Ripeness Indicators and Pre-Harvest Considerations- Update

 Hello Dear Growers! 

Here are a couple updated results:

Harvest is quickly approaching! In this week’s update, I’ll focus on technological ripeness (Brix and TA), disease management—including sour rot, botrytis, and grape skin integrity during rain events.

Below are the Brix levels from 2 September 2025. I was out sampling again yesterday, and I’ll share those results as soon as they’re available.

Please note: these figures were collected in the Valley (Wolfville/Kentville area) and may vary slightly by location.

  Figure 1.

Table 1.  Precipitation totals for the Kentville Research and Development Centre by month.

Month	25-Year Average (mm)	Current Year (mm)
April	81.9	93.7
May	74.0	88.6
June	98.7	50.5
July	85.9	33.0
August	91.1	13.2
September	98.8	14.9**
October	115.8

**Up to September 10, 2025

Table 2. Growing degree days and Sine degree days up to September 10, 2025. Growing degree days were calculated using the average method and Sine degree days were calculated using the single sine method. All temperature data were recorded at the Kentville Research and Development Centre.

Single sine degree days, base of 0 °C starting on April 1		Growing degree days, base of 10 °C starting on April 1
Current Year	10-Year Average	Current Year	10-Year Average
2505.9	2458.6	1012.7	992.5

Observations
Dry conditions have led to a quality-driven harvest this year.

Veraison 2025 in L’Acadie and other varieties began only 2–3 days later than in 2024, making the timing difference between the two vintages minimal.

The dry season slowed ripening, so harvest dates are expected to be very similar to last year (per Osceola). I’ll provide a more accurate illustration of harvest dates once all data is collected.

---

Rain Events and Disease Pressure
With last night's rain and many areas receiving at least 11 mm of rain within the last 10 days, the risk of downy mildew is increased. Please monitor canopy tops and new growth carefully. Symptoms may not appear on clusters, so check leaves as well.

---

Micro-cracks and Berry Splitting
After a dry season, berry skins are more rigid. Rain can cause micro-cracks, increasing the risk of botrytis and sour rot. With rising sugar levels near harvest, splitting becomes more likely—monitor clusters closely and ensure protection.

SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT.

---

Cluster Thinning
If you have not already removed clusters above the fruiting zone or weak tertiaries, please do so. Unripe clusters divert sugars from ripening fruit and will reduce harvest quality.

News and Upcoming Events

Cool Climate Crush Podcast

The first episode has been recorded and will available by the end of the month. The theme: Crop Insurance with NSCLIC Manager Alicia Parsons Lushington. FAQs are answered and new info available. 

Release details to follow.  

26 November 2025:  Viti Season Wrap Up Event @ The Berwick Lion Club. 

Event is complimentary with lunch provided. Sign up details to follow.

Closing Thoughts

Communicate with your winery. 

Be it harvest dates, predicted yields, quality of yield or pre-harvest intervals, ensure that you and your winery are on the same page. 

Thank you all for your time this week. I wish you a successful and stress free harvest.

Cheers!

Katarina

 Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca

Ripeness Indicators and Pre-Harvest Considerations- Update

Hello Dear Growers!

Harvest is quickly approaching! In this week’s update, I’ll focus on technological ripeness (Brix and TA), disease management—including sour rot, botrytis, and grape skin integrity during rain events.

Below are the Brix levels from 2 September 2025. I was out sampling again yesterday, and I’ll share those results as soon as they’re available.

Please note: these figures were collected in the Valley (Wolfville/Kentville area) and may vary slightly by location.

  Figure 1.

Table 1.  Precipitation totals for the Kentville Research and Development Centre by month.

Month	25-Year Average (mm)	Current Year (mm)
April	81.9	93.7
May	74.0	88.6
June	98.7	50.5
July	85.9	33.0
August	91.1	13.2
September	98.8	14.9**
October	115.8

**Up to September 10, 2025

Table 2. Growing degree days and Sine degree days up to September 10, 2025. Growing degree days were calculated using the average method and Sine degree days were calculated using the single sine method. All temperature data were recorded at the Kentville Research and Development Centre.

Single sine degree days, base of 0 °C starting on April 1		Growing degree days, base of 10 °C starting on April 1
Current Year	10-Year Average	Current Year	10-Year Average
2505.9	2458.6	1012.7	992.5

Observations
Dry conditions have led to a quality-driven harvest this year.

Veraison 2025 in L’Acadie and other varieties began only 2–3 days later than in 2024, making the timing difference between the two vintages minimal.

