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

Volume 35, Number 3 Fall 2009

Fall 2009 an association to help foster industry growth by Tom Martell supported by market demand, education and legislative support. To that end the BOD has This has to be one of the most pleasant times devoted time to strategically review the priorities of the year. Fall colors, spectacular sunrises with and direction of the MGGA in the next five years. See shrouds of fog and mist, lovely sunsets—and Kori Knudsen’s article in this edition discussing those black and golden berries, viewed from a distance, efforts. When you have a moment please let MGGA hanging on lush vines, waiting for the harvest to BOD members know your thoughts about the direction begin... I hope your Camelot provided all of that, of the MGGA in the period 2010- 2015. and more. The International Cold Climate Competition While the beauty cannot be denied, the weather has was a tremendous success! Kudos and our heart-felt challenged growers in this past ten years. The litany thanks to the ICCWC committee for their hard work and of recent weather related records should convince wonderful results: MGGA member and ICCWC chair even the most skeptical observer that change is in the Gordon Rouse, MGGA VP Paula Soholt, and U of M wind. Records like the warmest spring, or third driest, representative Dr. Jim Luby and Minnesota State Fair or fourth hottest, or seventh coolest summer, etc. Oh, representative, Lou Quast. The positive local, regional for an average growing season! Suffice to say we lost and national PR attributed to this first-of-its-kind event a lot of “heat degree days” this cool & dry summer and has underscored the latent interest of the consuming it has challenged the vines to ripen the fruit. public in our and wine—and that is precisely The MGGA board of directors [BOD] is traditionally on our intention for sponsoring this event. See Gordon’s hiatus from post-July board meeting to the October article and please commend the committee, judges, meeting. However, lots of committee work continues participating wineries and many volunteers who helped including strategic planning, the 2009 International with the competition when you have a moment. Cold Climate Wine Competition event planning A measure of the incredible response to the ICCWC and execution, 2010 Cold Climate Grape & Wine publicity was the level of interest in the competition Conference planning and State Fair Booth planning expressed by visitors to the MGGA booth and MNFWA and execution, to mention a few areas. “Wine Country” operation at the 2009 Minnesota State The rate of growth of this industry throughout the Fair. Lots of great questions! Thank you Cyndi Ross upper Midwest continues at a remarkable pace with and all the volunteers at the booth for a great effort news of new wineries and vineyards being designed, presenting a positive image of the MGGA to the public. or opening, a frequent occurrence. The MGGA BOD Well done! is keenly aware of the need to be forward-looking as Planning is nearly completed for the Cold Climate In this Issue: Grape & Wine Conference, February 11-13, 2010 in Bloomington, MN. The curriculum, list of presenters • From the Vineyard...... 2 • 6th Annual Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference...... 3 and conference activities will surely make this sixth • International Cold Climate Wine Competition Recap...... 4 annual conference the best yet. I hope you are planning • Buying and Using a Vineyard Leaf Hedger...... 8 to attend. • My Neighbor Soured my Grapes...... 10 • Great River Road Wine Trail News Release...... 11 Finally, I also hope to see you at the MGGA Annual • Move Over Napa Valley...... 12 Meeting (AM) at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, • 2010 BOD Nominations...... 13 • Chromosome Mapping of Daylength...... 14 January 23, 2010. Look for more information regarding • Backyard Wine Grower...... 16 the AM in the Winter edition of NFTN. • IANV Announces VitiNord 2009...... 17 • MGGA Strategic Planning Update...... 18 Enjoy the Fall! • Dues Linked to Financial Stability...... 19 2 Fall 2009 FROM THE VINEYARD it. Apparently, if a glut is to arise it is still a year or two away. by John Marshall Personally, I do not expect to see it. While an over-supply of grapes is a concern it actually represents a huge opportunity. Summer is about gone — one of the coolest on record. Growers In the past, local vintners had to get along with whatever was such as myself have been concerned that with the late blossom, available and some could not be made because the grapes which got the crop off to a late start, and the prolonged cool to make them were not available. Those days are rapidly falling weather in July and August, the grape crop would show marginal away. ripeness. I guess it should not surprise us Minnesotans that summer decided to show up the second week of September There is a temptation to think we can make “better” wines from with prolonged periods of 80° F. heat and lots of sun. Surprised Cabernet Sauvignon or Grapes or juice from or not this unexpected late summer heat has brought the crop California than from our own grapes. It is important to remember along with amazing speed. that mediocre California wines can be purchased at any liquor store for far less than a local winemaker will be able to offer them. As an example, I note that our Somerset Seedless crop, often While local winemakers may be proud of these offerings local palatable the first in August, was not really edible until Aug. 20th winemakers invariably see their local wines sell out faster than or so. This early crop never experienced the early September out of state offerings. warmth but my Bluebells, normally ready shortly after Labor Day, were delicious more or less on schedule. It has demonstrated Can it be that inexperienced and uncertain as many local to me how this late heat has been able to hustle the crop back winery visitors may appear, they realize that Chardonnay and onto schedule. and Merlot etc. are seen everywhere. But they have never seen a LaCrescent, Brianna or a wine before I recall that Bob Wollersheim of the Wollersheim Winery in and they realize these are the wines that are in fact local? The Wisconsin used to say “...they would note the day of full blossom local wine industry needs to learn that “Buy Local” has become of their Foch vines then count forward a certain number of days a powerful marketing tool, one we can all use to great personal to determine the day of picking.” (He was never specific how and industry-wide benefit. many days this was.) Nevertheless, he felt that it took a certain number of days for the crop to ripen and whether the season To be sure this growing availability of local grapes is a great was warm or cool, wet or dry, the crop was not ready until then opportunity. Local growers, winemakers and wineries need to and if left to hang to further ripen, declined in quality regardless seize this opportunity. It is finally here for the taking. of the weather. While this always made great sense to me one cannot fail to be ORDER YOUR VINES impressed with dramatic climb in sugar levels, color and apparent THIS FALL TO ASSURE drop in acids seen, now that the heat has arrived. I for one, have never been able to forgo my refractometer to keep me abreast AVAILABILITY of how the crop is coming along. Table grapes are picked on palatability, whereas winemakers need their sugar, acid and pH CALL TOLL-FREE levels to judge what they will be doing with the crop that is coming along. Truly grape growing is as much an art as it is a science. 1-877-345-3531 We take Visa, Mastercard & Discover In truth, the grape crop has come in well. I know with the dramatic growth in vineyard acreage revealed in the recent vineyard and winery surveys there has been some concern that there is now or soon will be a surplus of grapes in the state. So far as I can tell this has not happened. OR I have received a number of calls from growers who have found Go to our website themselves with grapes late in the season. Thus far, I have passed their notes along to regional wineries and, so far as I WWW.GREATRIVERVINEYARD.COM can tell, all these grapes have found homes. In my own case, AND our “Pick-Your Own Day” pickers failed to pick out the day. It was alarming to find myself with 2600 lbs. of Frontenacs late in Print off our nursery form and send with a September. Even so, they all sold via my email list within two check payable to “GRV” days. Great River Vineyard & Nursery In truth, the only place I have not been able to help was a winery looking for Marquette grapes. Since there have been dramatic 36580 Hwy. 61 Blvd. plantings of Marquette in the region in recent years, if there is Lake City, MN 55041 going to be a glut this is the variety that will be most likely to show Volume 35, Number 3 3 6th Annual Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference Northern ~ Pursuing Excellence February 11-13, 2010 Sheraton Bloomington Hotel • Bloomington, Minnesota From keynotes, to round tables and hands-on experiences, making a commitment to quality is woven throughout the 2010 conference agenda. Introductory sessions will be scheduled Thursday evening with a balanced variety of offerings on Friday and Saturday. For those looking to expand their knowledge of cold climate grape and wine production, this is a must attend conference. Attendees will welcome the expanded trade show, enjoy the ever popular Midwest Wine Stroll, and, celebrate MGGA ‘Gold’ at the closing conference banquet. Your investment in this conference will help you gain technical and practical information through formal presentations, informal networking and idea sharing. Plan now to attend this key industry event. For more information visit: www.mngrapes.org Registration opens by December 1. (see advance preview insert in this issue) Falconer Vineyards Winery & Nursery Specializing in northern winter hardy varieties by the University of Minnesota and Elmer Swenson.

