Cultural Practices

In the world of grapes, the term 'cultural practices' can sometimes be used as a catch-all phrase, but generally it refers to topics that relate to growing the crop itself. This includes issues like choosing varieties and rootstocks, trellis and training systems to support the vines, managing the vines' canopies and cropload to meet production and fruit quality goals, winter pruning and more. You'll probably notice quickly that topics like these are also related to and influenced by information about pest management, vineyard nutrition and business management.
CULTURAL PRACTICES CATEGORIES
Relevant Event
EnoCert 101: Intro to Viticulture & Enology
January 26 - January 27, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Most Recent Cultural Practices Fall Content
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist

One of the components that influences yields in grapevines is the number of berries that set and mature on each cluster, or "fruit set". Each flower cluster contains many individual flowers, each of which has the potential to become a grape. However, not every flower will successfully pollinate or develop a healthy embryo and the surrounding tissue that becomes the fruit that we want.
This article covers some of the factors that influence fruit set in grapes and summarizes practices that growers could use to influence set. It was originally published in the June 2013 issue of the Finger Lakes Vineyard Notes.
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist

Dr. Kees van Leeuwen is a professor of viticulture at the University of Bordeaux. His work focuses on the effects of environment on terroir. He is also the viticulture consultant for Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion, one of the premier producers in Bordeaux, which uses a high percentage of Cabernet Franc in its wines.
Dr. Benjamin Bois, an associate professor in viticulture and climatology from the University of Burgundy, speak to Finger Lakes growers and winemakers about Pinot noir production in Burgundy and how it is influenced by climatic and site conditions.
Factors That Affect Fruit Set
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist
Finger Lakes Grape Program
Last Modified: June 15, 2016

One of the components that influences yields in grapevines is the number of berries that set and mature on each cluster, or "fruit set". Each flower cluster contains many individual flowers, each of which has the potential to become a grape. However, not every flower will successfully pollinate or develop a healthy embryo and the surrounding tissue that becomes the fruit that we want.
This article covers some of the factors that influence fruit set in grapes and summarizes practices that growers could use to influence set. It was originally published in the June 2013 issue of the Finger Lakes Vineyard Notes.
Dr. Kees van Leeuwen, University of Bordeaux
Hans Walter-Peterson, Team Leader, Viticulture Extension Specialist
Finger Lakes Grape Program
Last Modified: December 10, 2014

Dr. Kees van Leeuwen is a professor of viticulture at the University of Bordeaux. His work focuses on the effects of environment on terroir. He is also the viticulture consultant for Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion, one of the premier producers in Bordeaux, which uses a high percentage of Cabernet Franc in its wines.
Dr. van Leeuwen visited the Finger Lakes in late October, 2014 and presented a seminar to the region's industry about the role of Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux production, and some of the results of research that he and others have done on the variety over the past several years. Dr. van Leeuwin was kind enough to give his permission for us to share the slides from his presentation to the industry.
Slides from Presentation by Dr. Benjamin Bois, University of Burgundy
Last Modified: September 17, 2014
Dr. Benjamin Bois, an associate professor in viticulture and climatology from the University of Burgundy, speak to Finger Lakes growers and winemakers about Pinot noir production in Burgundy and how it is influenced by climatic and site conditions.
Upcoming Events
EnoCert 202: Tasting Room Sales Strategies
January 25, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
EnoCert 101: Intro to Viticulture & Enology
January 26 - January 27, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
2021 Pesticide Training and Recertification Series

February 2 - February 23, 2021
7:00pm-9:30pm, Exam 6:00pm-10:00pm
Canandaigua, NY
Announcements
B.E.V. NY 2021 Sponsorships
Because B.E.V. NY will be held as a virtual conference with no trade show in 2021, we are providing a greater number of sponsorship opportunities for those companies and organizations that would like to be a part of this year's event. Please click here for a summary of the different sponsorship and advertising levels we are offering this year.
If you have questions or would like to discuss other options, please contact Hans Walter-Peterson at hcw5@cornell.edu.
Spotted Lanternfly Found in Ithaca, NY
A population of spotted lanternfly (SLF) has been found in Ithaca, New York, just off the Cornell University campus.They were found on their favorite host plant, another invasive species, tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). However, SLF also feeds on many other trees and plants, which, unfortunately, includes grapevines. With New York State's important Finger Lakes grape-growing region and wine industries so close to Ithaca, state agencies and pest-control experts are particularly concerned about this pest's impact in the region.