Wine-Grower-News #64 October 24, 2008 (Next Newsletter in Two Weeks!)

Midwest Grape & Wine Industry Institute: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Wine

Information in this issue includes:

2,4-D Resistant Grapes on the Horizon Governor Chet Culver Proclaims November Iowa Wine Industry Month A Good Idea to Reduce Wire Tension Before Winter TTB Expo 2009 Scheduled for June 24-26, 2009 – Cincinnati, Ohio Small Scale Commercial Wine Making Workshop Pic’s from 10-18-08 Belleview Hollow Vineyard Tour Reminder: 2008 Call for NCSARE Farmer Rancher Grant Proposals Show n Tell Still Time to Apply for $400 Vine/Wine Student Tuition Scholarships Iowa Wine Trail - Holiday Wine & Food Event - Nov. 1 & 2 USDA Farm Bill - Landmark Legislation for Specialty Crop Growers Study Shows Texas Wine Industry Has a 1.35 Billion Dollar Economic Impact Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, MO – Largest Crop Ever! U.S. Wine Consumption Grows for a Record 15th Consecutive Year Comments from Readers Neeto-Keeno WWW Stuff

2,4-D Resistant Grapes on the Horizon

Dr. Robert Skirvin , professor of horticulture in the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Urbana-Champaign has used genetic engineering methods to patent “Improved Chancellor” that is resistant to 2,4-D. A gene from a soil bacterium that was found to digest 2,4-D pesticide residues in the soil was inserted into regular Chancellor grapes by Dr. Steve Farrand a University of Illinois microbiologist. Dr. Margaret Norton oversaw the tissue culture of this new grape.

Dr. Skirvin hopes to start growing the new Improved Chancellor in isolation plots in 2009. The research for this project has been funded internally by the University of Illinois and they hold the patent for Improved Chancellor. Dr. Skirvin is looking for outside funding sources to take the research to the next level. You can read the entire news release here:

Herbicide-resistant grape could revitalize Midwest wine industry, 10-14-08 Univ. of IL: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/uoia-hrg101408.php

1

Iowa Governor Chet Culver Proclaims November Iowa Wine Industry Month

There are over 70 licensed native wineries in our state, and the financial impact of our industry is increasing. To celebrate Iowa's growing wine industry Governor Chet Culver has signed a proclamation declaring November Iowa Wine Industry Month. Check out the proclamation here: https://iowawinegrowers.org/pdfs/nov_winemonth_proclamation.pdf

Governor Culver

Diagram from “How to Build Orchard & Vineyard Trellise’s” U.S. Steel, Pittsburg, PA

A Good Idea to Reduce Wire Tension Before Winter

High tensile trellis fruiting wires (not catch wires) are normally tightened to a tension of 200 to 250 pounds. A tension above 250 pounds is not needed and can damage some of the fasteners used to construct the trellis. A 80º - 20ºF drop in temperature on a 12.5 ga. high tensile wire 500’ long can increase the wire tension by 130 pounds. It is a common practice to loosen up those trellis wires before cold temperatures start occurring or fasteners can pop out and brace posts will begin to move.

As shown in the diagram, it is possible to measure the approximate tension on any high-tensile wire anywhere on the trellis by constructing a simple homemade tension tester. Using a straight piece of ¾” by 2” board 42” inches long, drive two nails on a straight line into the board spaced 40” apart at points A and B. Drive a third nail ½” below the line from A to B at point C. With nails A and B

2 touching the wire, attach a spring or electronic hand scale on the center of the wire and pull it down until the wire touches the nail at C. Read the number of pounds necessary to pull the wire to point C and multiply by 20. For example, as illustrated in the figure above, a pull of 12.5 lbs multiplied by 20 would equal a tension of 250 pounds on the wire.

TTB Expo 2009 Scheduled for June 24-26, 2009 – Cincinnati, Ohio

TTB (Alcohol and Tax & Trade Bureau) Expo 2008 was by all accounts a huge success that far exceeded our expectations. Close to 550 people attended the 43 educational sessions and visited our 16 exhibition booths. The Expo was a clear indication of the importance TTB places on educating and communicating with our regulated industry members. The feedback received on the Expo surveys was overwhelmingly positive. Close to 98 percent of the respondents said that they would come back to another TTB Expo in the future.

