Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Springtime In Our Vineyards
  • Muns Vineyard

 

–

Next Meetings

 

 

For more information on meetings, contact info@vascm.org

 

February 20, 2018

UC Davis Comes to the Santa Cruz Mountains with a       Program on Vine Health

We have been working with UC Davis on a program of viticulture topics pertinent especially to our region. Speakers from UCD will be coming to the Santa Cruz Mountains. We are fortunate to be able to benefit from their expertise right here at home.

We are also very fortunate to hear from Doug Gubler, who is an expert in vine trunk disease and who recently retired from UCD, but who is coming to talk to us.

This program is for all growers in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and all winemakers to learn more about some of the issues in our vineyards. The topics on diseases will include prevention and mitigation. The effect of disease and viticulture practices on phenolics are included.

The program and speakers include:

  • Doug Gubler, UCCE Extension Plant Pathologist Emeritus, Dept. of Plant Pathology, UC Davis:  Vine Trunk Disease Control: 30+ Years of Research and Experience
  • Dario Cantu, Associate Professor and Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture, Dept. of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis: — Next Generation Research & Diagnostics in Trunk Diseases (Cantu is head of the Cantu Lab at UCD researching powdery mildew, vine trunk diseases, etc.)
  • Larry Bettiga, Viticulture Farm Advisor, UCCE Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties:  Update on Mealy Bug Incidence and Remediation in the Santa Cruz Mountains. VMB is more prevalent in our region than we realize, and extends from Watsonville to Woodside.
  • Anita Oberholster, UCCE Extension Specialist, Enology, Dept. of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis: Effect of Red Blotch Disease on Grape and Wine Composition.  Red Blotch is here, too.
  • David Block, Professor and Department Chair, Dept. of Viticulture and Enology and Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, UC Davis. Optimizing Phenolic Extraction in red wines: from the winery to the lab and back.

Date & Time:  Tuesday, Feb. 20,  9:00am-1:00pm, including lunch.

Location:  UC Santa Cruz, Alumni Room, University Center (parking details will be provided)

Cost & Registration:   $30. Register here.

DPR credits:  2

 

For more information on meetings, contact info@vascm.org

See  recent meetings on the Meetings page here.

–

Harvest 2017 Review

Vineyards started picking the end of August, precipitated by the heat wave that sat on Northern California for several days, bringing temps throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast to over 100 degrees. Crop loads this year are very good, but dehydration in varying degrees from these several days of heat affected some vineyards, especially in the early ripening varieties. Cooler temps and chilly nights following the heat spell prolonged ripening for remaining fruit, although with some acid loss due to the heat spell. Despite the challenging weather, growers and winemakers anticipate excellent results.   

Budbreak started early/mid March (later at higher elevations); bloom late May/early June. The Santa Cruz Mountains experienced a very wet winter with an incredible amount of rainfall – as much as 100″ and more in many locations. This meant attention to floor management and weed control; and canopy management with healthy vine vigor

  • Burrell School Vineyards
–
Membership

Membership dues are only $50 annually and are due at the beginning of the year.  Membership is open to those sharing an interest in viticulture in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Please download the Membership Application from the Membership page here (and please include the form with renewals in order to convey any changes).

 

Mission

To serve the common interests of all Santa Cruz Mountains appellation winegrape producers, and to enhance the quality, profitability and reputation of winegrape production in the appellation through promotion and education.

Association Profile

President:  Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard

Vice President:  Ken Swegles, Coastal Range Vineyards

Secretary: June Salsbury, Spring Hollow Vineyard

Treasurer:  Rick Clarke, Empty Nest Vineyard

 

Contact Information

Postal address
P.O. Box 8092, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-8092
Electronic mail
General Information: info@vascm.org
Webmaster: webmaster@vascm.org

To serve the common interests of all Santa Cruz Mountains appellation winegrape producers, and to enhance the quality, profitability and reputation of winegrape production in the appellation through promotion and education.