2011 Wine Test Results      (Culver, OR) Maragas Winery and Vineyard located 1 mile north of the Terrebonne Crooked River High Bridge has successfully grown several varieties of traditional wine grape vines (vitis vinifera) at their vineyard in Central Oregon. The experiment began in 2006. Over the last four years, Doug Maragas, founder of the Winery and Vineyard, experimented with 40 traditional European wine grape varieties. All vines have been own-rooted vitis vinifera and have been grown in a sectioned off 2.5 acre vineyard on their farm. It was believed by the majority of the farming and viticulture community that traditional European wine grapes would not grow in this area. Unquestionably, however, the results prove otherwise and bode well for the Central Oregon farming community. In particular, this past winter, with the extreme cold in December, warm-up in January and February, followed by the cold March, was challenging for plant survival and a particularly good litmus test for the wine grape varieties. Additionally, up to this point, none of the vines were protected from the weather in any way. They survived without being pampered. Of the 40 varietals, here are the survival result percentages of the most successfully grown vitis vinifera grape vines: Gewurztraminer #1 – 100% Muscat Ottonel Belgrade – 99% Muscat Ottonel #1 – 99% Orange Muscat #5 – 98% Riesling #9 – 97% Pinot Meunier #1 – 96% Pinot Gris #1 – 94% Early Muscat #2 - 92% Zinfandel #6 – 88% Pinot Noir #13 – 81% Chardonnay #15 – 74% Now that the Maragas Vineyard experimental portion is complete, Maragas is now employing methods such as agri-fabric mulching to enhance the growth of the vines. Maragas will also be converting 15 additional acres of their farm that is currently in alfalfa into vineyard over the next two years. Throughout this area Maragas will be planting varietals of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay for sparkling wine. These are the traditional varietals of Champagne in France. Additionally, Maragas will be planting three varieties of Muscat, the traditional varietal of Italian sparkling wine. Since grapes for sparkling wine are picked approximately one month early so the sugar content is not too high for the secondary fermentation, they are a great match for the relatively shorter growing season at Maragas Vineyard. For still wine, Maragas will be cultivating pinot Gris, Riesling, gewürztraminer, Muscat and zinfandel. Of all the vinifera chosen for the extended vineyard, the grape that will require the most attention to achieve ripeness will be zinfandel. With the other varieties, we expect ripeness to come naturally to the level desired for harvest. For example, Maragas has already harvested Muscat; the longest tested and most planted variety in the vineyard.

This Test began in the summer of 2010 on Muscat Vines in approximately ½ of an acre. Bend Oregon is Known for its cold climates which is very challenging For plant survival and good litmus test for the wine Grape varieties. As you known this year of 2011 was off to a very slow summer start. Never the less we had applied EXCELERITE® to the north half of the vineyard and the South half as the untreated side. Since this was a field study, there was no way to control the bird or deer damage. Additionally there were parts of the vineyard that had more rock (heat sinks) between the vines, but there was no noticeable favoring of EXCELERITE® treated rows over the untreated rows. Below is a chart from Maragas Winery showing the test results, as you can see the rows with EXCELERITE® totaled 122lbs. and a brix of 18.5 were as the untreated side only weighed in at 68.5 lbs. and a brix of 18.4 Doug Maragas stated, “that the weight was very remarkable which the attached chart speaks for itself”. Further more he said I thought you would be very happy to see the results of a test we did with EXCELERITE®.

We planted three rows of kale approximately 75 feet long each. While all the kale fared well in the growing season last year, it was this year where there was a remarkable result. In general Kale will die over the winter and you need to replant. Here, however, take a look at the attached picture. The kale row on the left, we added EXCELERITE®. The other two rows we did not. There was significant survival through the winter and growth in the EXCELERITE®  row over the other two rows. How he is interested in covering is whole 35 acres with EXCELERITE®                                                                                                            Significant survival through the winter and growth in the EXCELERITE®  row over the other two rows.     Picking the two year old EXCELERITE® TEST MUSCATS at the Maragas Winery.

EXCELERITE® vine at Maragas Winery. Doug Maragas weighing grapes. EXCELERITE® 14 lbs. weigh in note: size of grapes Typical EXCELERITE® Grape Clusters on two year old vines in Oct.