They have already started planning for TTB Expo 2009. It will be held June 24 – 26, 2009, back at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky, just minutes away from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

In response to the feedback we received in the TTB Expo 2008 surveys, they will be offering more targeted sessions and adding more detailed information to the sessions. There will be a greater number of exhibition booths in 2009. Attendees will be have more opportunities to ask questions and interact with the TTB employees. Additional new features will be announced in the coming months.

Official TTB Announcement: http://www.ttb.gov/conference/expo09.shtml

Only 6 seats left in this class! Small Scale Commercial Wine Making Workshop

When: 9:00 AM 4:00 PM, Friday & Saturday November 14 & 15, 2008 Where: Heartland Harvest Winery, 2116 290th Ave. Ft. Madison, IA 52627 319-372-7552, http://www.heartlandharvestwinery.com Cost: $335 each, 16 person maximum. Price includes text and reference manual, Friday and Saturday lunches and refreshments & Friday’s wine reception. Pre-registration: by check required to reserve a place: Make checks out to ISU Extension. Send to the Warren County ISU Extension office, 909 E. 2nd Ave, Suite E, Indianola, IA 50125. Further information: Mike White at 515-961-6237 or [email protected] Motel: Comfort Inn & Suites in is offering a special rate of $69/night for this workshop. Just call 319-372-6800 and ask for the Wine rate. This motel is located approximately 2.5 miles southwest of the winery at the junction of Hwy 61 & 2, 6169 Reve Court in Ft. Madison. (Above) Alan Dillard speaking at 2004 Agenda: Two days of intensive coverage of the art and Iowa Wine Growers Annual Conference

3 technology of producing quality grape wines that will include the following topics:

Grape selection & quality Oak barrels or alternatives in fermentation & aging Equipment types, costs & uses Bottling & labeling of wines Winery cleanliness/hygiene Overview of wine styles & marketing issues Laboratory equipment & procedures for must/wine analysis Winery design issues White/blush/red/desert wine production Demonstrations & hands-on use of lab equipment Must/wine treatments for clarity, stability and post fermentation storage/aging

A wine reception will be held at the Heartland Harvest Winery from 4 to 5:30 PM on Friday evening. Feel free to bring a bottle of your wine to share with others. A 6:30 PM group dinner reservation has been made that same evening at a local restaurant for those so inclined to attend.

Primary Instructor: Alan Dillard is the owner/winemaker at Limestone Creek Winery in Jonesboro, Illinois. He has been growing grapes and making wine since 1970, commercially since 1988. Alan has taught at two community colleges and has worked for Southern Illinois University in viticultural research. He also does independent viticulture and enology consulting. Alan has done many of these classes in Iowa in the past. They have been well attended and the after workshop comments have always been very good.

Mike White, ISU Extension Viticulture specialist will be present and assisting Alan during this class. Mike will be glad to discuss or answer any Iowa vine/wine wine industry questions you may have.

Please note: Enrollees will receive a text and reference material in advance and should prepare a list of questions or concerns prior to attending this class.

A Special Thanks: to MTD & Associates for their help in sponsoring this event: http://www.mdtgrow.com/

Car Pool: We currently have people coming from Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and . Maybe we can hook some you up with a ride.

Reminder: 2008 Call for NCSARE Farmer Rancher Grant Proposals

Download grant applications: http://sare.org/ncrsare/prod.htm

Deadline for receipt of proposals: December 1, 2008

More information or to receive a hard copy of the call, contact:

North Central Region SARE University of , PO Box 830840 13A Activities Bldg, 1734 N 34th St, Lincoln NE 68583-0840 Phone: 1-800-529-1342 or (402) 472-0809, E-mail: [email protected]

North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education strengthens rural communities, increases farmer / rancher profitability, and improves the environment by supporting research and education. http://sare.org/ncrsare/default.htm

4 Pic’s from 10-18-08 Belleview Hollow Vineyard Tour

I want to thank DRS Manufacturing (Paul & Dave Klodd) for giving me a “Free” ride down to Belleview Hollow Vineyards near Nebo, Illinois this past Saturday to attend the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association (IGGVA) and the Western Illinois Grape Producers Association Cooperative (WIGPAC) vineyard tour, hog roast and wine tasting. DRS manufactures and sells the NetterGetter (vineyard netting machine) and Nukeaweed (vineyard weed sprayer). It was a long day and a long trip (560 mile round trip), but well worth the effort.

Jim and Sharla Nickell, the owners of Belleview Hollow Vineyard and their son-in-low George Neitzel were first class hosts. The weather was perfect, the food fantastic, the wine excellent, the vineyard tour was very informative and the people were great. IT WAS A GOOD TIME!

