The Start of a New Vintage: 2023
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Upcoming Meetings
Fritz Westover is Viticulturist and owner of Westover Vineyard Advising, based in Houston, Texas. Fritz obtained his BS in horticulture and MS in Plant Pathology from Penn State University. He specializes in vineyard consulting for over 1,500 acres of vineyard and is active in research and education in the south and southeastern US, drawing from more than 20 years of experience in the vineyard industry including extension and outreach positions in Virginia, Texas, and California, including the Vineyard Team on the Central Coast. Fritz contributes to wine industry educational programs in several states and is founder of Virtual Viticulture Academy, a leading resource for practical grape growing information for all levels of winegrape production. He can be reached by email at Fritz@VirtualViticultureAcademy.com, at his website www.VirtualViticultureAcademy.com
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For more information on meetings, contact info@vascm.org
See recent meetings on the Meetings page here
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See the Buy/Sell Exchange here for Santa Cruz Mountains winegrapes available for the 2023 harvest, equipment for sale/wanted, and more, as posted. Watch the Exchange page as more classifieds are posted.
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VASCM 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, Rhizos Viticulture
Secretary: June Salsbury, Spring Hollow Vineyard
Treasurer: Rick Clarke, Empty Nest Vineyard
Contact Information
- Postal address
- P.O. Box 933, Soquel, CA 95073-0933
- Electronic mail
- General Information: info@vascm.org
Webmaster: webmaster@vascm.org - –
Harvest, 2019
Spring was long and cold and brought a lot of rain throughout the region and with it pressure from mildew and other fungal diseases in many vineyards. Rain during bloom in some vineyards will affect croploads. For those vineyards that started bloom after the rains the crop is looking very strong. In many vineyards bloom was late, and then budbreak, and then veraison. Veraison started in many vineyards in August, and harvest is later than usual. Although an unusual growing season for many it has resulted in plentiful croploads with excellent fruit. Many growers are enthusiastic about the 2019 vintage.
Harvest 2018
The 2018 vintage by and large is seeing excellent crop loads and stellar quality. Cool temps from early Sept. on allowed for long hang time and for many a delayed harvest that developed fruit flavors. However, the myriad microclimates of the mountains makes it difficult to generalize, and a warm August precipitated ripening and harvest for some. Growers and winemakers are excited by the 2018 vintage and what it promises in the bottle!