Growing grapes in a cold climate presents unique challenges that are often more about dealing with winter injury than the growing season itself. According to Dr. Kevin Ker from Brock University’s Cool Climate Enology and Viticulture Institute, the temperatures outside the growing season are what set cold climate viticulture apart. Ensuring vines live for 25 years rather than just five to seven years involves strategies and practices specifically for harsh winter conditions.

This episode is part one of our conversation with Dr. Ker. Listen in to learn about managing cold climate vineyards and cold damaged vines.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to establish a vineyard in cold climates and what the core principles of establishing a vineyard are

• Strategies for managing cold climate vineyards

• Impact of winter temperatures, growing degree days, and frost-free days on grape growing

• How to approach fertilization and nutrient management for cold climate vineyards

• Various pruning techniques and how they differ from warmer weather climates

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Resources:

Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.

If you have questions about today’s episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Kevin Ker currently works as a research associate for Brock University Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.

Connect with Kevin:

• Website: https://brocku.ca/ccovi/

• Email: kker@brocku.ca

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vintner’s Vault for sponsoring today’s episode! Vintner’s Vault was started and is operated by winemakers, so they have the knowledge and experience to help you make an educated decision on the equipment purchases and winery set up and layouts that are best for you. They are the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers, who are also winemakers.

Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.