by Sandi Vojta- Winemaker

The Brianna grapes at Lewis and Clark Vineyards are nearing the desirable sugar, acid and taste levels.  The first grape harvest of 2008 is about to begin!

Sandi

by Greg & Muriel Stach, Grapegrowers, Lewis & Clark Vineyards, Yankton

Veraison is well in progress already, much to our surprise. We had thought veraison (when the grapes start changing color, signaling that they are no longer growing, but beginning to ripen) would be 1.5 weeks later since bloom did not occur until mid-June but indeed, it is right on our usual schedule, surprisingly. July 31/Aug 1 timeframe is when veraison generally occurs and that is exactly when veraison occurred this year.

Frontenac is turning the crazy combination pink/blue transitional color with Frontenac Gris turning that pretty violet color, although it is a day or so behind Frontenac. Brianna is already yellow and set with a wonderful, full crop this year. It is hard to tell about St. Pepin and LaCrescent since their color change is more subtle. The St. Croix is its usual tardy self with no color change showing but that will occur this week.