Success StoryLake Barkley Vineyards



Lake Barkley Vineyards

Author: Daniel Becker

Planning Unit: Horticulture

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Lake Barkley Vineyards located in Eddyvile, Lyon County and owned by Bill Wesselak is a 6 acre vineyard composed of approximately one acre sections of the grape cultivars ‘Noiret’, ‘Chambourcin’, ‘Foch’, ‘Chardonel’, ‘Cabernet franc’, and ‘Riesling’, with a small quarter acre section of ‘Catawba’. Prior to participating in the program Mr. Wesselak was experiencing severe crop losses and reduction in grape quality due to numerous problems including, but not limited to disease, vine debilitation and death, weed competition, canopy shading, poor and excessive vine growth, over-pruning and under-pruning, insect and bird feeding, along with a general lack of management expertise on the part of the vineyard crew. To address these problems, actions were taken to guide Mr. Wesselak and the vineyard crew in the development of an effective disease, insect, and weed control spray program along with appropriate practices in chemical measuring, application, and clean-up. Training was also performed on vine fertility maintenance, pruning, canopy management, crop management, as well as harvest timing. After implementing appropriate vineyard management procedures, annual crop yield has increased and stabilized from the year-to-year variability experienced previously. Pressure from disease, insect, and bird competition has also abated, leading to better vine health along with improved grape and eventual wine quality. Increasing quality due to the measures taken has lead to increased demand for the harvested grapes which are sold to wineries within the state. Purchasers have described the shipments as some of the soundest they have experienced and the wine made from them of exceptional character. Experiences and successes gained through being a cooperator have encouraged Mr. Wesselak in outlook and have encouraged him to continue his project of starting a commercial winery.






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