming and Montana, that has a • MINNESOTA • superior climate for extra early grapes, if they can be obtained hardy enough to endure the winters... Since 1977, we have specialized in the production of wines There is nothing to prevent it from becoming a great S from locally-grown grapes. Current offerings include grape country, for the material certainly exists which St. Croix, St. Pepin, , Laura’s Laughter, can be developed into very excellent varieties. All Edelweiss, Frontenac, Foch, La Crescent, Pinot noir, the streams of that territory have growing along Pinot gris, Prairie Star, and Gewurztraminer. their borders an abundance of wild Vitis vulpina.” *Contributor’s Note: “Vitis vulpina” was an earlier name for Vitis riparia. ** Editor’s Note: The above passage was published in 1909, almost For Harvest 2010, we offer grapes, pressed juice, and bulk exactly 100 years ago, in Munson’s book “Foundations of American wine to wineries in the Upper Midwest. Viticulture”. As is well known this book became the “bible” for Elmer Swenson and the above quote may well have been the inspiration that motivated Elmer into a lifetime of grape breeding. In any case For quantities and pricing, contact: working from Texas, the above passage shows Munson to be an Robin at 651-430-1032 during early August, amazing visionary. or email to [email protected] Thanks to MGGA member Pat Pierquet for uncovering and passing along the above item. 12 Spring 2010 GRAPES AT MILES CITY, MONTANA by Bob Thaden, Tongue River Vineyard, Miles City, MT Greg, I cannot remember if I ever responded or not, I’ve they all are rather upright. We’ve had nice crops of been so busy since August building our winery. I have Chard’ and for two years. Of 10,000 feet of plants in the ground from 1 to 5 years old. Obviously I trellis, we bury approx. 500 feet by hand, takes 2 days don’t know about the one year olds since this is their to prune, till, bury, and about a half-day to re-trellis in first winter and I’ve not been out to make sample cuts the spring. to check for greenness. Our hardiest are: ELMER VARIETIES: Frontenac: of a couple hundred, only had a few die Swenson Red: Had one very good year, but otherwise back; some occasional dead arms. has died back each year to the ground. Frontenac gris: Very hardy. St. Croix and Prairie Star: 5-years old, finally produced La Crescent: Read that it’s a slow starter, but not here. small crops this year. Very strong. LaCrosse: Will be ripped out; died back every year for Marquette: Should crop this year (third year); more 5 years. one-year total die off than any other variety, but once St. Pepin: doing quite well. Had great crop last year. established, does very well. Swenson White and Louise: Have been painfully slow JUICE GRAPES: to establish, and despite 3-4 years, no crop yet. King of the North: Can’t kill it! Has great crops of juice Foch: Looked good, as well as Millot the third year. The grapes. last two years have mostly died back or died completely. Blue Bell: Cropped first time (4 years old) last year. Big Am trying an ultra-low (12”) with VSP with 100 feet chlorosis problems here (soil pH 7.8-8.1). of Millot. Otherwise, these will be leaving. We really Somerset Seedless and Mars: Produced first time this like Foch. We think it just screams for bloody meat last year because they were buried. (pairing!) more than any other red wine. But if it won’t grow consistently…..I’ll murder it! TABLE GRAPES: (all buried) So, the bottom line is that the Frontenacs are my current Jupiter: Fairly strong, produces large oval, almost mainstay for dry wines, red and white. I generally vinify wintergreen flavored grapes. the Gris in the style of —bone dry, ML Vanessa: are the color of Somerset—a pink grape, fermented, oaked. La Crescent served as an off-dry small but productive. wine. Marquette will also become my other powerhouse dry red. I’ll probably start training horizontal trunks for Neptune: are very weak, slow growing and will probably Swenson Red and bury them too because we love them, be replaced by our crown jewel. but most of the rest of the Swenson grapes are going Glenora: which has wonderful crops of 3/8” to 7/16” and will be replaced with Marquette, if it’s as good a dark blue-black grapes in large full clusters; These are wine as they say. I DO have a few Edelweiss and Kay all seedless, and the Glenora make great raisins. We till Gray and Brianna which we just planted last year, and both sides of the row, fall prune in late October, then pin will report on their behavior in the future. I also plan to to the ground and bury with the tilling soil. Sometimes I try some Haskaps (honeyberry) from Canada planted flatten out a 36” grow tube above them before piling on this year, if I get my act