Summer Vintage Update

Hard to believe that we are but a few weeks away from the start of grape harvest. If you live in Southern Ontario you know of what I speak when I say the defining word for this growing season so far is WET. It’s been humid and when it has rained it has poured. We awake in the County to heavy, heavy dew almost every morning, and many days through June and July were just dripping wet with humidity and heat. August has improved somewhat but the rains have not stopped so far.

On the positive side we are many as 2 weeks ahead in grape progression in the vineyards (depending on vineyard location in the County) because of the warm nights this summer. Veraison (when red grapes change colour from green to red) started in the first week of August, and has completed. But those darkening grapes are a homing beacon for the birds so the netting is up (see below) and the bird noise guns are activated. So if you are visiting the County between now and harvest, don’t be surprised to be hearing some loud gunshot sounds while you’re sipping and enjoying your wines at the wineries. The wineries would rather be producing wines for you than feeding the birds.

The negative impact of all of the dampness is the prevalence of mildew in the vineyards. Spraying can help, but rain can also just wash it away. Even vineyards close to the lake (where the winds will typically dry out the vines) are seeing mildew this year. In the picture above you can see the impact of mildew on leaf canopy where the leaves turn brown and die off. Mildew can also get into the grape clusters and cause rot.

September’s weather will finalize what the 2024 vintage looks like. Everyone is hoping for some dryer sunny weather going into harvest.