Vineyard Underground

Nov 12 2024 59 ep. 43 mins 10

Vineyard Underground Podcast artwork

What if you could hang out with experienced grape growers, ask them about the science of grape growing, vineyard operations, and more; then take an insight or two to improve your vineyard and ultimately the quality of the wines you produce? That’s what we do each week on the Vineyard Underground. Hosted by Fritz Westover –– viticulture expert more than 20 years of experience in the vineyard industry –– every episode is an in-depth look at grape growing methods, care, and even complicated matters of fertilization and pest and disease management? The goal is to provide you with an understanding of the complicated aspects of viticulture science so that experienced and even first-time grape growers will be able to understand and implement new practices in their vineyard.

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058: Top 5 Misheard Grape Growing Concepts

Nov 12 2024 25 mins

Ever wonder if removing leaves from young vines speeds up their growth? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. In this episode, we put five grape growing myths to bed and give you the clarity you need to nurture a thriving vineyard. Listen in to learn what the top five misheard grape growing concepts are – and find out if you are guilty of any of them. Whether you're a newbie grower or a

057: Modern Powdery Mildew Management with Dr. Michelle Moyer

Oct 29 2024 64 mins

In this episode, we have a conversation on modern powdery mildew management with an expert on the subject, Dr. Michelle Moyer. A plant pathologist by training, Dr. Moyer is a professor and viticulture extension specialist at Washington State University. She has worked on the East Coast and the West Coast, helping people understand disease and pest pressures in their vineyards. Alth

056: The Emergence & Success of the Virginia Wine Industry with Dr. Tony Wolf

Oct 15 2024 51 mins

The Virginia wine industry has experienced a phenomenal transformation over the past three decades, largely attributed to the efforts of dedicated individuals like Dr. Tony Wolf. From a mere six wineries in 1980, Virginia now boasts a $1.5 billion industry with over 300 wineries. In this episode, Dr. Wolf discusses what it was like when the wine industry began in Virginia in the 19

055: Managing Cold Climate Vineyards & Dealing with Cold Damaged Vines with Kevin Ker – Part 2

Oct 01 2024 34 mins

This episode is part two of our conversation with Kevin Ker of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. We continue discussing cold climate vineyard management and how to help cold damaged vines thrive for years. Dr. Ker shares strategies for site establishment, seasonal management practices, and methods for assessing and renewing grapevines after winte

054: Managing Cold Climate Vineyards & Dealing with Cold Damaged Vines with Kevin Ker – Part 1

Sep 17 2024 55 mins

Growing grapes in a cold climate presents unique challenges that are often more about dealing with winter injury than the growing season itself. According to Dr. Kevin Ker from Brock University’s Cool Climate Enology and Viticulture Institute, the temperatures outside the growing season are what set cold climate viticulture apart. Ensuring vines live for 25 years rather than just

053: A Picture of Vineyard Sustainability with Niner Wine Estates

Sep 03 2024 54 mins

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Niner, President of Niner Wine Estates, and Craig Macmillan, their Critical Resource Manager, to discuss sustainable vineyard management. The episode covers innovative water and soil management techniques, including rainwater capture, advanced monitoring tools, composting, and mechanical weed management. We also go over pest and disease manage

052: Harvest Time Q&A

Aug 20 2024 42 mins

We are back with everyone’s favorite kind of episode – a Q&A! This time, we are answering questions about harvest time. Questions came in from all over, including North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and even Portugal. Listen in to learn about irrigation post-harvest, late-season strategies, issues with high titratable acidity, and more. As harvest season approaches, remember that we

051: Learning from Vineyards and Wineries in the Emerging Arizona Wine Region

Aug 06 2024 61 mins

In this episode, we dive into Arizona's unique wine scene with a panel of guests: Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Kent Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards, and Pavle Milic of Los Milics Vineyards. Arizona's vineyards face a unique set of challenges, including extreme shifts in weather, from scorching heat to freezing temperatures, alongside hail, monsoons, and droughts. Despite

050: The Challenges and Successes of Growing Italian Cultivars Outside of Italy with Luca Paschina

Jul 23 2024 65 mins

In this episode, we have a conversation with Luca Paschina, the estate director and winemaker for Barboursville Vineyards in Virginia. A third-generation winemaker from Alba, Italy, Luca has worked in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Napa, and the Finger Lakes before settling in Virginia, where he expanded Barboursville Vineyards from 38 to 180 acres. Integrating Italian, French, and oth

049: Midsummer Mismanagement in the Vineyard

Jul 09 2024 32 mins

In the cycle of vineyard management, every season brings its unique set of challenges and opportunities. As we navigate past fruit set but not quite at veraison, our focus should pivot to protecting and enhancing the quality of the fruit that is already on the vines. This period demands precise interventions to ensure the health and quality of our crops. In this episode, Fritz shar