Falconer Vineyards & Winery Open: Friday • Saturday • Sunday

Wine Tasting: $4 per person Fridays Noon - 5pm Saturdays 10am - 6pm • Sundays noon-5pm

Contact: [email protected] 3572 Old Tyler Rd. Red Wing, MN 55066 651-388-8849 www.FalconerVineyards.com 4 Fall 2009 Successful First International Cold Climate Wine Competition by Gordon Rouse The inaugural and 100% Cold International Cold Hardy Grape Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC) wines. There were plenty of entries in was held August 25 at the University of most lots with as the most Minnesota’s Continuing Education and popular at over two dozen entries while Conference Center on the St. Paul Campus. White Labrusca, Riparia, Sabrevois, Kay The competition is open to commercial Gray, and the Sparkling wine lots had few entries. wineries meeting the criteria for cold-hardy grape or fruit content, varieties considered generally hardy Falconer Vineyards and Winery 2007 Frontenac without winter protection in central Minnesota (USDA Reserve Red Wing Port from Red Wing, Minnesota zone 4). Feedback from sponsors, participants, media, won the coveted “Minnesota Governor’s Cup” trophy, grape growers, and most important, wineries, has been a lovely large silver ice bucket, recognizing the “Best of very positive. Show” or top prize of all Minnesota gold winning wines. This is the first awarding of the impressive traveling The competition was executed as a partnership trophy, passed to John Falconer and his wife, Dr. between the MGGA, the Minnesota State Fair and the University of Minnesota, where several of the cold hardy wine grapes were developed. Each group sponsored portions and brought expertise that really helped with having this run smoothly for a first-year event. We were very pleased with over 300 entries from 58 commercial wineries in 16 states including, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, New Hampshire Governor’s Cup Award photo by Gary Iocco and Connecticut in the east, Nebraska, Nevada, Ann Lowe, on Oct. 6, by Governor Pawlenty himself, Montana and Wyoming in the west, and the Midwestern along with Representative Tim Kelly (right) and MGGA states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky President, Tom Martell (left). and host state Minnesota with 19 participating wineries. “Best of Show” awards went to Mac’s Creek Winery The credit for this response belongs to people such & Vineyards, NE, 2008 Edelweiss for Best White; as Mark Wedge of Fieldstone Vineyards who enticed Lincoln Peak Vineyard, VT, 2008 Marquette for Best many Minnesota wineries to participate, and Philippe Red; and Winehaven Winery and Vineyard, MN, 2007 Coquard of Wollersheim Winery encouraging the Slippery Slope White Ice Wine for Best Specialty Wine Wisconsin wineries to enter. Many others, including & Fortified Wine. MGGA board members got the word out too. Perhaps it was the fact we haven’t done this before, or there A total of 4 Double Gold, 28 Gold, 60 Silver, and 105 were difficulties with getting wines across the border, Bronze medals were awarded. but we didn’t get any non-U.S. entries, even though Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel’s we did get the word out and even had email inquiries judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas from Canada. Perhaps next year… . Gold medals require a majority vote. Double Golds Wines were entered in all 34 different competition lots, were won by Lincoln Peak Vineyard, Mac’s Creek in categories such as Native Grape, French & American Winery and Vineyard, and Saint Croix Vineyards of Hybrids, Sparkling, Specialty & Fortified, Non-Grape, Stillwater, MN. Volume 35, Number 3 5

Winning wines, displaying their medals, as well as the evaluation sheets are returned to the winery for feedback. trophies, were on display adjacent to the MGGA booth These aspects all support the mission of improving the at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. quality of wines made from cold-hardy varieties, thus Awards were based on blind tastings by 15 expert promoting the judges from Minnesota and several other states. Judges wine and grape included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, industry. and wine educators. Three-judge panels determined the On competition initial awards, d a y , m e d i a with the top- reporters and scoring Best photographers of Show wines were invited to interview and film the judges between evaluated by 11:30 and 12 noon. We had a terrific response which f i v e - j u d g e generated much buzz about the ICCWC from coast panels and all to coast; one posting landed on the front page of the LA Times! Visit www.iccwc.org to view the AP News Release and other competition information. 15 judges for the Minnesota We are extremely grateful to Peter Hemstad, Dr. Anna Governor’s Cup award. Katharine Mansfield, Mark Wedge, MN State Fair In addition to all the judges, staff members, and MGGA President Tom Martell and Treasurer Ron Barnes for their support and guidance in helping establish this competition. We thank our corporate sponsors: Design Ink, MDT, Minnesota Grown and Sheraton Bloomington whose collective support greatly enhanced the competition. We also especially thank the many wineries that spent their there were over 15 time, effort, and money by entering their wines in this volunteer and MN State competition. Fair wine stewards that Lastly, I am very thankful to my fellow ICCWC steering checked in wines, sorted them by lot, tagged every glass committee members, Dr. Jim Luby, Lou Quast, and poured, shuttled the glasses to and from the judges, Paula Soholt for all their hard work, advice, organization dumped wine, spit cups, and buckets, and cleaned up and promotion skills in making this successful. It has a lot of bottles. The U of MN been my great pleasure and honor to serve as event Conference Center staff did an coordinator in this inaugural year. We look forward to exceptional job of providing a steady stream of clean glasses for the competition and meeting our needs. If this expands next year, and we expect it will, we will be looking at how we find more space, glasses, and personnel. A few things that make this competition stand out include low entry fee of $30 (versus $60 or more for many other competitions), judges specifically chosen for their knowledge of cold-hardy varieties, and judge’s ICCWC photos by Dave Hansen 6 Fall 2009

• 2 0 0 9 • 2009 ICCWC BEST OF show Winery...... State...... Wine...... Vintage Best White Wine Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Edelweiss...... 2008 Best Red Wine Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... Marquette ...... 2008 Best Specialty & Fortified Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Slippery Slope White Ice Wine...... 2007 Minnesota Governor’s Cup Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Frontenac Reserve Red Wing Port...... 2007  — DOUBLE GOLD —  Winery...... State.....Wine...... Category...... Vintage Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... ...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, White Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... Marquette...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, Red Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Edelweiss...... Edelweiss...... 2008 Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Marechal Foch 2007...... Marechal Foch...... 2007  — GOLD —  5 Trails Winery...... NE...... Frontenac...... Frontenac Bauer-Kearns Winery LLC...... WI...... Driftless White...... LaCrosse Cannon River Winery...... MN...... Sogn Blanc ...... Edelweiss Carlos Creek Winery...... MN...... Apple...... Non-grape, Apple & Pear Danish Countryside Vines & Winery...... IA...... Maid Of The Harbor...... Edelweiss Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Frontenac Reserve Red Wing Port...... Specialty & Fortified, Port...... 2007 Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... Marquette ...... Marquette...... 2008 Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery...... VT...... 2006 Frontenac Gris...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, White Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... Frontenac Gris...... Frontenac Gris Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... Happy Creek Red...... Frontenac Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... La Crescent...... La Crescent Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... La Crescent Late Harvest...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, White Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Celtic Aire...... LaCrosse Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery...... MN...... Little Iza...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, White Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Niagara...... Labrusca white grape Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Raspberry Secret...... Specialty & Fortified, other Dessert Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Frontenac Gris 2008...... Frontenac Gris...... 2008 Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Raspberry Infusion...... Non-grape, Berry Saint Croix Vineyards ...... MN...... Marquette 2008...... Marquette...... 2008 Sandhill Crane Vineyards...... MI...... Raspberry...... Non-grape, Berry Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Prairie Star 2008...... Prairie Star...... 2008 Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Smiling Moon 2008...... White Grape, white blends...... 2008 Shelburne Vineyard, LLC...... VT...... Marquette 2008...... Marquette...... 2008 Tahoe Ridge Winery-Buffalo Creek...... NV...... St. Croix...... St. Croix...... 2008 White Rabbit Vineyards & Winery...... MN...... Dust Bunnies...... Sparkling, Grape, dry/semi-dry Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Frontenac...... 100% Cold Hardy Grape, Red Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Slippery Slope White Ice Wine...... Specialty & Fortified, other Dessert...... 2007 Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Strawberry-Rhubarb...... Non-grape, Mead & Mead/Fruit blends Volume 35, Number 3 7

