Happy New Year! In this episode, we welcome Joe Juniper of Vermillion Valley Vineyards, the second-largest vineyard in Ohio. In close proximity to Lake Erie, Joe is with us to discuss what it is like to grow vinifera in an area with very harsh winters. Joe has become an expert in managing extreme temperatures and precipitation variances, including mastering innovative cold pruning practices.

Growers in northern climates typically grow cold-specific, hardy hybrids, but through some unique practices, Joe has mastered growing vinifera in a harsh winter climate. He may have some nice days to ripen vinifera during the season, but you won’t find how to survive the winters in vine training textbooks.

Listen in as Joe shares some of his cold-weather pruning and vine training practices with us.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Joe’s concept for vine pruning and how it differs in his location.

• The “bonus cane pruning system” and “spare parts viticulture.”

• Strategies for vineyard design to prevent disease and promote vine health.

• The importance of bud count and spur positioning for ideal fruit yields.

• The differences between spur pruning and cane pruning.

• Pre-pruning practices to protect vines from winter damage.

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Resources:

Register for Fritz’s free live virtual learning event, Vine Pruning Strategies That Most Growers are Missing, happening on Monday, February 5th at 6 PM CST.

Get Fritz’s Young Vine Training & Vineyard Innovations video course covering bonus canes and spurs and some other unique pruning scenarios. This member-only content is available to podcast listeners through March 31st.

If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

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

Today’s Guest:

Joe Juniper is the co-owner and winemaker at Vermillion Valley Vineyards in Vermillion, Ohio. Connect with Joe - Website | Facebook | Instagram

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.