(Above) Vineyard sign along road entrance. (Above) Plenty of these signs were out marking the way.

(Above) The guest of honor is ready to feed (Above) A large tent was put up for the event. the attendees.

5

(Above) People spent some time around the (Above) A couple of wayward Iowans showed up. fire waiting their turn on the tour wagon. Dave Fred Ver Schuure with wife Cindy drove down & Paul Klodd brought several Netter Getters from their vineyard near Oskaloosa. and a Nukeaweed to display.

(Above Left) Valvin Muscat, AKA New York 62 released from Cornell University in 2006 showing very short internodes, common for this cultivar. (Above Right) Valvin Muscat showing Muscat Spot, AKA Rupestris Speckle. This is an apparent physiological disorder associated with Vitis rupestris and cultivars with Vitis rupestris in their genetic background. This disorder normally shows up around harvest time and apparently does not affect vine growth. It is often more pronounced under stress conditions. It has also been seen on Chambourcin. Vitis rupestris is commonly found in Southern Missouri, Tennessee, Southern Illinois, and other southern states. It is often called Sand, Mountain, Beach, Sugar and July grape. The white grapes are VERY sweet tasting and are often used to produce dessert wines.

6

(Above) Jim Nickell ) center and Dr. Bruce (Above) Cheap electrical tape used to tie up Bordelon (Right), Purdue University check out cordons. some Petite Amie grapes (front). This is a cultivar bred by Ed Swanson of Cuthills Vineyard in Pierce, NE. http://www.cuthills.com

Show n Tell

(Above) Mason Groben, winemaker at the new (Above) Pomace from Jasper Winery is given Jasper Winery near Downtown Des Moines, IA. to a worm farm. Work castings (Above) are http://www.jasperwinery.com then used as fertilizer around new grape plants.

7 Still Time to Apply for $400 Iowa Vine/Wine Student Tuition Scholarships

The next deadline for scholarship applications from the Iowa Grape and Wine Development Fund to Iowa students in viticulture and enology programs is fast approaching, - November 1st. Students can receive up to $400 in tuition reimbursements. More information can be found here : http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/pdfs/GrapeAndWineScholarship.pdf

Application forms: http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/pdfs/ScholarshipApplication.pdf

Paul Ovrom, Program Manager - Wine and Grape Development Fund Iowa Dept of Agriculture & Land Stewardship Wallace Building, Des Moines IA 50319 Ph: 515-242-5028 or e-mail: [email protected]

Iowa Wine Trail - Holiday Wine & Food Event - Nov. 1 & 2

What: “Iowa Wine and Heirloom Family Cuisines ” Iowa Wine Trail holiday wine and food event. When: Saturday & Sunday, November 1 & 2, 2008 Where: Iowa Wine Trail: http://www.iowawinetrail.com/map.php Cost: $25 each prior to October 29, or $35 each the days of event. Tickets: Can be purchased at participating wineries, online at http://www.iowawinetrail.com by calling 563-557-3727 New: for this year, The Iowa Wine Trail has added Wide River Winery as their eighth member. Wide River Winery is located just north of Clinton with spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Note: Each winery will be providing samples of their award winning wines paired with some of their favorite family recipes. Check out Sutliff Cider Company's "Sweet Potato Ravioli with Hazelnut Brown Butter and Herb Sauce{" paired with their Sutliff Hard Cider. Or, try Eagles Landing winery's "Waterville Meatballs" paired with their "Frog Hollow Foch" or "Iowa Pearl

USDA Farm Bill - Landmark Legislation for Specialty Crop Growers

Earlier this year, Congress passed the farm bill – also known as the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Tom Harkin helped lead the effort to usher this landmark legislation into law, which contains over $3 billion over the next ten years in new funding for programs and initiatives to help specialty crop growers. Find out more about the new opportunities available to grape growers by following the link below: http://harkin.senate.gov/documents/pdf/GrapeAndWineGrowers.pdf

Study Shows Texas Wine Industry Has a 1.35 Billion Dollar Economic Impact

Texas is now the fifth largest wine production state in the nation. The number of wineries has increased from 113 in 2005 to 162 at the end of 2007 (up 43%). Tourism dollars related to the wine 8 industry has increased 34% since 2005 and state tax revenues have increased 62%. The $1.35 billion total economic impact was up 35% since 2005 according to a study conducted by MKF Research and jointly funded by the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association and Texas Tech University.