 — SILVER —  Winery...... State...... Wine Winery...... State...... Wine 5 Trails Winery...... NE...... Marechal Foch Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery ...... WI...... Rosso Cannon River Winery...... MN...... GoGo Red Parley Lake Winery...... MN...... La Crescent Cannon River Winery...... MN...... Sogn Blush Richwood Winery...... MN...... Richwood Frontenac Gris Carlos Creek Winery...... MN...... Apple Cranberry River Bend Vineyard & Winery...... WI...... La Crescent Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... La Crescent Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Blackberry Danish Countryside Vines & Winery...... IA...... Crystal Springs Gold Sandhill Crane Vineyards...... MI...... Miel Amour Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Honey N Berries Sandhill Crane Vineyards...... MI...... Sugar Snow Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Starboard SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery...... NE...... Sweet Santa Fe Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Strawberry Fest SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery...... NE...... Women Gone Wine Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Potter John’s Special Blend Sweet Baby Vineyard...... NH...... Strawberry Wine Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Tahoe Ridge Winery-Buffalo Creek...... NV...... Frontenac Fergedaboudit Vineyard & Winery...... IL...... La Dolcé Vita Tassel Ridge Winery...... IA...... Pink Catawba Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... Debauchery Valley Vineyard...... WI...... Frontenac Rosé Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... Petite Amie Vernon Vineyards...... WI...... Ridge Red Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... St. Croix Warehouse Wineries...... MN...... Frontenac-Petite Sirah- Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery...... VT...... 2007 Vermont Rosé Weggey Winery...... WI...... Oak Ridge Red Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery...... VT...... Little Piggy Pink White Rabbit Vineyards & Winery...... MN...... Raspberry Select Laddsburg Mountain Winery...... PA...... Ursus Red Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Chisago Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... Black Willow Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Cranberry Wine Lincoln Peak Vineyard...... VT...... Frontenac Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Raspberry Wine Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Brianna Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Rhubarb Wine Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... La Crescent Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Semi-Sweet Honeywine (Mead) Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Mac’s Lantern Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... St. Croix Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery...... MN...... Draga Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Domaine du Sac Morgan Creek Vineyards...... MN...... Relativity Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Ice Wine Morgan Creek Vineyards...... MN...... St. John Reserve Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Port Northern Vineyards...... MN...... “White” Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Prairie Blush Northern Vineyards...... MN...... 2006 St. Croix Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Prairie Fume Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Yellow Moccasin Wollersheim Winery...... WI...... Prairie Sunburst Red Orchard Country Winery of Door County...... WI...... Door County Sparkle Woodland Hill Winery...... MN...... Autumn Sky  — BRONZE —  Winery...... State.... Wine Winery...... State.... Wine Winery...... State.... Wine 5 Trails Winery...... NE...... Frontenac Blush Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... Marquette 2008 Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Frontier Red 2008 Cannon River Winery...... MN...... St. Pepin Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... After Dark Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Hunters Blend 2008 Carlos Creek Winery...... MN...... 2008 Hot Dish Red Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards...... NE...... Spring Mist Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Ridgetop Apple Carlos Creek Winery...... MN...... Apple Pomegr. Freeze Dessert Wine Millner Heritage Vineyard & Winery...... MN...... Neuhaus Sharpe Hill Vineyard, Inc...... CT...... Sharpe Hill Pontefract ‘06 Carlos Creek Winery...... MN...... Port Morgan Creek Vineyards...... MN...... Puck’s Pride Sharpe Hill Vineyard, Inc...... CT...... Sharpe Hill St. Croix 2006 Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Frontenac Rosé Morgan Creek Vineyards...... MN...... Zeitgeist Shelburne Vineyard, LLC...... VT...... NuMondo Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... La Crescent 375ml Northern Vineyards...... MN...... “Blush” Shelburne Vineyard, LLC...... VT...... Whimsey Meadow Rosé Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Northwoods Red Northern Vineyards...... MN...... “Gold” Sweet Baby Vineyard...... NH...... Apple Wine Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Prairie Blanc Northern Vineyards...... MN...... 2006 St. Croix Reserve Sweet Baby Vineyard...... NH...... Blueberry Wine Crofut Family Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Prairie Red Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Laura’s Laughter Table Mountain Vineyards...... WY...... S.O.B. Wine Danish Countryside Vines & Winery...... IA...... Twilight White Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Louise Tahoe Ridge Winery - Buffalo Creek...... NV...... LaCrosse Deer Springs Winery...... NE...... Deer Springs Winery Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Prairie Smoke Tassel Ridge Winery...... IA...... Pizzeria & Pasta Too Dizzy Daisy Winery and Vineyard...... MI...... Swenson White Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Prairie Star Tassel Ridge Winery...... IA...... Red, White, & Blue Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Just Peachy Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Ruby Minnesota Ten Spoon Winery...... MT...... St. Pepin 2008 Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Mrs. Sippi Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Ruby Minnesota Thousand Islands Winery...... NY...... Frontenac Eagle’s Landing Vineyard & Winery...... IA...... Spiced Apple Northern Vineyards...... MN...... Shannon Thousand Islands Winery...... NY...... La Crescent Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Catawba Northern Vineyards...... MN...... St. Pepin Vernon Vineyards...... WI...... Edelweiss Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... Frontenac Orchard Country Winery of Door County.WI ...... Apple Vernon Vineyards...... WI...... St. Pepin Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... La Crescent Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery...... WI...... Meditation Wine Vernon Vineyards...... WI...... Three Chimneys Red Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... La Crescent Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery...... WI...... Rosso Weggey Winery...... WI...... Autumn Crisp Falconer Vineyards and Winery...... MN...... North Star Red Purple Toad Winery...... KY...... Lauren’s Blackberry White Rabbit Vineyards & Winery...... MN...... Frontenac Fergedaboudit Vineyard & Winery...... IL...... Menagé Purple Toad Winery...... KY...... Paducah Blue White Rabbit Vineyards & Winery...... MN...... NuVo Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... Frontenac Rosé Purple Toad Winery...... KY...... Steven’s Strawberry White Rabbit Vineyards & Winery...... MN...... Rhubarb Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... La Crescent Richwood Winery...... MN...... Richwood La Crescent Wide River Winery...... IA...... Ms. Conduct Fieldstone Vineyards Inc...... MN...... Wine-ing Farmer River Bend Vineyard & Winery...... WI...... Bliss Wide River Winery...... IA...... White Collar Crime Forestedge Winery...... MN...... Forestedge Apple Wine Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Blueberry Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Deer Garden Blush Forestedge Winery...... MN...... Forestedge Rhubarb Wine Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Cranberry Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Deer Garden Red Franklin Hill Vineyards...... PA...... Sir Walter’s Red Rose Bank Winery...... PA...... Rose Bank Mulled Apple Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Deer Garden White Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery...... VT...... Vermont Apple Wine Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Frontenac 2007 Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Grapewinds Port Garvin Heights Vineyards...... MN...... GHV St. Croix 2008 Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... La Crescent 2007 Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... La Crescent Garvin Heights Vineyards...... MN...... Raspberry Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Orchard Reserve Winehaven Winery and Vineyard...... MN...... Slippery Slope Red Ice Wine Glacial Ridge Winery...... MN...... Castle Rock Saint Croix Vineyards...... MN...... Rosé Woodland Hill Winery...... MN...... La Crescent Glacial Ridge Winery...... MN...... Jazzy Sandhill Crane Vineyards...... MI...... Mood Indigo Woodland Hill Winery...... MN...... Rhubarb Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... 45 SchillingBridge Winery & Microbrewery..NE...... Edelweiss Woodland Hill Winery...... MN...... Tickled Pink Hinterland Vineyards...... MN...... Frontenac Seven Hawks Vineyards...... WI...... Frontenac Reserve 2008 Woodland Hill Winery...... MN...... Up North Red Complete printable results listing can be found at www.mngrapes.org or www.iccwc.org 8 Fall 2009

