Grapes
Updated: June 23, 2021
By Dr. Joseph Fiola

The New Grape Grower Workshop is held yearly during the month of March or April at the Maryland Wine & Grape Industry Annual Meeting, sponsored by the Maryland Grape Growers Association and Maryland Wineries Association in cooperation with University of Maryland Extension.

This course offers a broad overview of commercial vineyard development from pre-plant planning into the third year including economics and marketing information, variety, clone, and rootstock choices, site selection and preparation, pre-plant decisions, equipment and supply requirements. We will also cover the basics of ordering, planting, and tending the vines through the third year of growth, as well as best practices for training, canopy management, and pest management. 

The workshop is classroom format with a lot of time for Q&A. This seminar is a good overview of what is involved with getting a commercial vineyard started in the Mid-Atlantic.

New Grape Grower Workshop Presentations

Introduction to the New Grape Growers Workshop for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic

Length: 26:57
Presenter: Joseph A. Fiola, Ph.D., Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, University of Maryland Extension (UME), Keedysville, MD

Vineyard Site Selection for Maryland’s Diverse Regions

Length: 54:07
Presenter: Joseph A. Fiola, Ph.D., Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, University of Maryland Extension (UME)

Vineyards Supplies & Equipment

Length: 38:14
Presenter: R. David Myers, Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension-Prince George’s /Anne Arundel Counties

Vineyard Cash Flows

Length: 31:54
Presenter: Tremain Hatch, Viticulture Extension/Research Associate, Virginia Tech, VA

Vineyard Site Preparation in Maryland

Length: 47:38
Presenter: Benjamin Beale, Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension-St. Mary’s County

Recommended Winegrape Cultivars for Diverse Regions of Maryland    

Presenter: Joseph A. Fiola, Ph.D., Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, University of Maryland Extension (UME), Keedysville, MD

A Review of Grape Diseases and Their Management

Length: 32:28
Presenter: Mengjun Hu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Grape and Small Fruit Pathologist, University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture

Opportunities for Large Commercial Vineyards in Maryland

Length: 31:41
Presenter: Joyce Rigby, Rigby Viniculture LLC

Insect, Weed and Vertebrate Pest Management for New Vineyards

Length: 28:15
Presenters: Joseph A. Fiola, Ph.D., Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, University of Maryland Extension (UME), Keedysville, MD and R. David Myers, Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension-Prince George’s /Anne Arundel Counties

Other Important Resources

  • Timely Viticulture

  • Resources

Organizations/University Resources

  • Maryland Wineries Association

  • Maryland Grape Growers Association

  • Penn State Extension Wine & Grapes U.

  • MSU Extension Grapes

  • Virginia Tech Viticulture Extension Resources