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I visited one of the two properties this past weekend. Thankfully, I started with the smaller of the two, because I ended up spending the day there and didn't get to do any work on the other property yet. The single biggest challenge at this little vineyard was finding the trunks of the vines...

Thank you all for weighing in so quickly. I know that I may have bit off more than I can chew here, but as I don't have much room in my yard to plant vines (though I do plan to do so with what room I have) the opportunity to work these vines is one I couldn't pass up. I think the experience will...

So I have been given an opportunity to tend mature vines on 2 of my in-law's properties, and make wine from the fruit. These are small, backyard vineyards with probably about 20-30 vines in each. The problem (aside from the fact that both properties are about an hour and a half from home) is...

I just recently obtained a floor corker. The first time I used it I was positively giddy with excitement about how easy it was! (Yes, I know I need to get out more, lol). Regarding sanitizing methods for corks, I had been soaking mine in a K-meta solution before corking. Based on the comments...

Greg, I wanted to try some wines made with the grapes I am considering, but have been unable to locate anything made with Crimson Pearl. Can you point me in the direction of a Winery that makes this wine?

After much deliberation (and quite a fair bit of distraction) I think I've settled on Crimson Pearl. I would like, however, to try a wine made from this grape before investing the time, money and energy into planting a dozen vines. Does anyone happen to know where I can find wine made from...

Covering the vines might be a viable option since I'm talking about such a small plot. As for mildew, it will definitely be something to take into consideration with as much rain as we get here.

Oh, and as for experienced growers in my area, I do not know of any. I am relatively new to this town, and the Lehigh Valley (where I spent most of my life) has a significantly different climate. There is only one professional vineyard I have found that grows nearby in similar conditions, and...

Hi Steve. Thanks for your thoughts on this - and SOMEONE has to play devil's advocate. Your remarks about late frost and bud-break give me pause. The last frost for my area seems to typically be late April or early May. With an estimated May 14 bud break, that didn't seem too risky, but if what...

Thanks for that clarification. I am currently leaning toward Crimson Pearl for my planting and knowing the benefits of the smaller berries is quite helpful. :)

Thanks for the warning about early budding, Steve. That is one aspect I hadn't thought to consider, but an important one!

I agree that getting the fruit ripened will definitely be a bigger concern than hardiness (which is not to say that is NOT a concern, lol). I will definitely be considering both Marquette and Crimson Pearl. If I end up deciding on just one grape to plant, I do believe that I would prefer to go...

Thanks for the suggestions! I took a look at Marquette and it seems like a good match. My biggest concern is that (from what I've read) the acidity is rather high. I don't have much experience managing acidity at that level. Do you have any suggestions for addressing that?

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of that particular grape so I will definitely check it out. Have you cultivated and made wine with those?

I was shocked too. On the plus side, your advice gave me the idea of looking at climate data in the area of some of the local vineyards and then see what they are producing. So far one of the two you mentioned (Big Creek) has climate conditions that are pretty similar to my own (they are only...

Regarding average low temps, my area has an average low in January of 18 degrees. What information I am lacking is just how often it gets cold enough to damage the vines I am considering. I am familiar with the Double A website, and have already spent a decent amount of time browsing the many...

Vine club, eh? That sounds worth checking out! I will also check some of the climate data for the locations of those two vineyards to see how much they vary from my location. One factor I've found in my climate research is that in PA there are apparently "micro-climates" that vary quite a bit...

This fall I made wine from fresh grapes for the first time, and I fell in love! I have decided that I want to plant some vines in my yard so I can make wine one day from grapes I raised with my own hands. I don't have room for more than a dozen or so, and I am having some trouble deciding what...

I am in the process of making the same transition. I did my first batch from fresh grapes this fall - small batch from some concord that grew at a friend's house. Not sure yet how the wine will turn out, but I definitely enjoyed the process far more and learned a LOT! Since then, I have made...

As a long time resident of the Lehigh Valley area (where Allentown is located) I can tell you that there are a number of good vineyards and wineries in the area. The Lehigh Valley AVA has grown quite a bit over the past couple of decades and is (in my humble opinion) making some really nice...