FRANKFORD, Del.- The weather affects nearly every aspect of our lives, even the taste of your wine. A mild winter this past year, extreme summer heat, and recent heavy rainfall have all changed the notes of your favorite Delaware vino.
Salted Vines Vineyard and Winery is nestled in Frankford, Delaware. Established in 2016, it has experienced a mix of good and great growing seasons. However, this year has presented its own set of challenges.
In early June, the vineyard endured a hailstorm, heavy rain, and below-normal temperatures, all while dealing with wildfire smoke— all within the same week. Adrian Mobilia, the owner of Salted Vines Vineyard and Winery, expressed his concerns, saying, "That was right in our most critical stage of physical growth during our flowering. So we didn't know what was going to happen. We'd never experienced all of those things simultaneously."
Mobilia also noted, "The Malbec over here did take a bit of a beating. During that bloom weather, we had poor fruit set by my standards in the Malbec. The other three vineyards seem to have fared okay."
He points out that the warming climate is affecting the taste of wine worldwide, saying, "We're already seeing that. I mean, there are places that are now too warm to grow certain varieties that were once known for those grapes, and there are places that were too cold that are now warming up enough to grow grapes."
Delaware offers ideal conditions for wine production, with long summer days providing ample sunshine and sandy soils ensuring proper drainage. However, the state faces a unique challenge: high humidity. Fortunately, there is a solution.
Mobilia explains, "What we do is eliminate a significant number of leaves so the wind can blow through the canopy, helping to dry out the morning dew. Indirect sunlight can also penetrate, aiding in drying out dew or rain after a storm."
Mobilia is hopeful that his crops can hold on for about one more week for harvesting.
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