The dry season slowed ripening, so harvest dates are expected to be very similar to last year (per Osceola). I’ll provide a more accurate illustration of harvest dates once all data is collected.

---

Rain Events and Disease Pressure
With last night's rain and many areas receiving at least 11 mm of rain within the last 10 days, the risk of downy mildew is increased. Please monitor canopy tops and new growth carefully. Symptoms may not appear on clusters, so check leaves as well.

---

Micro-cracks and Berry Splitting
After a dry season, berry skins are more rigid. Rain can cause micro-cracks, increasing the risk of botrytis and sour rot. With rising sugar levels near harvest, splitting becomes more likely—monitor clusters closely and ensure protection.

SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT.

---

Cluster Thinning
If you have not already removed clusters above the fruiting zone or weak tertiaries, please do so. Unripe clusters divert sugars from ripening fruit and will reduce harvest quality.

News and Upcoming Events

Cool Climate Crush Podcast

The first episode has been recorded and will available by the end of the month. The theme: Crop Insurance with NSCLIC Manager Alicia Parsons Lushington. FAQs are answered and new info available. 

Release details to follow.  

26 November 2025:  Viti Season Wrap Up Event @ The Berwick Lion Club. 

Event is complimentary with lunch provided. Sign up details to follow.

Closing Thoughts

Communicate with your winery. 

Be it harvest dates, predicted yields, quality of yield or pre-harvest intervals, ensure that you and your winery are on the same page. 

Thank you all for your time this week. I wish you a successful and stress free harvest.

Cheers!

Katarina

 Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca

 

Grower Update and Upcoming Events

Hello Dear Growers,

I hope your pre-harvest preparations are going smoothly.

Over the past three weeks, I’ve been out in the field collecting samples and assessing vineyard conditions. Overall, the grapes are looking excellent.

Harvest is expected to begin within the next 10 days, depending on variety and wine style. Early-ripening hybrid reds are well into the ripening stage, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are about 50% through veraison, and Cabernet Franc is just beginning veraison.

Dry Conditions
I know the lack of rain is a concern, but remember that grapevines require far less water than many other crops. Some stress may be visible, but it can usually be managed through canopy and under-vine practices. Please avoid evaluating vine stress late in the afternoon, when signs of stress are most pronounced.

Benefits of Dry Weather

• Reduced need for disease management sprays (low disease pressure)

• Less mowing and topping, lowering management costs

• Smaller berries, leading to more concentrated flavours

• Looser clusters, improving spray coverage, drying time, and disease control

We’ve had some rainfall over the past two weeks, including a few millimetres today (Friday), depending on your location. With the current high humidity, disease pressure may re-emerge, so please continue your spray program while respecting pre-harvest intervals.

Lab results with updated Brix levels will be shared soon.

---

Upcoming Events:

Season in Review – Wrap-Up Event

📅 November 26, 2025 | 9 AM – 3 PM
📍 Berwick Lions Club | Lunch provided

We’ll reflect on the season, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities for the future. This year’s program includes a discussion panel on heat stress and grape quality. 

Sign-up details will be shared later this month.

Cool Climate Crush Podcast Launch
Our new viticulture podcast launches at the end of the month! The first episode explores crop insurance, answering common questions from growers. If you’d like to submit additional questions after listening through the interview, please send them in.

Best Practice Session
📅 September 6, 2025 | 9 AM – 11 AM
📍 Ellslea Vineyard, 925 Bains Street

Halifax Wine Festival
📅 September 6, 2025 | 3 PM (time depends on your ticket)
🔗 hfxwinefest.ca

Wine Fair Halifax
📅 October 4, 2025
🔗 Wine Fair Halifax Tickets

Thank you all for your time this week, and I look forward to seeing you in the vines soon.

Cheers! And Happy Growing.

Katarina

Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca

 

Drought Mitigation Meeting Recap and Notes

 Hello Dear Growers,

Thank you for attending the drought discussion yesterday. I very much appreciate you sharing your experience and mitigation strategies. 

Here are the key points that came from the meeting:

1. Some growers have little to no irrigation capacity; only rooftop rainwater tanks available. Wells remain usable for now, but could run dry if used for irrigation. Digging new wells may be a future solution.
2. Spray effectiveness may be reduced due to limited vine functions.
3. Mature vines are holding up with no major colour change in leaves.
4. Vinifera varieties are fairing well in the heat and show little risk for next year.
5. Hybrids, especially NY Muscat and young Marquette, are more drought-sensitive; basal leaves drying out.

