News Release 

Date: April 18, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


Class explores canopy management and wine quality improvement

Does canopy management in hybrid grapes lead to better quality wine? That question is the focus of workshops planned this spring in location around the state.

Cornell University researchers Justine Vanden Heuvel and Tim Martinson will provide informal presentations on how canopy management practices, such as shoot thinning and hedging, can be adapted to the different growth habits of hybrids at a reasonable cost to improve fruit quality.

The presentations are part of a project that received grant funds from the New York Farm Viability Institute, a farmer-led nonprofit organization that promotes efforts to improve profitability on New York farms. The Institute receives support and funding from the New York State legislature and Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Workshop schedule:

- 10 a.m. April 24 at Liberty Vineyards, Fredonia. Register: (716) 672-2191 or jec53@cornell.edu

- 3-5 p.m. May 1 at Modeste Bedient Memorial Library, 3699 Route 54A, Branchport

- 4 p.m. May 8 Hudson Valley Lab, 3357 Route 9W, Highland, or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Duchess County (video cast), 2715 Route 44, Millbrook

Growers of wine grapes often already know that canopy management practices can improve cluster exposure to light, researcher said, but the practices are not yet in extensive use with hybrid grapes.

Completed research includes adapting canopy management practices to new (Noiret and Corot Noir) and 'old' (Marechal Foch) hybrids. The researchers will describe results of 2007 wines made from trail grapes with different canopy management practices.

The programs are free admission. For more information, contact (315) 945-7022 or jev32@cornell.edu.




New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfvi.org.