Winegrape growers look for sun before budbreak

With "budbreak" of Healdsburg-area vineyards already happening in the warmer regions, area winegrape growers say they are hoping for sun and drier times to launch the spring growing cycle.

"The rains haven't hurt us or caused any economic difficulties -- yet," said Bret Munselle, owner of Munselle Vineyards in the Alexander Valley viticulture region. "It's not particularly late in the season."

Munselle, whose vineyard covers 250 acres in the Alexander Valley region, said he had a few buds break in his Chardonnay grape vines last Wednesday, but not enough to cause any disruption of operations. Chardonnay are typically the first variety to come out of winter dormancy, he said.

"If it were two weeks down the road, we would be much more anxious for sun," Munselle said.

Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, said if the rains continue past this week, some of his growers might be concerned about possible damage from fungus, mold or mildew.

Fungus, also called phomopsis, can develop if growers don't have a chance to apply a sulphur-based preventative spray fungicide on the new green buds after they "break" out of the brown casing they wear during the winter, Frey said.

The spray has to be applied on dry plants, he said.

"This weather could make it difficult," Frey said. "We need some drying weather."

Aside from the warmer regions like Alexander Valley, vineyards on south-facing slopes and the Chardonnay winegrapes that are typically the first ones out, Frey said he doesn't expect too many bud breaks until the end of next week.

Munselle said he had to turn on his frost-protection air-circulation system last week to protect the few Chardonnay buds because temperatures dipped below 32 degrees one night. But he has not had to worry about frost during the rains.

"I know it feels cold when it's 40 degrees," Munselle said. "But as long as it doesn't get below 32 degrees, it's OK as far as frost protection goes."

Frey said even if the vines are damaged by fungus, they usually grow out of it.

Munselle said he is not worried about the fungicide application yet.

"It's too early to be thinking about sulphur spraying or mildew," Munselle said. "There's not enough growth yet."

Frey said his commission represents 1,500 individual members and 13 viticultural regions throughout Sonoma County and the Sonoma Valley.