SUMMER VINEYARD WALKAROUND SERIES
THURSDAY, July 30, 1998
This meeting is a unique opportunity to see established, mature vines trained to a variety of vertically divided training systems. Mica Ridge Vineyard was started in 1992 with most planting finished in 1994. The vineyard utilizes several variation of the Scott-Henry training, Smart Dyson training and TK2T. Rows are seven feet apart and the vineyard currently has 8 acres planted. Cropping levels have been as high as 12 tons per acre and appear to be capable of averaging 8-10 tons per acre. Cabernet Sauvignon (4 clones), Cabernet Franc, Merlot (3clones), Dolcetto, Carmine, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc are all grown in commercial quantities. All vines are cordon trained and spur pruned. Vines of various ages are available to display the steps in training the various systems. Mica Ridge has an ongoing vinifera breeding program with seedlings in fruit to be seen. Approximately 100 hybrid cultivars are being tested on single to several vine basis, which include Munson cultivars, selections from Dr. Good's defunct program, and from Elmer Swenson and Byron Johnson, along with other miscellaneous cultivars.
PROGRAM
Stone Barn Restaurant
9:00-9:30 Registration- Coffee and Donuts
9:30 -10:15 Vineyard Characteristics that Produce Premium Wines- Andrew Reynolds, Ph.D. Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario
10:15-11:00 "East meets West": A Sabbatical Tale of Grapes. Barbara L. Goulart, Ph.D. On her experiences while on sabbatical in California
11:00 to 11:10 Break
11:10-11:45 Current Viticulture research topics in Virginia. Tony K. Wolf, Ph.D. An update f what's going on in VA with a broad perspective on a number of topics
11:45-12:15 Wine tasting of commercial and experimental wines from Mica Ridge Vineyard.
12:15-1:00 Cold Buffet Luncheon.
1:00-1:30 Travel to Mica Ridge Vineyard.
Mica Ridge Vineyard
1:30-3:30 Vineyard walk-around. Ike Kerschner- Vineyard Manager. Discussion of training systems, latest modifications to Scott Henry, cropping histories, equipment for narrow rows, cropping in the second year, management tips for vertically divided canopies, and questions about the vineyard.
3:30-4:00 Assessment of the Mica Ridge Vineyard- Quality and Potential. Andrew Reynolds, Ph.D.
