GRAPE PRESS Spring 2021 The Quarterly Newsletter of the VIRGINIA VINEYARDS ASSOCIATION Vol. 37 No. 1 GROWER OF THE YEAR President’s Corner VVA Looks Ahead to Serving Growers Editor's Note: The following is the first column for Grape Press by Skip Causey, the new president of the VVA. By Skip Causey Potomac Point Vineyard Jack Looney & Winery Carrington King, vineyard manager and co-owner of King Family Vineyards in Crozet, has been named Grower of the Year by the VVA. For more on Carrington and the award, see Page 12. uring our preparation for the 2021 Winter DTechnical Meeting, the VVA Board discussed a number of current issues and concerns for Virginia vineyards. Many of Lessons Learned in the Field the items brought up related to the theme of soil health. I think Pursuit of Finer Wine Leads Back to the Terroir soil health will be an important issue in the years to come, so we By Jim Law name just a few. will continue to keep it front and Linden Vineyards It became abundantly clear that in order center. to achieve the next level of wine quality the At our winter meeting, ardscrabble Vineyard has been a majority of the vineyard had to be pulled up and soil scientist Laura Lengnick continuous evolution. The first vines replanted. This process had to be gradual and helped set the tone for the soil Hwere planted in 1985. By the early systematic, as Linden did need grapes to make health theme, and our afternoon 2000s it became evident that many uninformed enough wine to keep the business going. speakers brought some real- decisions had proven detrimental to wine We are now enjoying the fruits of our efforts, world ideas into focus. quality: Mismatches of soils and variety, a but for this article I would like to share some One of the concerns involved failure to respect landscape form (planting in of the setbacks and lessons experienced along the increase in the quarantined swales, dips, and low areas), inefficient row the way. area for the spotted lanternfly, direction (E/W), excessive spacing, and overly ambitious training systems (Lyre and GDC). To See TERROIR on page 8 See PRESIDENT on page 2 INSIDE Regional Stay Tracking updates ahead of vineyard starting on Phomopsis, labor costs, Page 3 Page 10 Page 14 virginiavineyardsassociation.org PRESIDENT'S CORNER (cont.) PRESIDENT, from page 1 ideas to life and make this event happen. We do look forward to having next year’s and we heard excellent updates from Heather winter meeting hosted as an in-person Leach, an Extension Associate with Penn event. We are already in discussion with VVA BOARD State, and Doug Pfieffer, Fruit Entomologist the Omni in Charlottesville VA about dates. 2021 at Virginia Tech. We understand that one vital part of these But when I noted that the spotted sessions is networking with like-minded President lanternfly’s expansion in Virginia and other folks who can share advice and struggles. Skip Causey states would be an important And, of course, taste some topic, Tony Wolf’s response wine! [email protected] stopped me short. He said that Also, keep an eye out for while the spotted lanternfly information on this year’s Past President would be a continuing concern, Summer Technical meeting. Nate Walsh for most folks this year, the 17- We are not yet sure how, [email protected] year cicada will likely be more where, or when this will be so traumatic. Okay, time to do please stay tuned. Tracy will Vice President some research! be sending out a poll to all our Todd Henkle The first article that I read members asking about topics about the 17-year cicada or themes for both upcoming [email protected] referred to them as Brood sessions. X. Why does the letter “X” I look forward to working Treasurer always carry such ominous with the current VVA Board AJ Greely connotations? Brood X, also as we move beyond this trying [email protected] known as the Great Eastern year. I especially want to thank Brood, will come out of its 17- VVA President Skip Causey Nate Walsh and Tom Kelly for Secretary year hibernation this year as their leadership and for all they Emily Belcher soon as the ground hits 64 degrees. have done to promote the Virginia Vineyards [email protected] In the 15 states where Brood X resides Association. there will not be millions, but rather, billions And congratulations to Nate and his wife, At-Large Board Members of cicadas emerging with one goal: to breed. Sarah, on the birth of their new son, who Jeanette Smith I still remember as a kid growing up in arrived, appropriately enough, in the middle Woodbridge, Virginia, when the cicada of our Winter