together. the mound of soil. U of Arkansas study suggests that In addition, we have a significant planting of sand 6” of soil creates approx. a zone 9 winter environment. cherries, which make a very nice port-style cherry wine, We’ve had great survival with buried vines. or a highly tannic dry cherry. The dry would be better Chardonnay and Riesling: also buried, which are now oaked. I’ll bring a sample of 2009 dry sand cherry, just going into their 5th season. Like the other buried grapes, bottled for the NDGGA today. planted horizontally, trained to high wire and trailing. Editor’s Note: This letter originally appeared on the North This year I will train them and perhaps the seedless Dakota Grape Growers email list. It seemed so interesting table grapes to a 32” mid wire with VSP instead, since that I thought it would be of general interest to cold climate growers. Volume 36, Number 1 13 Summary of the MGGA 2009 ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 23, 2010 Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN The meeting was called to order by President Tom Martell. There were approximately 120 attendees. Tom commended welcomed all attendees, recognized new growers and applauded MN wineries for providing a market for Minnesota grown grapes. He invited winery owners in attendance to stand and be recognized. The following business was conducted: • International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC) – MGGA member Gordon Rouse, Chair of the inaugural • President’s Report – Tom Martell reviewed 2009 competition, briefed the membership on this successful MGGA activities including the Cold Climate Conference, event which is unique in the world for its emphasis on cold International Wine Competition, MGGA picnic, State Fair climate fruit. Sixteen states participated with 59 wineries Booth and completion of MGGA Strategic Plan. submitting 312 total entries. Entrants included 19 wineries • Annual Meeting Minutes for 2008 – approved as written from Minnesota. The 2nd annual competition is planned by Secretary Rick Mollin. for August of 2010. • Annual Treasurer’s Report – reviewed and approved as • Annual Cold Climate Conference – Paula Soholt, presented by Treasurer Ron Barnes. Conference Director for 2009 and 2010, reviewed key metrics from the 2009 conference and provided a preview • 2010 MGGA Budget – reviewed and approved as of events planned for the 2010 conference. presented by Treas. Ron Barnes. • MGGA Picnic and State Fair – Events Chair Cyndi • MGGA Membership Statistics – reviewed by Treas. Ron Ross reported on the MGGA’s 2009 summer events. Barnes. She thanked the Dickerman’s for hosting the MGGA picnic at Woodland Hills Winery. The 2010 picnic will be • Election of Board Members – As proposed by Nominating hosted by Ray and Lisa Winter at Indian Island Winery. Committee Chair, Dave Duddleston, the membership Cyndi thanked the volunteers who assisted her as Event elected 8 new board members and four incumbent Chair. Cyndi noted that this year’s State Fair booth was members. The new members include: Tami Bredeson, enhanced with the display of award winning wines from Robert Dubiel, Dr. Gary Gardner, John Maloney, Rob the International Cold Climate Wine Competition. Nelson, Larry Olson, Terri Savaryn, Bruce Smith, and • AVA Update – MGGA Librarian Marv Seppanen reported Incumbent directors elected to another term are: Kori that the Upper Mississippi River Valley Viticulture Area has Knudsen, Tom Mohn, Alan Olson and Cyndi Ross. Total received Federal designation as an American Viticulture board membership is now 23. Area. He discussed opportunities that now exist to use • Elmer Swenson Scholarship Fund – Announcement the designation in relationship to wine trails and other that the MGGA has established an Elmer Swenson Fund marketing strategies. that will provide scholarship money for viticulture students. • Minnesota Farm Winery Association (MFWA) – MFWA The fund will receive a portion of the royalties from nursery liaison, Mark Wedge, recommended prospective winery sales of Swenson varieties. MGGA director Bruce Smith operators consider membership in the MFWA at the will chair a committee that will manage the scholarship point they acquire their bond and winery license. Mark fund. announced SAVOR, a new MFWA sponsored event, which will be held at Canterbury Downs on April 24, 2010. The • Strategic Plan – President Tom Martell and director Kori afternoon will feature wines and beers from Minnesota Knudsen presented the MGGA Strategic Plan for 2010- along with Minnesota Grown foods. 