industry looked like. The show was huge and geared Buying and Using a Vineyard towards large scale vineyards and wineries and was a great Leaf Hedger learning experience. I was able to talk to several vendors by Dave Mohn who market leaf trimmers. Some of the vendor names are Blue Line, AG-VBC Vineyard Equipment, Collard, Our eleven acre vineyard located near Red Wing, MN and Clemens. Most machines are designed to trim either was started in 2002. Most of our grapes are Frontenac, one side of one row or one side of two rows at a time. I Frontenac Gris, La Crescent, and Marquette. My brother, was quoted prices ranging from about $8,500 for the L Tom, and I both have full time jobs and work in the vineyard shaped cutting bar-like machines up to $35,000 for the on a weekend basis. We have one part time person and get machine that shoots compressed air. They usually run by occasional help from others. We use the Geneva Double hydraulics and often mount to the front of a tractor which Curtain method of trellising, except for the Marquette. allows for easier control. One observation about the air Most of the vineyard is pruned with the fruiting zone about compressor-based machine was that it would take a lot of 6 feet off the ground. The ground is rather fertile and was time just to mount all of the components and would require previously crop land planted with alfalfa. We use the cane a dedicated tractor. pruning method, and our goal is to leave 4 fruiting canes per vine on the wires with no overlapping from other vines. Now that I had found some leaf trimmers, the next issue Given the fact that we left too much wood on the fruiting was justifying the large cost. A quick cost analysis of pulling wires in 2008, which added to our foliage problem, we leaves by hand, based on our 2008 experience, shows it always get a serious surplus of foliage shading out the takes about 16 hours per acre to do an adequate job. If clusters. we pulled leaves on the entire vineyard twice (our vineyard would really need at least 3 times), this multiplies out to In late June, we start pulling down the new vines to create 352 total person hours, or $3,520 using a $10/hour cost. the curtain affect, and start pulling leaves off by hand that A machine that could do the whole vineyard in one day are still covering the fruiting zone. The rate of re-growth of is clearly an advantage for our situation. Additional cost the foliage made it impossible for us to keep the vineyard could be recouped by doing custom trimming for nearby even close to a good state of cluster exposure. Our first vineyards. After discussing what I found at the show with attempt to improve this process was to purchase a hedge my brother and partner Tom, we concluded the additional trimmer and walk along trimming the leaves in the fruiting cost was a little high for us to spend this year. We are at zone. This resulted in trimming only one acre per day the crossroads of being too large to pull leaves by hand, but and a rather serious case of tennis elbow. A soaking rain too small to easily purchase equipment for big vineyards. followed by hot weather resulted in new foliage growing Even if we found another vineyard to buy in with us, the back within two days and no real progress was made. cost was still high. Hiring people to help us do this by hand is obviously impractical and costly. Right after I got back from the trade show, the annual MGGA Conference was going on and I went with this issue After dealing with problems of low sugar levels and slow in the back of my mind. I was listening to the speaker ripening in 2008, I decided it was time to look into what was from Nova Scotia talk about obtaining trimmers and how out there for machinery that could help us. We fully realize a they save so much time. I talked to him and he gave me machine alone will not fix the problem entirely, but hopefully a name of a person who deals in used equipment. Later tip the balance in our favor. After surfing the internet, a few I got to chatting with the representative from Wabash sites appeared of companies that make machines for this Valley Progressive Viticulture, one of the vendors at the task. I found several types of trimmers varying from straight conference. He knew of a used trimmer for sale in Michigan forward ‘L’ shaped vertically positioned sickle bar trimmers made by Blue Line. The asking price was $5,000. It was to very sophisticated air compressor powered machines eight years old and hadn’t been used in the last 3 years. I that shoot leaf disintegrating air blasts. The websites decided to go for it and bought the machine sight unseen were few and far between and none of them supplied cost and sent a down payment. information. The sites dealing in used vineyard equipment did not seem to have any leaf trimmers. In April, the machine was delivered and looked to be in reasonably good shape. It consisted of one adjustable After chatting about this with Matt Scott, manager at St. sickle that slides in and out of an apparatus, depending on Croix Vineyard, he suggested going to the trade show at if you want to trim the top of the vines or the side. Also, a the grape symposium held every year in California. This separate machine came with it that mounts separately for annual event has representatives from just about every brushing off suckers and pulling down new vines. We took vendor in the vineyard and winery business. It was held in in as much information about it as we could and unloaded Sacramento in January, 2009. I decided to make the trip, it. The next step was to talk to our local welder/repair shop take in the show, and visit some vineyards in Napa Valley and have them fabricate a way to mount it on our tractor. and Sonoma. It was time to see what the fully developed We used the front end loader on the tractor to take the Volume 35, Number 3 9 trimmer off its stand and put it rationalized this as an attempt in the back of a pickup to haul it at cluster thinning. We were over to the shop. The mechanic told to use the vine puller by late planned to make changes so June before the tendrils on the that the bucket and trimmer vines were too well developed can be removed and switched and would no longer pull down quickly. He also configured it easily. We also were able to for the ability to attach to a fork attach the sprayer tank to the lift for handling harvest bins. back and have a second person We left the trimmer and tractor walk behind the tractor and do at the shop on a Saturday and some weed control while doing no one was there which wound the vine pulling. up being a mistake. Tom tried We then started using the trimmer at first to cut the foliage calling the shop several times and the owner was not off the top of the trellises to allow more sunlight to penetrate available. They went to work on it and finished it during to the clusters. When I look at the results and compare the week. When Tom went to get it he discovered that the it to pictures of the vineyard from previous years, there is mechanics could not tell where the trimmer was attached a clear difference in the increased visibility of the clusters to the stand and wound up welding the stand and trimmer to the sun from directly above this year to almost none together so that both trimmer and stand mount to the tractor before. We will probably trim the top of each row 3 or rather than just the trimmer. Tom showed them how it 4 times before harvest and trim the sides once or twice detaches but rather than leaving it for them to correct, he depending on foliage growth. When we start measuring decided it would work better that way. It is rather difficult sugar and pH levels in early September, hopefully we will to slide the trimmer back into the stand when detaching it see a clear difference from last year. In conclusion, I from the tractor, and now we just hook it up stand and all. feel the purchase of the trimmer was a good decision for When I saw the trimmer welded to the stand, it did look a several reasons. If you are planning to grow the size of little strange but we went with it. We also replaced some your vineyard and need to control foliage to improve grape of the hydraulic hoses and welded a pipe on to hold the quality while controlling labor costs and saving time you control box. may want to consider a trimmer. Finally we headed to the vineyard with it to try some leaf trimming and positioned the cutter to trim over the top of the trellis. The machine seemed to run well but definitely WINTERHAVEN required some skill to control the height and angle by constantly working four separate hydraulic