This Issue of The Grapevine Magazine

Few things frustrate vineyard operators more than producing healthy grapes only to have them eaten by pests. Small insects are a significant cause for concern, but larger animals often put delicate grapes at risk as well. This article will discuss the topic of wildlife control in the vineyard and the various ways that vineyards can effectively and humanely deter wildlife to protect their valuable grapes. Wildlife That Impact Vineyards Matt Doyle of Doyle Vineyard Management in Hammondsport, New York told The Grapevine Magazine that the most common pest problems that occur in the Finger Lakes region are deer, birds, and turkey. A premier Finger Lakes region grape grower, Doyle Vineyard Management also offers full-service vineyard management services and sustainable vineyard […]

Between last year’s harvest and the new growing season lies a gnarled mess of grape vines. The plants rested during the winter and are ready to begin their new growth cycle. First, however, the dormant plants will need pruning. For vines young and old, pruning is the key to managing canopy, fruit quality and growth. “One of the most important vineyard practices a vineyard owner must accomplish every single year is dormant pruning. Pruning grapes aids in keeping the shape and architecture of the vine, sets the ultimate crop load for the season and encourages fruit formation for the following season,” said Michael Cook, Viticulture Program Specialist at North Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Cook provides research-based knowledge to members […]

A winemaker is a person that is engaged in the selection and growing of a perishable raw material that is made into a perishable fermented product containing alcohol.  This simplistic statement just begins to state one’s duty as a winemaker.  In reality a winemaker is so much more. The descriptions provided below are not fitting for all winemakers but perhaps the majority.  As corporations have become prominent in the wine industry, some of these duties are eliminated or minimized; yet, most of the people holding corporate winemaking titles have come up through the ranks of hard knocks.  Few excel in this profession without dragging hoses first and planting vines with their bare hands before sitting at the cushy, but very […]

On November 26, 2018, the TTB published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking, titled, Modernization of the Labeling and Advertising Regulations for Wine, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages (83 Fed. Reg. 60,609).  The purpose of these proposed rules is to “simplify and clarify regulatory standards, incorporate guidance documents and current policy into the regulations, and reduce the regulatory burden on industry members where possible.” When the federal government wants to change rules Americans are subject to, they must first publish the proposed rules and provide a period of time for the public to comment and make suggestions.  The government agency is required to review and consider all suggestions before implementing a final rule. This process is not […]

Spoiler alert: nothing I talk about in these predictions is groundbreaking, or new technology or techniques for marketing. These are tactics that the digital eCommerce world has been using and perfecting for quite some time. We hear about these strategies at conferences, and experience them with other brands we interact with…but we don’t take those practices to work with us when we market our wine. We are a slow industry to adopt new trends. Why is that? Margins are Low Margins are low across the board for wine – albeit better in Direct To Consumer (DTC) channels versus wholesale – but the hospitality cost that is carried on the DTC side balances the scales. Management, at any company, is going […]

By now, most winery owners have heard the buzz regarding event insurance.  Sure, you know it exists, but do you really know exactly what event insurance covers and how it can benefit your clients (and you)? Event insurance is a necessity for winery owners looking to keep themselves, and their clients, protected.  We recently talked with Lauren Hernandez, Senior Event Insurance Specialist at Markel Specialty insurance to learn more. “It is probably important to first point out that there are two different types of event insurance– event liability and event cancellation,” states Hernandez. LIABILITY INSURANCE “Event liability protects the person hosting an event at your facility,” Hernandez explained.  If during their event someone causes property damage to your winery or […]

Galileo said, “Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” A wine enthusiast may have this quote in calligraphy on a decorative wall hanging, but winemakers and vineyard managers know the truth behind it. Vineyard irrigation isn’t often a romantic craft topic, but its constant evolution requires frequent examination and an exchange of knowledge so each droplet replenishes the vine in just the right way. And while American Viticultural Areas (AVA) delineate regions with similar characteristics, individual landscapes still present unique challenges in water management that encourage or prohibit the best yield. This is when the application of science influences art. Fine-Tuning Your Approach Maybe after last year’s harvest, you discovered some inconsistencies. Perhaps your current system isn’t as effective, or […]

Throughout 2018, the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs on several foreign goods, and the retaliatory tariffs that followed suit have confused markets and worried many businesses. The alcohol industry—wine, beer, spirits and those who support them—have all been affected in some way by these tariffs, or expect to be in 2019 if they continue. With the news on tariffs changing almost monthly, it can be hard to keep up, which causes further insecurity for the industry. Timeline of Events   Trade tensions began in January 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on solar cells and washing machines after a report stating that imports were hurting the domestic U.S. market in those businesses. On March 8, 2018, President Trump announced […]

The primary role of yeast in winemaking is to convert the sugars in grape-must into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Selecting a yeast is one of the most critical decisions in the winemaking process. The yeast strain you choose will affect how quickly fermentation begins and how rapidly it progresses, as well as impact the aromas, color and character of the final product. While all winemakers use a yeast called Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, within this species are hundreds of strains designed to produce a myriad of characteristics. To guide winemakers through the yeast selection process, The Grapevine Magazine talked with legendary Napa Valley winemaker Tom Eddy, who has been making wines since the 1970s. Eddy started his brand, Tom Eddy Winery, in […]

Wine education is a constant throughout the wine industry. From continuing education to specialized training for Sommeliers and wine professionals, quality wine education is essential. Even wine journalists, seeking to understand the industry and increase their wine appreciation continue their education through classes offered by organizations like the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET). WSET is a globally recognized, not-for-profit educational organization that specializes in quality wine education throughout the world. From their flagship school in London, they offer qualifications in wines, spirits and sake to professionals and enthusiasts both in-person and online. These classes include first, second and third level qualifications in wines, spirits and sake, and a fourth level diploma in wines and spirits. WSET does not provide […]

From coast to coast, the winery business is booming. With the latest statistics showing upwards of 8,300 wineries in North America, the competition is stronger than ever, making it critical for winemakers to build brand loyalty early, ideally within the first visit or tasting experience. Although the construction of a winery is an industrial project, it’s also about creating an enjoyable, customer driven, retail environment. Success in the wine industry depends on the work of many individuals but always starts with a thorough plan of action. Planning Is Critical Burt Shell, Director of Group Sales for industry leader Nucor Buildings Group, has over 30 years of experience and product knowledge in the metal building industry, including significant experience in the […]

British Columbia touts the tag-line ‘Super, Natural British Columbia’ in their tourism branding and advertising, drawing visitors from all over the world to come and see Canadian wildlife in all its natural glory.  Wilderness tourism is a primary driver of all tourism in BC, which in total represents $13.8 billion in revenue and 132,000 direct jobs. The region is blessed with a rich variety of habitats and wildlife and distinct wine growing regions surrounded by stunning natural scenery. Some of the same factors of climate, soil, and geography that contribute to growing the wine industry also support a diversity of unique ecosystems and plant and animal populations. As the human population and development expand, many wildlife species increasingly depend on […]