Upgrading Viticultural Research Capabilities at the MSU Northwest Horticulture Research Center
- Research Date
- 2017
- Authors
- Paolo Sabbatini, Nikki Rothwell, Duke Elsner, Craig Cunningham, Alan Green
- Priorities
- Best Practices, Crop Quality, Product Development
- Crop Categories
- Grapes
- Beverage Categories
- Wine
The NWHRC, contrarily to the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC), lacks the capacity to conduct viticultural and enological research on principal grape varieties that are fundamental to the Michigan wine industry. The removal of 1 acre of existing grapevines (former NE1020 block, grape variety trial planted in 2008) and replant with new vines (V. vinifera) is to (1) facilitate targeted applied research and to (2) investigate and refine cultural practices in support of industry priorities in the near future. The project was developed under the of northwest growers and winemakers and developed in collaboration with Michigan State University, to provide a new research plot with high value cultivars that are the foundation of the industry's brand and central to its economic future.