By Blake Jackson
New York's wine industry is increasingly exploring disease-resistant grape varieties as growers look for ways to manage vineyard diseases, reduce pesticide applications, and maintain wine quality.
Researchers are examining how hybrid grapes perform under different growing conditions to help producers make informed planting decisions and support the long-term sustainability of the state's wine industry.
Replacing established grapevines with new varieties can be expensive and financially challenging. Growers must also wait several years before newly planted vines produce a commercially suitable harvest. As a result, understanding disease resistance, vineyard performance, and wine quality before making planting decisions is essential.
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) collaborates with Cornell AgriTech in Geneva and the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland on research projects addressing industry needs. Through its Research Committee, the foundation supports promising studies that provide practical information for grape growers and winemakers.
Recent research reports from Hans Walter-Peterson, senior extension associate with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Finger Lakes Grape Program, and Alice Wise, senior issue educator and viticulturist with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County, examined the performance of disease-resistant grape cultivars.
Hybrid Grapes Offer New Opportunities
Researchers expect hybrid grape varieties to become increasingly important as growers respond to changing weather patterns and disease pressures.
“Hybrids will play a larger role in viticulture in the future, particularly since there are so many significant breeding programs around the world as well as here in New York,” Wise said. “This will be particularly true if disease resistance is enhanced in the newer selections.”
Among the varieties attracting interest is Aravelle, a Cornell-developed cross between Cayuga White and Riesling. Walter-Peterson noted that the grape shows promising resistance to bunch rot while maintaining desirable wine characteristics.
During sensory evaluations, Aravelle received ratings comparable to Riesling for fruitiness, aromatic intensity, and perceived sweetness when harvested later with higher sugar levels.
Challenges Remain for Growers
Despite their advantages, hybrid varieties are not resistant to every vineyard disease. Black rot and phomopsis cane and leaf spot remain potential concerns. Researchers also emphasize that performance can vary depending on regional growing conditions.
Wise believes combining hybrid varieties with biological pesticides could improve disease management. However, additional local research is needed to determine the most effective applications.
Wise also highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, drones, and robotics in vineyard management.
Walter-Peterson cautioned that no grape variety completely eliminates pesticide requirements because pathogens can develop ways to overcome genetic resistance. He also noted that varieties such as Marquette and Itasca can experience early bud development, increasing their vulnerability to spring frost damage in New York.
Looking Ahead
Researchers hope winemakers will explore hybrid grapes in higher-quality wine selections and help consumers recognize their environmental benefits.
“Hybrids are all more disease resistant (at least to certain diseases) than vinifera, which means fewer pesticide sprays are needed,” Walter-Peterson said.
Greater adoption of disease-resistant varieties could help reduce vineyard pesticide use while supporting sustainable grape production across New York.
Photo Credit: istock-jimfeng
Categories: New York, General