US: The Winter That Just Wouldn't Quit

May 6, 2015

(Wines&Vines) - Grapegrowers across the East and Midwest hoped the winter of 2014-15 wouldn’t be as severe as the previous winter, when the infamous Polar Vortex delivered extremely cold temperatures multiple times from December through March. This past winter began with milder weather, but in mid-February temperatures dropped below zero from Virginia to New England and across the Midwest. And once it turned cold, it stayed cold.

The good news for growers in many regions was that the vines were ready for cold temperatures. Tony Wolf, professor of viticulture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, stated in his Viticulture Notes supplement in mid-March that “vines were probably at or near their maximal expression of cold hardiness given the preceding cold, but generally non-injurious, temperatures to which they had been subjected. Had the extreme cold been preceded by unusually warm temperatures (>50° F), the vines would likely have fared worse.”

In some areas, other factors came into play. In Michigan, for example, the stressed condition of vines as a result of the previous winter’s frigid weather may have made them more susceptible to damage from another cold winter. According to Paolo Sabbatini, associate professor of horticulture at Michigan State University, Michigan historically has had a really difficult winter every 15 to 20 years, and to have two cold winters in a row is very tough on grapevines.

The presence or lack of snow in vineyards can also play an important role in ultimate vine health. Sabbatini told Wines & Vines, “In 2014 we had snow up to the cordons, but this year we had limited snowfall. We had three events when temperatures dropped below the limit for grapes, and I think we may see lots of damage. But we’ll have to wait for spring to determine how much trunk damage there is.” In Sabbatini’s estimation, bud break probably won’t occur for another two weeks. Sabbatini thinks there may be a 100% loss of the Merlot, Traminette and Cayuga crop, but that Riesling may be in “pretty good” shape. Marquette, the premium cold-hardy grape for red wine, and other Minnesota hybrids don’t seem to have much damage.


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