controls. We V ineyard Nursery tried one row of Frontenac and were reasonably impressed with what it did. Since the foliage is not very developed yet, we decided to try the other machine that spins and Varieties Include: attempts to pull down the vines. The machine is basically a street sweeper attached to a hydraulic motor. Some La Crescent Petite Amie St. Croix skill is needed to deal with the constantly changing terrain Frontenac Gris Edelweiss Sabrevois and wire height. At first the sweeper tended to get on the Prairie Star Louise Swenson King of the North Brianna Marquette Somerset Seedless inside of the wire and get caught between the wires or Order St. Pepin Frontenac Blue Bell pull off the cane attached to the wire. Occasionally vines NOW tangled up around the machine requiring us to stop and pull For 2010 them off. We have to go about as slow as possible, but it Planting is still an improvement over pulling by hand. After several Ray A. Winter adjustments 18103-628th Ave. in the height Janesville, MN 56048 and angle of Home: 507-234-5469 the sweeper, Mobile: 507-317-7914 i t w o r k e d better. It does — PLEASE CALL WITH ORDER — occasionally p u l l o f f a Email: [email protected] f r u i t i n g cane, but we Website: www.winterhavengrapevines.com 10 Fall 2009 My Neighbor Soured My Grapes: How to Deal with Pesticide Drift by Pete Michaud and Maggie Tatton If you are a grape grower, you know that growing grapes against that neighbor. Note that most pesticide drift in Minnesota, though a rewarding endeavor, is not for incidents in Minnesota affecting grape crops have either not the timid. There is not much you can do to prevent an been pursued or have been pursued but the responsible unseasonably late frost from damaging the buds or a heavy party has settled with the owner before the case has gone July rain from swamping the vines. However, you do not to trial. Minnesota court trials concerning pesticide drift are have to sit back and idly watch while pesticides sprayed relatively scarce, likely because the amount of damages by your neighbors drift onto and damage your vines. in these types of cases is often not high enough to justify Pesticides are defined under federal law as any substance taking the case to trial. intended to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate any pest. Nonetheless, the Minnesota Supreme Court has held that Pesticides includes products that kill insects, weeds, fungi “Landowners owe a duty to use their property so as to not and rodents. Under Minnesota law, no person may “direct injure that of others” and has noted that this duty may result a pesticide onto property beyond the boundaries of the in imposition of liability in cases concerning pesticide drift. target site” or “apply a pesticide resulting in damage to (Anderson v. Minn. Dept. of Nat. Resources, 693 N.W.2d adjacent property.” (Minn. Stat. § 18B.07, Subd. 2(b).) 181, 186-187.) There are several different types of claims This damage results from the movement of pesticides you could bring against the offending neighbor, including through the air that can come into contact with your vines trespass and nuisance claims. However, the vast majority resulting in unintended consequences, including damage of actions brought against pesticide applicators as a result to the vines or grapes. of pesticide drift are based on theories of negligence. If you are aware that a neighbor has used a pesticide that Unfortunately, unless the damages to your grapes are may have damaged your grapes, you can file a complaint extensive, it likely will not be worth the time and money with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (“MDA”). involved to bring a legal claim against your neighbor. Your complaint should be submitted in writing using the However, do not underestimate the effectiveness of form available at www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/ meeting with your neighbor – either with an attorney or on licensing/pest&fert/ag00155pestfert.pdf. Upon receipt your own – to work out an amicable solution. In addition, of your complaint, a MDA staff person will evaluate there are many forms of arbitration or meditation that may the information provided and may request additional lead to a reasonable solution at a much less expensive information. If the MDA reasonably believes, based on cost than pursuing the matter in court. your complaint, that the use of a pesticide resulted in a In short, file a complaint with the state, initiate a lawsuit or violation of state or federal law, it will assign an inspector invite your neighbor over for a glass of wine and mature to the case and conduct a special inspection. conversation, but don’t let pesticide drift stop you from Important: Any complaints alleging that a pesticide harvesting your crop of high quality, Minnesota grown application has damaged a crop or vegetation must be grapes. submitted within 45 days from the date of the pesticide NOTE ABOUT AUTHORS: Pete Michaud and Maggie application. Therefore, you must act quickly if you think Tatton are attorneys at Lindquist & Vennum, P.L.L.P. pesticide drift has affected your vines. They practice primarily in the areas of general corporate If the MDA ultimately determines that pesticides applied governance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate to neighboring property illegally drifted onto your property, finance. However, their practices have been expanding it is authorized to take enforcement action against the over time to include general representation of vineyards, responsible person, including sending written warnings, breweries and food and liquor distribution companies. issuing orders to cease and desist and assessing financial More importantly, they both enjoy a good glass (or two) of penalties. However, the MDA is not authorized to seek locally produced wine. If you have any questions about compensation for you from the party responsible for the the contents of this article or other issues affecting your pesticide drift damage to your vines. business, please call Pete at (612) 371-2477. If you want or need to recover monetary damages from a EDITOR’S NOTE: The above law firm has kindly offered to write articles on legal issues affecting vineyards and wineries. If you have a idea for neighbor responsible for damage to your grapes caused a legal issue you would like explored or explained, please contact the by pesticide drift, you should consider filing a civil action editor at [email protected] or call toll-free 877-345-3531. Thanks Volume 35, Number 3 11 Great River Road Wine Trail Debuts August 30, 2009 Contact: Connie & Roger Halvorson Eagles Landing Bed & Breakfast and Winery 82 North Street, P.O. Box 93, Marquette, Iowa 52158 Tel: (563) 873-2509, [email protected] A new wine trail linking wineries in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa will be celebrated when the Great River Road Wine Trail presents its first event, a Mid- Summer Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 20th and 21st, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. The nine wineries on the trail will each present their special offerings with free samples available to the general public. Some wine trail members will also have special food items available for purchase at the event. In addition to enjoying the wines and activities at each winery, guests can also enjoy the celebrations occurring in the various villages and towns along the trail. The Great River Road Wine Trail offers a passport program that allows guests to earn a wine glass once they have visited and received stamps from each of the wineries. No purchase is necessary, and completed passports may be turned in at any time. Winery members of the trail include: Valley Vineyard – Prescott, WI; Vino in the Valley, Maiden Rock, Northern WI; Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery, Stockholm, WI; Danzinger Vineyards, Alma, WI; Seven Hawks Vineyards Vineyards, Fountain City, WI; Garvin Heights Vineyards, STILLWATER Winona, MN; Scenic Valley Winery, Lanesboro, MN; • MINNESOTA • Vernon Vineyards, Viroqua, WI; and Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, IA. Since 1977, we have specialized in the production of wines For more information about the Wine Trail, log onto S from locally-grown grapes. Current offerings include www.greatriverroadwinetrail.org. To request a copy of St. Croix, St. Pepin, , Laura’s Laughter, Edelweiss, Frontenac, Foch, La Crescent, Pinot noir, the Wine Trail’s brochure, contact one of the member Pinot gris, Prairie Star, and Gewurztraminer. wineries.

