Although the western New York grape industry is dominated by Concord juice processing, the number of wineries in the region and the demand for bulk wine grapes in the eastern United States is increasing and offers potential for economic growth. Viticulture research at the Cornell Vineyard Laboratory in Fredonia, New York investigates the effect of local climate, soils, and rootstocks on several potential wine grape varieties for the region.

Nearly 70 percent of the grape production in New York state is along the southeast shores of Lake Erie. The environmental conditions in many Lake Erie vineyard sites are as good as or better than the conditions in the Finger Lakes vineyard sites. Although the western New York grape industry is predominantly focused on the processing juice grape industry, there is great potential for wine grape production on select vineyard sites. Viticulture research is needed to address the possibility of increased wine grape production in the Lake Erie Grape Belt.

Viticulture research at the Cornell Vineyard Laboratory in Fredonia, New York centers on the effects of vineyard nutrient availability and rootstock selection on four potential wine grape varieties. Issues in best-management practices for tender grape varieties, such as irrigation, burying canes in winter, crop control, deer fencing, pruning, and training, are also being addressed to show interested producers the difference between Concord and tender wine grape production management.

There is a large potential for economic growth in western New york wine grape production. There are currently 12 wineries in the Chautauqua-Erie grape region, with three more wineries scheduled to open up in 2006. Similarly, there are eight wineries in Niagara County, with two more slated to open in 2006. In addition, the demand for bulk juice produced in New York is increasing at eastern U.S. wineries.

• Hans Walter-Peterson (Lake Erie Grape Program - extension)
• Rick Dunst (Fredonia Vineyard Lab)