2015; the plan will rely heavily on the work of committees, chaired by MGGA directors and populated with MGGA • MGGA Publications – Tom Martell said the MGGA publication, Growing Grapes in Minnesota is due for re- members and interested parties. printing; the MGGA Board is requesting input for changes • Recognition of Board and Paid Staff – President Tom and help with a marketing plan for book sales to include Martell emphasized the importance of a strong working ISBN coding that will allow for distribution to book stores Board of Directors. He also acknowledged the contributions and gift shops. of the paid staff including John Marshall as Notes from Adjourn 11:30AM the North editor, Nicole Walsh as Conference Coordinator Respectfully Submitted by Terri Savaryn for Rick Mollin, and Cheri Anderson as Membership manager. Secretary 14 Spring 2010 MGGA 2009 Annual Meeting MGGA Board Meeting Minutes Winter Symposium January 28, 2010 by Cyndi Ross Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis MN It’s always a question mark whether the annual meeting at the Present: Thomas W. Martell-President, Paula Soholt-Vice MN Landscape Arboretum will occur on the coldest, nastiest President, Ronald Barnes-Treasurer, Richard C. Mollin- Saturday of the year. Sometimes we luck out. Not this Secretary, Robert P. Dubiel, David J. Duddleston, Kori year. An ice storm that occurred around Saturday, January Knudsen, Dr. Jim Luby-ex officio, Tom Mohn, Rob Nelson, 23rd kept quite a few members unable to even leave their Alan K. Olson, Larry Olson, Cyndi L. Ross, Teresa Savaryn, driveways. Those hardy souls that did attend the annual Mark Wedge, Lawrence Westerberg, Dr. Gary Gardner, and meeting portion in the morning voted in a record number of John Maloney new Board members, reviewed our strategic plans for the future, and enjoyed a hot lunch with Minnesota wines. Absent: Dale Olmstead, Bruce Smith, Tami Bredeson, Nick Following lunch, the education portion of the day began Smith, John Thull with Peter Hemstad and Nick Smith giving an update on Newly elected board members were introduced, welcomed University work, as well as Peter’s slides on muscadine and commended for their collective willingness to volunteer grapes in Florida and trenching grapes in China. The their service on behalf of the MGGA. growers’ panel discussion on transitioning to a commercial Mr. Maloney reported on a Specialty Crop Grant Initiative vineyard that followed was well received. stakeholders meeting he attended in Vermont in November A big thank-you goes out to the generous participants, who on behalf of the MGGA. were willing to share their successes as well as (and probably more important to beginning growers) their pain and hard- Discussion by the board of directors regarding possible grants knock lessons. The discussion was taped, thanks to MGGA for federal funding. member Dan Peterson, who answered our last minute plea Discussion of five proposed legislative issues. Motion by for a videographer. We hope to be able to offer a DVD of it Rick Mollin, seconded by Larry Westerberg to identify MGGA in the near future, with help from Adam Reinking. issues for 2010. Motioned passed by majority vote. The day ended with the traditional wine and cheese A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and proposed 2010 reception. MGGA Budget offered by Alan Olson, seconded by Larry Thanks again to the panel volunteers, including Chris, who Westerberg, passed unanimously. could not make it due to the weather: Cynthia Bennett, Rich Ms. Ross reviewed the 2009 MGGA Annual Meeting Winter Ceplecha, Rudy Jungwirth, Scott Ludford, Chad Stoltenberg, Symposium/Annual Meeting conducted at the Landscape Chris Ellering Arboretum January 23, 2010. “With a Tweezers in One Hand Ms. Soholt discussed the present status of the MGGA Cold and a Book in the Other” Climate Conference designated for February 11-13, 2010 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. This biography, authored by A report on the candidates for the vacant U of M Enology Penny Krosch, Project Leader position was discussed by Dr. Luby. records the Discussion regarding MNFWA Savor wine event to be held life and grape April 24th at Canterbury Downs. MGGA has offered to breeding participate. experience of The board resolution regarding the Elmer Swenson Wisconsin grape Scholarship Fund will be brought to the next meeting of the pioneer Elmer Board by David Duddleston. Swenson. The newly developed MGGA BOD organization was The Book may discussed in detail by Ms. Knudsen. be purchased There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned through MGGA. at 9:40 PM. Email: [email protected] Respectfully Submitted, Richard C. Mollin, Secretary Volume 36, Number 1 15 Falconer Vineyards Winery & Nursery Specializing in northern winter hardy varieties by the University of Minnesota and Elmer Swenson.

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