As the final grapes from the 2024 harvest season make their way into the fermentation tanks, there’s a mix of relief and introspection throughout Excelsior Wine Country. Harvest time always brings long days and uncertain conditions, but this year the vineyards and wineries faced exceptional challenges. While the sense of accomplishment remains strong, the season also carried its share of frustrations, with unpredictable weather leading to lower yields for many.
“I’m proud of the fruit quality this year, which was consistent with previous seasons.” – Jim Bowman
2024 Harvest Season setbacks
Mike Riley of Shamrock Hills Vineyard and Winery describes the tough conditions their vines endured:
“This year at Shamrock Hills, our very young vines experienced some trying weather conditions but for the most part pushed through the challenges and sunk their roots deeper into the soil. The cold snap in January was especially rough, with temperatures dropping to -15°F for several days. We lost all of our 2023 trunk growth, forcing us to cut back the vines and re-protect them for the next season.”
For more established vines, the challenges didn’t stop with winter.
At Fence Stile Vineyards, Winery & Distillery, Shriti Plimpton experienced her own share of difficulties:
“This growing season had a number of challenges including a late frost, wind, and weather that interfered with our spray schedule. Japanese beetles and raccoons had a presence and impact again.”
Van Till Family Farm Winery faced similar difficulties, where Debbie Van Till remains committed to exploring natural methods for protecting the vineyard:
“We faced persistent pest issues this year, especially Japanese beetles, but we took a natural approach by spraying kaolin clay on the vines. Unfortunately, due to the frequent rain, we had to reapply multiple times. We’re planning to try Neem Oil next year based on recommendations from other wineries. Increasing nutrients through compost extracts and soil applications is our long-term strategy to create healthier, pest-resistant plants.”
On the positive side, we harvested our first crop since our vineyard was certified Regenified, marking a significant step in improving the soil and plants for better quality.” -Debbie Van Till
Despite the setbacks, there were some bright spots in the vineyards. Shriti observed positive results with specific grape varieties:
“Vignoles produced well this year, and while the Seyval didn’t produce during the normal expected harvest, we did get a small amount of fruit from the secondaries that benefitted from the warm October.”
Mike also noted that certain grape varietals, like the Missouri grape Norton, fared well even in challenging conditions:
“The Missouri Grape Norton performed the best this year, which stands to reason. Norton has had many seasons to adapt to Missouri’s unpredictable weather. It’s a hardy varietal that can handle the fluctuations we saw this year.”
Local farmer Jim Bowman echoes that sentiment about Norton grapes:
“Our Norton crop had the perfect balance of acids and sugar and is shaping up to be an amazing wine. However, we had challenges with wildlife and lower yields from other varietals due to frost and drought.”
Deciding when to pick is a science as much as it is an art, Shriti shared how she determines the ideal time to pick grapes:
“We pick based on taste and chemistry and try and target a harvest date as close to that as possible based on the ability to recruit volunteers.” – Shriti Plimpton
Jim Bowman similarly keeps a close eye on chemistry when planning the harvest:
“We monitor pH (acid), sugar levels, and weather conditions closely. This year, we picked earlier than usual just to salvage what we could.”
In the face of reduced yields, some wineries had to seek grapes from outside sources to meet their production needs. Shamrock Hills turned to local vineyards to make up for their losses.
This year at Shamrock Hills, our very young vines experienced some trying weather conditions… – Mike Riley
“Because of all the weather impacts, we reached out to Les Bourgeois Vineyard, St. James Winery, and Dr. Christ Vineyard to purchase additional grapes for this year’s harvest,” Mike Riley explains. This collaboration allowed Shamrock Hills to maintain their production goals despite the challenges.
Innovation also played a role this season, with Shamrock Hills experimenting with new technology in the vineyard.
“We utilized a drone to apply fungicide this year,” Mike Riley shared. “The drone technology saved us about five hours per application and reduced the amount of chemicals we applied by 75%. What would normally take 350 gallons per application was cut down to just 50 gallons. It’s a huge cost savings, and it’s better for the environment, too.”
Optimism despite challenges:
As the grapes continue their journey in the tanks, there is cautious optimism about the wines that will emerge from this difficult season. While yields were lower, many winemakers, like those at Shamrock Hills, are excited about the potential:
“Our Norton crop is shaping up to be something special this year. The balance of acids and sugars is perfect, and I’m eager to see how it develops in the tanks.”
Debbie Van Till shares that same sense of hope:
“Despite the setbacks, we are excited about the quality of this year’s harvest season, especially since it’s our first crop certified through the Regenified program. Healthier plants will lead to better grapes, and we’re looking forward to seeing how these practices influence the wine.“
Jim Bowman also remains optimistic:
“I’m proud of the fruit quality this year, which was consistent with previous seasons. Thankfully, we didn’t have rain throughout August, so the sugar levels were good.”
If it weren’t for next year, I would have quit farming last year – Cliff Van Till
As we close the chapter on this year’s harvest season, there’s a shared sense of both relief and resilience. Despite all that nature threw their way, the winemakers and vineyard managers of Excelsior Wine Country continue to adapt, innovate, and look forward to what this vintage of grapes will bring. While this season may not have been everything they hoped for, the wine that will emerge from this harvest will tell the story of perseverance, creativity, and passion for the craft.
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