Fruit Management

1. Remove all fruit from vines **three years or younger** to preserve plant health.
2. Drop top canopy clusters; keep lower ones which receive better plant support. Remember that 15-18 mature leaves support 1 cluster (site and cultivar dependendant).
3. Looser clusters preferred to reduce botrytis risk if September rains occur.
4. Dropping fruit after veraison offers no plant benefit—Cluster thin now.

 Weather Impact

1. Malagash area: no rain for six weeks; highs in the upper 30s°C for three days—rapid vine drying, worsened by wind.

2.  Heat stress varies by site and variety; monitor drooping for signs of sustained stress. If you see none in the morning and drooping in the afternoon- stress is minimal.

3. Hurricane season poses additional risk (berry burst, botrytis).

Key Observations & Considerations

 

• Vegetative growth slowed across regions.
• Vinifera generally unaffected; hybrids suffering more.
• Smaller harvest possible; outcome depends on weather in coming weeks.
• Powdery mildew appearing.

Questions on bud fertility and hardiness for next year—severe drought and winter would be needed for major productivity drops. Damage seen next year should be minimal. 

It is still early to determine the full extent of this season's drought on this year's harvest. 

Again, thank you for attending the session, if you have any questions or concerns, please do contact me.

I will be out on the road again next week- if you would like a visit- contact me.

Sincerely,

Katarina

Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca

 

 

 

Let's talk About Drought; Is my Vineyard at Risk? Meeting: Thursday, 14 August @6:30pm

 

Hello Everyone,

With drought conditions persisting, we want to take the opportunity to address the situation directly and ease any concerns that may be on growers’ minds. 

Please join us on Thursday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. for an open discussion on the current weather conditions and their potential impact on the upcoming harvest. Bring your questions and insights—we look forward to the conversation.

To access the meeting, click on the link below.  

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDU0YWRmMTUtZTQ0Mi00NTNjLWJlYjQtZGQzY2Y2YWVlZTgz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2290a77746-56f5-4896-9a83-f69d11d4b826%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22d3aa497a-6e05-44ee-89c3-dd966a9956b4%22%7d.

Please share this link with your colleagues, employees, vineyard managers, winemakers, and all members of your team. Whether in the vineyard, the tasting room, or elsewhere, staff at every level may benefit from this information as it relates to the tasks they encounter in their daily work.

Cheers!

Katarina

________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 245 072 858 494 6

Passcode: FE7Am6DH

Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca

 

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Last Call for Event Sign-Up & Hot Off the Press: New Factsheets

 Hello Dear Growers!

Just a few days remain to register for the Canopy Management and Ag Tech events happening this and next week—don’t miss out! 

The registration links are provided below:

Sunlight, Shoots & Sugar: Mastering Canopy Management for Top-Quality Wine Grape Production

Date: July 19, 2025

Time: 12:00PM – 3:00PM

Location: Mercator Vineyards and Winery, 88 Dyke Rd, Wolfville, NS 

https://www.perennia.ca/eventer/sunlight-shoots-sugar-mastering-canopy-management-for-top-quality-wine-grape-production/edate/2025-07-19/

Please note: The Bear River Session has been restructured. I will be visiting individual Bear River growers before the end of the month.

Smart Farming in Action: Using Precision Ag and Drone Technology for Site-Specific Field Management

Date: July 24, 2025

Time: 12:00PM – 3:00PM

Location: Blomidon Estate Winery, 10318 NS-221, Canning, NS 

https://www.perennia.ca/eventer/smart-farming-in-action-using-precision-ag-and-drone-technology-for-site-specific-field-management/edate/2025-07-24/

Factsheet Publication:

To support the upcoming sessions and the harvest season overall, I’ve put together a “Canopy Management” factsheet series. While the in-field sessions will offer hands-on learning, these factsheets provide growers with practical, printable resources to keep on hand.

Grapevine Canopy Management: Shoot Thinning fact sheet can be found here:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Grapevine-Canopy-Management-Shoot-ThinningV4.pdf

The Role of Shoot Positioning in Premium Wine Grape Production fact sheet can be found here:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shoot-PositioningV1.pdf

A crop thinning fact sheet will be coming out shortly.

Thank you all for your time this week. I will be posting this week's phenology and weather data within the next couple of days.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers!

Katarina

Katarina Vucic P.Ag; MSc; DipWSET

Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722

Cell 902-599-1390

 

www.perennia.ca