For Harvest 2009, we offer grapes, pressed juice, and bulk wine to wineries in the Upper Midwest.

For quantities and pricing, contact: Robin at 651-430-1032 during early August, or email to [email protected] 12 Fall 2009

But there’s no getting away from those really cold winters, Move Over, Napa Valley: We’re No. 1! meaning the familiar grapes of Europe - chardonnay, by MICHELLE LOCKE • Associated Press • July 22, 2009 cabernet sauvignon - can’t survive here. Wineries must Quick, what’s America’s biggest wine region? import juice or grow winter hardy grapes, many of them hybrids developed in France. If you answered California’s Napa Valley, you’re way, way off, thanks to a federal ruling that creates a new one starting Iowa’s wine industry re-emerged in the last decade, surprising today. some with medals in national competitions, Tabor says. It’s the Upper Mississippi River Valley, covering a whopping Though the region is big, the wine industry there is small 29,914 square miles and encompassing portions of and growing. Tabor estimates there are about 50 wineries Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. That’s 39 and maybe just 400 acres of vineyards. times the Napa Valley’s puny 759 or so square miles. The Napa Valley is way ahead there. Though only about 9 The new region is huge news for Midwestern vintners. percent of the area is planted in vines, that still amounts to “I’m really excited about it,” says Paul Tabor, of Tabor 45,000 acres. Home Vineyards and Winery about 40 miles south of The new AVA knocks off former No. 1, the 26,000-square- Dubuque. “Wine enthusiasts really do look at the labels mile Ohio River Valley AVA. for an appellation and now we can use that as part of our marketing story. Tabor and others say they had no intention of trying to be the biggest. American Viticulture Areas, or AVAs, recognize a unique grape-growing region that may be historically known and Once the industry matures, they would like to see the same that contains specific geological features. thing that happened in California, where smaller regions petitioned to be recognized as distinctive. Napa Valley The new region was created after area wine and agriculture includes 14 sub-appellations. officials petitioned the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which controls the designations. Use of an Warren Johnson, one of the people who led the quest for a AVA isn’t a stamp of approval, but many consumers like the new AVA, isn’t expecting the Upper Mississippi River Valley idea of buying wine from a specific area, following the French to become Napa’s rival any time soon. concept of “terroir” - that wine should reflect the character But he’s happy nonetheless. of the land it came from. Chandra E. Shaw, Soil Conservationist Though the image of the Midwest might be wide, flat plains, DeWitt Service Center, NRCS 1212 17th Ave.,DeWitt, IA 52742 (563) 659-3456 ext 3 the new AVA falls in an area that was largely skipped by Ice Age glaciers. Instead of being flat, it has the steep slopes and well-drained soil required to grow premium grapes. “With a Tweezers in One Hand and a Book in the Other” This biography, authored by Penny Krosch, records the life and grape breeding experience of Wisconsin grape pioneer Elmer Swenson. The Book may be purchased through MGGA. Volume 35, Number 3 13 2010 — BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS UNDERWAY by David Duddleston, Nominating Committee The Board of Directors’ fall recruiting season is underway. We would like to explain some of our efforts and hope you will consider applying for a position on MGGA’s Board of Directors. Over the past year, your Board has worked to: 1) improve the recruitment and vetting process of candidates for the Board, 2) help ensure Board members represent a cross section of members’ interests, and 3) ensure we diligently identify and develop individuals to take on Board leadership as part of our succession planning as discussed at the Annual Meeting last January. Your Board has developed a list of skills it considers important for those who serve. We are using this list as a benchmark against which to identify skills of current members and fill positions with candidates who can help further Board knowledge and experience. Some examples of the types of skills and experience we have identified include project management, accounting, education, marketing, publications, information technology, customer services. These are in addition, of course, to a love of grape growing and/or winemaking. We have listed these qualities in a matrix which is available on MGGA’s website. Between now and our next Annual Meeting, January 23, 2010, we are recruiting future Board candidates. We encourage each of you to consider applying. Please visit www.mngrapes.org and click on the BOD application to apply on-line. A member of the Board’s Winery & Vineyard Nominating Committee will contact you. If you prefer to complete a paper application, please download Tasting Room • Gift Shop • Art Gallery the printable version of the application and send to Open April through December D.Duddleston as instructed. We welcome your application. Located in the SW Metro, 1 mile south of Lydia on MN Hwy 13. 21646 Langford Ave. (Hwy 13) News Release - excerpt Hill City, SD • May 22, 2009 Jordan, MN 55352 2009 RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION …. The judges in particular, impressed with the wine Email: [email protected] made from University of Minnesota developed, cold hardy hybrid grapes. News of high-quality wine made www.crofutwinery.com from previously unproven grape species is a high point for an ag-based industry that is struggling with the Phone: 952-492-3227 (492-FAB7) repercussions of climate change. . . 14 Fall 2009 Chromosome Mapping of Daylength-induced Growth Cessation in the Wild Grape by James Luby, University of Minnesota The Eurasian domesticated grape Vitis vinifera L. is common temperate zone trees and shrubs. Instead, adapted to areas with moderate winter temperatures. the gradual process of growth cessation is marked by Breeding new grapevine varieties for the continental suspension of cane and summer lateral elongation, climate of North America has required the combination abscission of the meristematic shoot tip, induction of of fruit quality traits from V. vinifera with adaptive genes endodormancy in latent axillary buds, and eventual leaf from wild North American Vitis species to promote senescence. Dr. Anne Fennell, currently a professor survival and productivity in regions with shorter at South Dakota State University, discovered that growing seasons, colder midwinter temperatures, and both the northern native species V. . riparia contain greater variability in spring and fall conditions. Grapes photoperiod-sensitive ecotypes. The genetic basis have a seasonally indeterminate growth habit and for this photoperiodic induction of growth cessation are particularly vulnerable to early fall frosts; freezing in grapevines was not known. At the University of temperatures in the fall before vines are fully cold- Minnesota grape breeding program we made crosses, acclimated can result in bud death and trunk damage. beginning in the 1980s, to attempt to discover the Thus the sensitivity to environmental cues that induce genetic basis of this photoperiod sensitivity. A team growth cessation is one critical aspect of adaptation that included plant breeder Jim Luby from the University to continental climates. A better understanding of the of Minnesota, Anne Fennell, physiologist and molecular genetic control of growth cessation and the identification biologist at South Dakota State University, and of associated molecular markers would facilitate geneticist Chris Owens and bioinformatics specialist breeding for adaptation to such climates. Amanda Garris of the USDA-ARS Grape Genetics In northern latitudes, woody plants undergo several Research Unit at Geneva, NY collaborated to develop gradual and concurrent developmental changes prior a grapevine genome map suitable analysis to identify to the onset of winter, including growth cessation, regions of the genome associated with growth cessation dormancy induction, cold acclimation, and leaf in grapevine. senescence. Growth cessation requires the termination We used a second generation, or F2, mapping of cell division in the growing tip and buds in leaf axils. population for this study that was derived from Internally controlled dormancy, termed “endodormancy” an initial cross of V. riparia 37 from Manitoba with by plant physiologists, suppresses bud growth, even . Seyval blanc is relatively insensitive under permissive environmental conditions. The to decreasing daylength in the fall while Dr. Fennell physiological and metabolic changes associated established that V. riparia 37 ceases growth and begins with cold acclimation allow plant tissues to withstand acclimating when the daylength is about 13.5 hours.. colder temperatures without damage. The cessation of The photoperiod response of the F1 is intermediate growth prior to leaf senescence redirects resources into to the parents and the F2 transcends the range of the acclimation processes and remobilizes nutrients from parents (see Figure 1) . In our recent study, the F2 leaves to overwintering shoots and roots. progeny of V. riparia x ‘Seyval’ were used to develop The control of growth cessation is complex and can be a genetic linkage map of DNA markers to identify triggered in response to environmental cues, including regions of the grape genome associated with growth light, temperature, and water status. Woody plant cessation in the field and under controlled conditions in growth cessation commonly is induced by low, non- the greenhouse over a three year period. In both the freezing temperatures (2-6 ºC), which can also lead field and greenhouse studies a single genomic region to endodormancy and cold acclimation. Some woody was identified as controlling photoperiod-based growth species contain an additional mechanism for induction cessation. However, a different region controlled growth of growth cessation through a pathway mediated by cessation in the greenhouse compared with the field photoperiod sensitivity, a recognition system of the suggesting the presence of non-photoperiodic cues lengthening darkness hours of late summer. for induction of growth cessation in the field. In the greenhouse, where non-inducing temperatures were Grapevines are seasonally indeterminate and do not maintained, a QTL on LG 13 explained 80.0-96.6% set a terminal bud at the shoot tip in the fall, as do many Volume 35, Number 3 15 of the phenotypic variance of critical photoperiod for growth cessation. In the field, where vines experienced ——— FOR SALE ——— natural fluctuations in temperature and rainfall in Back Pack Mister addition to the naturally decreasing photoperiod, a QTL Modified with broad coverage mist nozzles this on LG 11 explained 85.4-94.3% of phenotypic variance. Solo 3hp Back Pack Mister has a range of 25 feet. Light weight, padded and comfortable, In the greenhouse, where warm temperatures were high performance, anti-vibration, 2 cycle gas maintained that would not induce growth cessation, a meter, hand controls with variable settings, wide region on chromosome 13 explained about 90% of the diffuser spray heads. Only used once. Covers variation among the F2 plants while in the field, where one acre in minutes! New $775.00 - Asking vines experienced natural fluctuations in temperature $250.00 or BO. Call Bill at 952-929-8825 or send and rainfall in addition to the naturally decreasing email to: [email protected] photoperiod, a region on chromosome explained 90% ATV/Tractor Mister of the variation. Presumably there is a gene or genes This solo 3hp like the one above has been in these chromosome regions from the V. riparia parent modified to simply and quickly bungee cord to a that is responsible for the earlier response to shortening 4 wheeler or a small tractor. All the same features daylengths. We are currently studying these regions as Solo Mister Back Pack above. New $775.00 - further using information from the recently published Asking $250.00 or BO. Call Bill at 952-929-8825 or send email to: [email protected] complete DNA sequence of the grape genome and genomics information from Dr. Fennell’s lab to find out which genes are in these regions of chromosomes 11 and 13 so that we might ultimately develop DNA markers for them. Having such DNA markers would allow us to screen seedlings at just a few weeks old for the presence of these desirable genes using a DNA fingerprint. Seedlings not having these essential genes for early acclimation could be eliminated before more breeding program resources are spent on them in the vineyard. The complete study is available in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science Vol. 134, pages 261-272.

Figure 1. The range of variation observed in critical photoperiod for plants of V. riparia 37, Seyval, and the F1 and F2 progeny from their cross in greenhouse (GH) and field. Data for multiple years were pooled. The median value for V. riparia, ‘Seyval’, and their F1 is indicated in parenthesis. (From the J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 134: 261-272). 16 Fall 2009