Key Economic Impacts of the Texas Wine Industry

Full-time Equivalent Jobs 8,971 Wages Paid $298 million Winery Revenue $55 million Cases Produced 1 million Retail Value of Texas Wine $98.5 million Vineyard Revenue $4.8 million Number of Wineries 162 Number of Commercial Growers 280 Grape-Bearing Acres 2,900 Wine-Related Tourism Expenditures $296.6 million Number of Wine-Related Tourists 958,000 thousand Taxes Paid: State and Local / Federal $63.3 million/$78.9 million

Read the entire study here: http://www.txwines.org/forms/TX_Update_Final_082508.pdf

Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, MO – Largest Crop Ever!

I know that many of the readers of this newsletter have visited Les Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport, Missouri and probably purchased a bottle or two of their #1 seller “ Riverboat Red ”. Les Bourgeois is Missouri’s third largest winery. Cory Bomgaars, the head winemaker produces excellent wines there. Les Bourgeois will be harvesting 170+ tons of grapes this year, an average of 4-5 tons/acre. It is must see stop if you are ever down near there (just west of Columbia,MO). Here is a good article about the winery, the harvest and their vineyard operation. Check it out:

Les Bourgeois Plans to Bring in Record Harvest 10-21-08, ColumbiaMissourian: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/10/21/record-harvest-les-bourgeois/

U.S. Wine Consumption Grows for a Record 15th Consecutive Year

Americans are on pace to drink more wine in 2008 than ever before, but this year’s expected growth of 1.5 percent represents the industry’s smallest increase since 2001, the last time the U.S. economy was in a recession. Nevertheless, retail sales of wine within the United States will surpass $25 billion for the first time this year, and set an all-time high of 306 million cases purchased, according to the just-released The U.S. Wine Market: Impact Databank Review and Forecast, 2008 Edition.

Read entire article in 10-22-08 Wine Spectator News: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,4675,00.html

Comments from Readers

Jonathan Millner, winemaker at Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery really appreciated me plugging their new winery in Wine Grower News #63, but……. wanted me to know that the winery is located 9 south of Kimball, Minnesota, NOT north. OK, OK Jonathan, I have made the correction and you get another plug in Wine Grower News. You winemakers are never satisfied. ☺ Check’em out here. Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery: http://millnerheritage.com/

______

“Hi Mike, this is XXXXX here in Louisa county, IA. Just wanted to let you know we have a new e- mail address. Keep those excellent newslettersmcoming. Thanks. ” (U Betcha! Flattery will get you anything, ☺mike.)

--- Satisfied client in Louisa County, IA

Quote of the Week

“It is normally cheaper to rent seasonal cold storage than to buy or build it!”

--- From someone who knows the cold storage business .

Neeto-Keeno WWW Stuff

1. Minnesota’s Three Rivers Wine Trail brochure: http://www.3riverswinetrail.com/files/Northern.pdf

2. “Midwestern Wineries ‘stealing’ vino away from wine snobs ” 10-20-08, Peoria Journal Star: http://www.pjstar.com/business/x1302069202/Midwestern-wineries-stealing-vino-away-from-the-snobs

3. “ History of the American Wine Industry ”, 48p, Texas wine Marketing Research Institute, Texas Tech Univ. 6/2007: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/texaswine/docs/Wine_History.pdf

Post & View Classified Ads here: http://iowawinegrowers.org (310 ac. of land, glycol chiller, plastic bins, 6 bottle bottling machine and more.)

Free Posting - Buy or Sell Grapes: http://www.iowawinegrowers.org

Past issues archived as html: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Wine/Resources/winegrowernews.htm Past issues archived as pdf: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/newsletters/winegrowers.html

Total Circulation of 1,010+ recipients in CA, IA, IN, FL, IL, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NY, OR, SD, VT, WA DC, WI, Canada & Norway

10 Please reply with the word "unsubscribe" in the Subject Line if you wish to no longer receive this newsletter.

Michael L. White, ISU Extension Viticulture Specialist 909 East 2nd St. Suite E, Indianola, IA 50125-2892 ph: 515-961-6237, fax: 6017 or [email protected]

http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/

Note: There are ISU research vineyards at the Armstrong Farm - Lewis, Horticulture Farm - Ames, Northeast Farm – Nashua, Southeast Farm – Crawfordsville and the Neely-Kinyon Farm – Greenfield.

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 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

11