September 7, 2006

Vineyard owners expect a good harvest

RICHMOND—Though this summer’s hot, dry weather has caused problems for other types of farm operations, Virginia vineyard owners believe this year’s wine grape harvest will be a flavorful one.

Harvesting already has begun at some vineyards.

“We are already two weeks ahead of last year for harvesting,” said Megan Seibel, operator of Mountain View Farm and Vineyard in Botetourt County and a member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Wine Grape Advisory Committee. “That is good news for us. Normally our frost comes on around Oct. 15, and last year we were still picking grapes until Oct. 30. I think we’ll be done harvesting this year before frost.”

Most counties in Virginia have experienced a hot, dry summer. When temperatures are high and days are sunny, grapes thrive.

“The weather we have had this summer has increased the sugar levels and given the grapes a nice acid level, which will intensify the flavor,” Seibel said.

Good winemaking begins with high-quality fruit. Some producers are saying this is the best year they have had since 1998, which also was hot and dry.

“The only concern we have now is that the rain holds off for harvest,” Seibel said.

With storms moving up the East Coast, concerns are real for too much rain just as harvest begins.

“That can really cause problems for us,” said Tony Champ, owner of White Hall Vineyards in Albemarle County and another member of the VFBF Wine Grape Advisory Committee. “If the rains come as expected it will slow up our harvest, and the grapes will pick up moisture. That means we will have to wait a couple days after the rain for the fruit to lose the moisture.” If grapes are close to being ripe, or if they are fully ripe, too much moisture can bring on fungal diseases or cause the grapes to split.

“When you grow grapes in Virginia you get used to hurricane season being the same as harvest season,” Champ added. “It would drive the folks in California crazy. We just learn to live with it here.”

Contact Seibel at 540-977-6214, Champ at 434-823-8615 or Sherri McKinney, VFBF video producer, at 804-290-1148.