forward, but in front of the garage, some type of trellis would BACKYARD WINE GROWER have to be devised that would go up and over the garage door by John Bagniewski and up the face of the garage. I remember seeing pictures of My fascination with grapes and wine began in the early 1980s vines growing up the sides of buildings in Germany and other and back then, I was a member of MGGA for one year. I had parts of Europe and found a website called Fassadengruen no idea where to obtain grapes, so I ordered some eastern that had a lot of great ideas. varieties such as Catawba and Delaware from a garden I placed my order for three Marquette vines from Great River catalog and planted them on the south side of my house in Vineyard. Through the winter, I attended grape growing north Minneapolis. To protect the vines during the winter, I workshops and MGGA’s cold climate conference in February. trained the trunks to the “J” system so they could be buried. They did nothing to extinguish my insanity but served to fan it For several years I pruned and buried and nurtured, but with even further. Three vines just didn’t seem enough. I’d stand in little crop to show. front of my garage and stare at the empty slab of concrete next About ten years ago, I moved to my present location west of to it that reached from the fence to the edge of the alley. 10’x downtown Minneapolis with a small yard and just enough sun 12’ of wasted space IN FULL SUN. Hm-m-m. What would stop between my garage and the neighbor’s to raise a few tomato me from busting up the slab, tilling up what was under there, plants and some beans. Not exactly the stuff successful adding more soil and putting in more vines? And while I was vineyards are made of. It’s hard to pinpoint where my renewed at it, I could take down the fence, move some raspberries and interest in growing grapes began. I was starting to learn extend into the garden area. Ta-da! Room for more vines! more about wines and experienced a few finer ones that had In April, after the snow was gone and the ground thawed, me saying “wow”. “Who knew wine could be like this?” My I set to breaking up the slab. Figuring it must be similar to knowledge of the ‘world of wine’ was rapidly expanding. I sidewalk concrete, I went at it with a 5 foot crow bar and a read a few books, watched videos and searched the web for sledge hammer but got nowhere fast. There was wire mesh all I could absorb. Somewhere along the way, I happened imbedded in it. This would need bigger guns so I went and on the University of Minnesota’s website and learned of new rented a jackhammer. Now there was progress. My partner cold hardy varieties such as Frontenac and the just released Brad who was convinced I had lost my mind, pulled up a lawn Marquette which caught my attention immediately. They chair with a cool drink to watch the show. I lasted about an also had a link to Minnesota Grape Growers Association and hour. My strength just gave out. My “audience” got up, took the I decided to rejoin. The newsletters, visits to wineries and jackhammer and said, “Let me.” Over the next couple hours, several workshops quickly armed me with new knowledge and we continued to break up the slab, him on the jackhammer tools to pursue my interest in grapes and wine. and me clearing chunks and wire mesh. A neighbor took I was exploring “WineMaker Magazine” online and was in the some of the concrete for fill and we dumped the rest at the section on Grape Growing. In it was an article by Wes Hagen Minneapolis transfer station. A couple of days later, I rented titled, “Top 10 Vineyard Tricks of the Trade”. Trick #8 included the answer to the question, “Why do you want to plant a vineyard?” Wes Hagen states that there is only one response that justifies the time and effort it takes: “My love of wine has reached a level where I have tasted wines from every major global wine region, I have traveled the world of wine, visited vineyards in other countries, and now I have no other choice: I must plant a vineyard or I’m going to go crazy.” That seemed to sum up my growing insanity. But where could I find the sun drenched space to plant my 507-249-WINE vineyard? Land in the country would make perfect sense Weekends May - Oct but I have ties to the city. And I knew I wanted to be near my www.fieldstonevineyards.com grapes. Long distance viticulture wasn’t an option for me. I 38577 St. Hwy 68 toyed with buying an empty lot from the city but that proved Morgan, MN to be impractical as well. Then last summer (2008), I planted 5 Miles West of Morgan/Hwy 68 some flowering vines along the south facing front of my garage and the fence next to it. The vines soon flourished and Minnesota Wine From wound their way up twine I had strung and continued to bloom Minnesota Grapes & Fruit profusely! They obviously were very happy in the full all-day sun. (This was when the light bulb went off!) That’s it! This is a perfect spot for grapes. By the fence, it was pretty straight Volume 35, Number 3 17 a rototiller. The soil under the slab looked promising, sandy- loam and not too much clay, but with its share of rocks. I then VitiNord 2009 • November 9-11 worked in a half yard of top soil. A soil test showed no major Hôtel des Seigneurs de Saint-Hyacinth problems, high phosphorus, low potassium, slightly basic pH Quebec, Canada but no show stoppers. The International Association of Northern Viticulture With the site right by the alley, cars driving by and curious (IANV) will hold its second international conference, children running around, I felt I needed to put up some sort of VitiNord 2009, to be held November 9-11, 2009, at deterrent. Decorative fencing looked nice, was expensive and the Hôtel des Seigneurs de Saint-Hyacinth, 1200, rue didn’t provide much security. It would also shade too much. Johnson, Saint-Hyacinthe (Québec) Canada. Chain link was functional and my best bet. I was able to find a used 12’x 6’ dog kennel on “Craigs list” that fit the bill. I set a This international conference is focused on viticulture in number of posts, attached the panels, and proceeded to wait cold climates. It is a continuation of the 2006 conference for the vines to arrive. It was late April. I wanted to get the held in Riga, Latvia, where 15 countries, all on the trellis up but had a hard time finding pressure treated round northern fringes of grape culture (including Russia, posts in the city. I checked lumber yards and the home centers Ukraine, Poland and Norway), were represented. but couldn’t find any. At John Marshall’s suggestion, I checked with Fleet Farm and found what I needed in Blaine. I had a According to Tom Plocher, founding member of IANV good idea how to build a trellis but had to adapt some of the and author of Northern Winework, “During my travels things I learned at the workshops. A backyard vineyard is at a throughout northern China, Russia, the Baltic countries, whole different scale. I had 6 vines whereas most commercial and Scandinavia, I discovered that there were many operations had 100 or 1000 times more. I didn’t require high people just like me developing grape varieties and tensile wire, deep, angled end post braces, or heavy duty viticultural techniques adapted to cold climates. So I ratchet tensioners. I found what was needed for my 30 feet thought, what if we could get all these people together of trellis at the hardware store: galvanized wire, wire clamps, at the same meeting?” The result was the Riga and turnbuckles to tighten the wire. conference in 2006. VitiNord 2009 promises to continue The day I had waited 6 months for, finally arrived. The tube in the tradition established by the Riga conference. containing the vines rolled toward me when I opened the door. Once again we will have a meeting of all the people “They’re here!” I was so excited, I thought I’d jump out of my around the world devoted to cold climate viticulture. skin! It was May 5th. I put the vines in the fridge and planted them the next day. After they were in the ground, I staked up In keeping with the goals of the IANV, VitiNord 2009 the grow tubes I got at MDT and proceeded to wait. A week will be a conference for growers and producers, rather and a half later, they were at bud break. I continued work than an academic conference. As such, it will focus on the trellis, added braces and strung wire, 12 ga. for the on providing opportunities for practitioners to enhance fruiting wire and 16 ga. for the rest. Turnbuckles worked well their viticulture and winemaking knowledge through to provide tension. By June 13th the vines were to the top of practical workshops, winetasting events, lectures and the grow tubes. They continued to grow through the summer as I weeded and occasionally watered. I enjoyed checking panels. Researchers, hybridizers, vine growers, and the vines every few days and watch their steady progress. wine producers in cold regions from around the globe By the end of August, three of the six were well over the top will share their knowledge, techniques, and experiences (6 ft.) wire. The others were not far behind. With the arrival through these various event formats. of September, it’s time to remove the grow tubes and let the For more information, visit: www.vitinord.com or contact the vines harden off for winter. conference coordinator at: [email protected] This is as far as the adventure of pursuing my own grapes and wine has come. I think I knew how much work it would be, but I never realized how much fun! An added bonus has been the neighbors I’ve met who would stop by to see what LOOKING FOR ARTICLES was going on and learning for the first time that quality wine Articles submitted to the editor AND used in the grapes do grow in Minnesota. The scope of a backyard wine NFTN will entitle the author to a grower may be smaller than that of a commercial vineyard but FREE one year MGGA membership. we all share a love and excitement for the grape. Good luck 500 word minimum and must be of interest to to us all! [email protected] northern grape growing / winemaking. Submit to: John Marshall — [email protected] Photos at: http://www.norsepol.com/vineyard 18 Fall 2009 MGGA Strategic Planning Update by Kori Knudsen The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Grape The following is a high level overview of the strategic Growers Association (“MGGA”) continues to framework of the MGGA through year 2015. demonstrate a deep commitment to fulfilling the MISSION mission of MGGA. The Board has long recognized The Association’s Bylaws states the purpose of the that the grape and wine industry in Minnesota is MGGA: evolving. In response, over the past year, the “To carry out within the state of Minnesota and surrounding Board has been engaged in strategic planning to areas the education, promotion and extension of the art position the Association to best support its diverse and science of viticulture in Minnesota including any and all membership interests (commercial & hobbyist) agricultural, horticultural and related purposes connected and the industry during this period of growth and therewith.” beyond. VISION The Board has taken the following steps toward establishing a strategic plan for the MGGA. In recognition of the challenges that the Minnesota grape and wine industry faces as it continues to evolve, MGGA • In June 2008, the Board participated in a strategic feels it is prudent to focus its aspirations for the future. planning retreat, facilitated by an outside consultant. This retreat provided valuable “MGGA will be recognized as the primary resource and a insight, generated excellent ideas, and set the leading contributor to the growth of cold climate viticulture, ground work for the ongoing strategic planning and possess the organizational infrastructure necessary to process. contribute to the commercial advancement of the Minnesota • The Board instituted strategic planning grape and wine industry.” discussions as part of the routine agenda at each Board meeting. This has instilled in the Board STRATEGIC GOALS that strategic planning is an ongoing dynamic MGGA will strive to achieve its vision through process that must be nurtured and managed. accomplishing the following goals: • The Board held a number of additional strategic • Grow Minnesota grape and wine industry planning focus sessions and developed the strategic framework of the MGGA. • Enhance MGGA member services and benefits • Currently, the Board is developing a detailed • Increase MGGA organizational capacity work plan to achieve the stated strategic goals. Please attend the annual meeting January 23, 2010 for In addition, the MGGA authorized a vineyard survey more information about the MGGA strategic plan. and economic impact study in 2008, conducted by the University of Minnesota under the leadership YOU make great things happen! of Dr. William Gartner. The results of this study MGGA is always looking for volunteers to assist in support the efficacy of the grape and wine industry in various capacities, provide leadership on committees, Minnesota, while highlighting both the opportunities and to serve on the Board of Directors. With the and challenges most likely to surface in the near generous donation of your time and talent, you will be a future as a relatively young industry facing rapid part of making great things happen within the Minnesota change1. This study has provided the Board with grape and wine industry. valuable insight and has been instrumental in For more information, please contact: shaping the strategic plan. Cyndi Ross – Events Chair, MGGA 1 View the results of the study on the MGGA website [email protected] or (www.mngrapes.org) and the related article in the last Paula Soholt - Vice President, MGGA edition of the MGGA Notes From The North (summer 2009). [email protected] Volume 35, Number 3 19 Dues Linked to MGGA Financial Stability Over the past thirty plus years, the MGGA has evolved Other resources, listings, and activities supported by to meet the information and networking needs of your MGGA dues include: our membership. The MGGA is in the final planning • MGGA website: www.mngrapes.org stages for its 6th annual Cold Climate Grape & Wine • MGGA’s quarterly newsletter, Notes from the North Conference which is expected to exceed expectations • Growing Grapes in Minnesota, an MGGA publication once again of 500+ attendees. The conference, held covering the fundamentals of growing cold hardy in February each year, features two days of grower grapes; periodic grant opportunities for other free and wine maker sessions filled with important industry publications useful to our membership information and networking opportunities. This year will • a loan library for members with books and videos on grape growing and winemaking also include the 3rd Annual Wine Stroll featuring 100+ • annual meeting and winter symposium held in wines poured by 25+ wineries from the region and will January again feature the People’s Choice Award for favorite • annual picnic, including education sessions for wine served at the stroll. The annual conference is just growers one example of what the MGGA offers to cold climate • the MGGA booth at the Minnesota State Fair offering grape growers and wine makers. assistance to current and prospective growers

