Anne and Randall are back! In this episode, we dive into our current projects, share our experiences from recent conferences, and discuss the issue of declining vine vigor in our region. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll chat with Russ Funk of Carlos Creek Winery about Frontenac.

Episode Overview

Conference Experiences (0:14)

Recap of various conferences attended.
Insights on generational wine purchasing habits and marketing strategies from the DTC symposium.
Networking opportunities and the impact of weather on conference attendance.

Vineyard Vigor (9:14)

Discussion on declining vine vigor in regional vineyards and potential causes.
Importance of nitrogen levels (YAN) in grape and wine production, and the need for regular testing.
Effectiveness of foliar versus ground-applied nitrogen for maintaining vine health.

Wine Projects (17:22)

Discussion on bourbon barrel-aged wines and their fit in wine competitions.
Anne's collaboration in hard cider production.

Grafted Marquette and Petite Pearl Project (27:06)

Reasons for considering grafting grapevines.
Challenges in sourcing cold-hardy cultivars that are grafted.
Pros and cons of grafting grapevines.

Other Upcoming Projects and Competitions (38:44)

Plans for tissue sampling in vineyards to evaluate nutrient levels and vine performance.
Encouragement for wineries to participate in regional and national competitions for feedback and marketing