The Northern Grapes Project was funded in 2011 by the USDA NIFA Specialty Crops Research Initiative. The emergence of cold hardy, Vitis riparia-based wine grape cultivars in the 1990s created a new and rapidly expanding industry of small vineyard and winery enterprises in more than 12 states in New England, northern New York, and the Upper Midwest, boosting rural economies in those regions. Read more.
What’s New:
May 16: National Public Radio features the Northern Grapes Project and cold-climate viticulture on its Morning Edition program. (written transcript and photos here) The story was produced by North Country Public Radio reporter David Sommerstein, who has a food and agriculture blog called The Dirt, which focuses on North Country New York agriculture.
April 9 Webinar:
Toward Startup Winery Profitability: When do I start Making Money?
Gregg McConnell, Farm Credit of the Northeast and Miguel Gomez, Cornell University
PDF versions of presentations given at the Second Annual Northern Grapes Symposium have been added to the website, under the “Resources” tab then “Presentations.”
The February 2013 issue of Northern Grapes News is now available!
Northern Grapes News Vol 2, Issue 1 February 12, 2013-Herbicide Drift — A Strong Defense is Your Best Offense -NGP Team Profile: Patricia McManus -NGP Team Profile: Rebecca Harbut -VitisGen: Mapping the Way to the Next Generation of Grapes -Farming for Flavors: Understanding Genetics Underlying Maturity and Flavor Development -Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events:
University of Minnesota Winemaker Roundtables
(click to open PDF with complete information)
March 18, March 25, April 8, and April 29
The enology lab at the University of Minnesota is partnering with the Minnesota Farm Winery Association in hosting a series of regional winemaker roundtables aimed at wine-makers currently working for bonded wineries in the state of Minnesota. During these roundtables, each participant will bring 2-3 wine samples (tank or barrel sample) that he or she would like to be critiqued by a panel of his or her peers.
Check out the Year 1 Northern Grapes Project Progress Report
We are pleased with our accomplishments in this first year and hope that you are too. Feel free to submit comments, questions, and general feedback via the Contact Us form.