Technical Meeting. [email protected] Brood X came out. My brother and I would Maya Hood White pick the shells off the trees and collect them [email protected] in shopping bags. Of course, we used them “My goal is to ... continue to scare the heck out of my sister and her Advisor friends. making [the VVA] self- What I also remember was the super loud Dr. Tony K. Wolf noise. The eerie buzz was so loud that my sustaining and focused on [email protected] brother and I were convinced that a flying what you all need most.” saucer straight from “Buck Rodgers” or Business Manager “Lost in Space” was just over the next hill. Tracy Kirkman We looked for days but never found it. This info@virginiavineyards 2021 Brood X invasion will be another My goal is to continue running this association.org dramatic event in a strange Covid-19 year, association as a small business and to one more suited to a “Twilight Zone” continue making it self-sustaining and Grape Press/Website Editors episode. focused on what you all need most. We Bob Garsson & Chris Garsson In closing, I hope you enjoyed the virtual will continue to work with the Virginia Winter Technical meeting this year. The Wineries Association, the Wine Board, and editor@virginiavineyards panelists did a great job and there were the Winemakers Research Exchange to keep association.org several great questions and followup emails the whole vineyard and wine industry strong going back and forth. and growing. A special thanks to Nate Walsh, Tracy If there are any topics that you think Special thanks for this issue to: Kirkman, Tremain Hatch, Mizuho Nita, and, warrant discussion or any questions you Rachel Lagergren, Jim Law, of course, Tony Wolf. Every year, the VVA need answered, please contact me or anyone Mizuho Nita, Grayson Poats, Board comes up with several ideas, and else on the VVA Board so we can help (see Dean Triplett these folks work hard all year to bring those contact info in Board box at left). VVA Mailing Address P.O. Box 168 Waterford, Va. 20197 The Virginia Vineyards Association (VVA) provides Grape Press for general information purposes only. The views and info@virginiavineyards opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect any official position or policy of the VVA and are not a VVA endorse- ment of products, practices or services. Before adopting any practices discussed here or purchasing any product or association.org service, users should exercise due diligence and seek professional advice when appropriate. 2 REGIONAL REPORTS NORTHERN VA. “I’m preparing for the arrival of new Albariño vines this April ...” By Dean Triplett of the vines, it’s also good for insect The vine can be damaged enough that the Greenstone Vineyard survivability. cane will possibly die back to that point or be We always have to be concerned about weak enough to be an issue in future years. he winter of 2020-21 started out Japanese beetles, grape berry moths, and the Bill Hatch at Zephaniah Vineyards told quietly. But by January, snow and like. But with the lack of really cold temps me that he noticed that first-leaf vines are ice made their first appearance, the concern will be greater as the season the perfect size wood for egg deposition. The continuing into February. As I write progresses. last time the brood emerged, he had to make Tthis report on Feb. 18, we’re in the midst of So far, I haven’t had any occurrence of sure he pruned all the new vines to below the an ice/snow/sleet storm. This storm is the Pierce’s Disease, at least not that I’m aware damaged area. This is especially important third of the season so far. Fortunately, none of, but warmer overnight temps don’t help when establishing the young vines’ initial of the events have been much of a problem with suppressing the vector which causes the structure. with only about six inches of the white stuff disease. As with most winters, life in the vineyard at any one time. Adding to this year’s list of critters to worry is pretty slow. I’m preparing for the arrival We haven’t done any pruning yet but should about, I believe we will see the emergence of new Albariño vines this April which will be starting in about a week or two. February of cicada Brood X. The last time this insect fill out my vineyard. It’s only an additional so far has been colder than normal, according cycled through I didn’t think too much of quarter acre, but with the three quarters of to the meteorologists. But this has not it. However, it wound up being an issue the an acre that I planted last year it will make equated to very low overnight temperatures.