Amador County - The unusual rash of wet and cold weather this spring is concerning many Amador vintners and grape growers who say frost could damage their young and fragile grape crop. In recent weeks, temperatures have dipped lower than average and snow has reached lower elevations. Across the Shenandoah Valley, buds are blooming on grape vines that will eventually become Merlot, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and any number of other wine varieties. Frost damage at this time of year generally begins to occur at 31 degrees after half an hour. Over the last couple weeks, temperatures have dipped a couple times into the 30s and lower. Scott Oneto, University of California Cooperative Extension Amador Farm Advisor, told the Sacramento bee that frost damage should remain at a minimum in Amador County vineyards. He said the past weeks have been troublesome, but “those growers with wind machines have been well-protected.” A number of growers have said they are putting out giant wind fans to help circulate the air across the plants. Oneto said growers have different ways to help prevent damage, including ground covers, chemicals and keep soil disking to a minimum. Paul Sobon of Sobon winery says this is a fragile time for the plants when buds can turn black from the frost. He said his crop is ranging from 25 to 50 percent of normal. Sobon said the risk of frost damage will continue until about the second week of May for wine fields in the Mother Lode area. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County - The unusual rash of wet and cold weather this spring is concerning many Amador vintners and grape growers who say frost could damage their young and fragile grape crop. In recent weeks, temperatures have dipped lower than average and snow has reached lower elevations. Across the Shenandoah Valley, buds are blooming on grape vines that will eventually become Merlot, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and any number of other wine varieties. Frost damage at this time of year generally begins to occur at 31 degrees after half an hour. Over the last couple weeks, temperatures have dipped a couple times into the 30s and lower. Scott Oneto, University of California Cooperative Extension Amador Farm Advisor, told the Sacramento bee that frost damage should remain at a minimum in Amador County vineyards. He said the past weeks have been troublesome, but “those growers with wind machines have been well-protected.” A number of growers have said they are putting out giant wind fans to help circulate the air across the plants. Oneto said growers have different ways to help prevent damage, including ground covers, chemicals and keep soil disking to a minimum. Paul Sobon of Sobon winery says this is a fragile time for the plants when buds can turn black from the frost. He said his crop is ranging from 25 to 50 percent of normal. Sobon said the risk of frost damage will continue until about the second week of May for wine fields in the Mother Lode area. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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