On behalf of the MGGA board of directors and the membership I welcome you and look forward to meeting you in the future.

Membership is very important to MGGA’s financial stability, so please renew your 2010 membership now. Visit www.mngrapes.org to renew online; or Complete & send the form below with your check/money order; Email [email protected] if you have any questions about your status.

PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY q RENEWAL q New/Change 1) Are you a grower? q yes q no Winemaker? q yes q no

Name:______Other?______

Business:______2) q Amateur q Professional

Address:______3) How many vines do you have planted? ______

City:______Future plans?______

State/Province:______4) What is the predominate variety planted?______

Zip:______Country:______

Phone:(______)______Future plans?______

Email:______

q Yes, I prefer to receive my quarterly newsletter via email instead of receiving it by mail at the reduced membership Join or renew by visiting www.mngrapes.org or rate of $40. This option requires a valid email address. complete & mail this form and your $45 check to: MGGA (Minnesota Grape Growers Assn.) *Membership dues are $45, but by choosing your NFTN be sent 433 West Third Street, Suite 1 via email, your membership is discounted $5 to $40. Red Wing, MN 55066 Minnesota Grape Growers Association MDT & Associates 3319 York Ave. N. President: Tom Martell Vice President: Paula Soholt Minneapolis, MN 55422 Secretary: Richard C. Mollin Local: (763) 529-4355 Treasurer: Ron Barnes Toll Free: 1-888-530-7082 Board of Directors: David J. Duddleston, Donald Slinger, Kori Knudsen, Cyndi L. Ross, Alan K. Olson, Fax: (763) 522-5843 Thomas Mohn, Dale Olmstead, John Thull, E-Mail: [email protected] Larry Westerberg, Nick Smith, Mark Wedge www.mdtgrow.com Jim Luby-Ex Officio Editor: John Marshall Call MaryJo for a free catalog Purpose Statement: The Minnesota Grape Growers Association Free grow tube sample on request (MGGA) was formed to further the art and science of growing grapes in cold climates. The Association sponsors grape growing instructional Supplies for Vineyards workshops and events for those interested in learning more about grape SERVING GROWERS growing and winemaking in Minnesota. Pruning Shears, Saws, Loppers LIKE SINCE 1986!YOU Membership Information: Both amateur and experienced commercial growers are invited to join. Membership is *$45 per year and includes Budding & Grafting Knives our Notes From The North quarterly newsletter and, for new members, a Grow Tubes & Treeshelters booklet, Growing Grapes in Minnesota. Send check to Cheri Anderson, 433 West 3rd Street, Ste. 1, Red Wing, MN 55066 Wire Tighteners and Joiners Email: [email protected] Post Staples & Clips, Tying & Trellising Supplies Advertisement: $50 per quarterly issue or $175 per year for ¼ page. Birdgard Electronic Alarms Contact the editor for additional advertising information. Birdcare Items: Cannons, Netting E-mail: [email protected] Deer Repellent, Picking Shears, Grape Forks COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: Unless otherwise noted all material may be copied, quoted, etc., provided the author and MGGA are credited. The editor Refractometers, PH Meters, Books authors all material and photographs without a designated author or source. Fast, Friendly Service! *Membership is $40 if you choose to receive the newsletter via email.

If your mailing label still says 2009 or before, it’s time to renew for 2010.

STD PRST MAIL Notes From The North US Postage Minnesota Grape Growers Association Paid Permit #375 433 West 3rd Street, Ste. 1 Red Wing, MN Red Wing, MN 55066 55066

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 2010 Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference – Februa ry 11 -13, 2010 Sheraton Bloomington Hotel – Minneapolis South | 7800 Normandale Boulevard | Minnneapolis, MN 55439

THURSDAY Alcoholic Fermentation and MLF: Pruning & Trimming Grapevines 6:00 – 6:50 PM Anna Katharine Mansfield Tim Rehbein Basics of Wine Sensory Trellising Bas ics 7:00 – 7:50 PM Paul Gospodarczyk John Marshall Wine Analysis Eq uipment Intro to Sprayers & Spraying 8:00 – 8:50 PM Nick Smith Mike White FRIDAY 7:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast Trade Show 8:30 – 8:40 AM Welcome - Tom Martell, MGGA President Trade Show Making a Commitment to Quality 8:40 – 9:30 AM Trade Show Steve Westby, Witness Tree Vineya rds, O regon 9:30 - 10:00 AM Refreshments Trade Show Vine Nutrition Bud Break 10:00 – 10:50 AM The Law of Wine: Legal Challenges from Trade Show Carl Rosen Seth McFarland Growing to Making & Selling Vineyard Floor Christopher Hermann Spray Drift 11:00 – 11:50 AM Management Trade Show Chair, Wine Law Group - Stoel Rives LLP Mike White Tim Martinson 12:00 PM Trade Show 12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch 1:00 PM Trade Show Grapevine Cold Hardiness 2:00 – 2:50 PM Trade Show Post Fermentation Considerations: Peter Hemstad 2:45 – 3:00 PM  Fining Agents & Wine Stability Refreshments Trade Show

 Filtration & Bottling 5 Key Steps to a Profitable Vineyard 3:00 – 3:50 PM Trade Show  Wine Adjustments Tim Martin son Anna Katharine Mansfield Preliminary Results of Michael Jones Food Alliance Midwest the IA Multi-Site 4:00 – 4:50 PM Pierre-Yves Bournerias Trade Show Bob Olson Variety Trial Paul Domoto 7:00 – 9:00 PM Midwest Wine Stroll SATURDAY 7:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast Trade Show Future of the Grape & Wine Industry – Richard Leahy 8:30 – 9:20 AM Trade Show East Coast Editor and Director of Eastern Programs for Vineyard & Winery Management Growing U of M & Swenson 9:30 – 10:20 AM ICCWC Panel Varieties in VT Trade Show Chris Granstrom Wine Service & 10:15 – 10:30 AM Tasting Refreshments Trade Show

Room Training MLF Timing & Biological Methods for Acid 10:30 – 11:20 AM Paul Gospodarczyk Trade Show Management Nick Smith/ Michael Jones Grape Growers Roundtable Quality Wine 11:30 AM –12:20 PM Trade Show Seth McFarland 12:30 PM Trade Show 12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch 1:00 PM Trade Show Wine Production 2:00 – 2:50 PM Regional Update Panel (Trends, Laws) Trade Show Pierre -Yves Bournerias 2: 45 – 3:00 PM Refreshments Trade Show Table Grapes 3:00 – 3:50 PM Trade Show Winemakers Roundtable: John Marshall Financial & Enterprise Marquette Organic/Sustainable Education 4:00 – 4:50 PM Trade Show Growing 7:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday Evening Banquet