2018 Meetings

 

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

 

August 15, 2018

Vine MealyBug: Prevention and Control; Beneficials
with Dr. Sheena Sidhu, entomologist; Sam Earnshaw, Hedgerows Unlimited; and David Goldfarb, Clos de la Tech

2:00 – 5:00pm
at Regale Winery & Vineyards
24040 Summit Rd., Los Gatos

Vine Mealybug (and other mealybugs) are making inroads in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They have been found in some of our vineyards and are spreading. VMB effects long-term vine health, yield and wine quality. Even if you haven’t seen signs yet you should know what to look for, how to prevent and what to do to control this pest if and when it arrives in your vineyard. This program will provide valuable information so that you can be proactive in combating this pernicious pest:

Dr. Sheena Sidhu, entomologist: will discuss the life cycle and the most effective control methods (chemical and biological). 
Sam Earnshaw, Hedgerows Unlimited:  how to create successful beneficial insect habitat around the vineyard to enhance natural control of potential pests. 
David Goldfarb, Winegrower, Clos de la Tech:  will share his experience combating vine mealybugs using a variety of practices including insecticides, pheromones, cover crops and releasing predator insects.


May 11:

Bud Fruitfulness
with Larry Bettiga, U.C. Farm Advisor

2:00pm
at  Ascona Vineyard

Larry Bettiga will give us a presentation on bud fruitfulness, discussing bud development, impacts on yield, pruning, and appropriate management.

 

February 9:

Tailgate:  Pruning Workshop
with Ken Swegles, Coastal Range Vineyard Management

2:00pm
at Branciforte Creek Vineyard

Ken Swegles will lead a tailgate on pruning, including cane, cordon, hybrid, pruning for Eutypa (and other trunk diseases).

 

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

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.