In February 2023, Nova Scotia was hit by a severe polar vortex that brought extreme cold to the region, affecting vineyards across the province. The sudden drop in temperature posed significant challenges, particularly for grape varieties that are less adapted to such harsh conditions. For many growers, this event underscored the delicate balance required to cultivate grapes in this climate.

At Mumana Vineyards, then known as Johnston Vineyards, our Chardonnay vines were particularly hard hit. While Chardonnay is cherished for the exceptional wines it produces, it is not among the most cold-hardy varieties. As a result, we lost most of our Chardonnay vines, though a few resilient vines managed to survive the extreme weather.

Considerations for Helping Our Surviving Chardonnay Thrive

As we look to the future, several strategies might help our surviving Chardonnay vines recover and thrive:

1. Enhanced Winter Protection: We might consider implementing more robust winter protection measures, such as hilling up soil around the base of the vines or using insulating materials to shield them from cold snaps. These approaches could help minimize damage from any future extreme weather events.
2. Targeted Pruning: Careful pruning could be essential to removing damaged wood and encouraging new growth. By focusing the vine’s energy on healthy canes and shoots, we might help the vines recover more effectively and promote vigorous growth in the coming seasons.
3. Soil Health Management: Strengthening the overall health of the vineyard soil is another strategy we might explore. Adding organic matter and using cover crops could improve soil structure and nutrient availability, supporting the surviving vines in their recovery.
4. Microclimate Optimization: Given our vineyard’s hot microclimate, we might look into optimizing vine placement and canopy management to ensure that the Chardonnay receives the right balance of sunlight and shade, promoting even ripening and reducing stress on the plants.

Considerations for Replacing the Lost Chardonnay Vines

In deciding how to replace the Chardonnay vines lost to the polar vortex, we must weigh several factors. Here are some options we are considering:

1. Replanting with Cold-Hardy Varieties: We might consider replacing some of the lost Chardonnay with more cold-hardy varieties better suited to withstand extreme winter temperatures. Varieties like Riesling or L’Acadie Blanc are known for their resilience and could be excellent choices.
2. Exploring Hybrid Grapes: Another option is to plant hybrid grape varieties that have been developed specifically for cold climates. Varieties such as Frontenac or Marquette offer good cold hardiness and produce high-quality wines that could diversify our vineyard’s offerings.
3. Trialling a New Chardonnay Clone: If we decide to replant Chardonnay, we could explore using a clone with better cold tolerance. While not immune to extreme cold, some clones may offer a slight advantage in surviving harsh winters.
4. Mixed Planting for Diversification: To mitigate risk, we may also consider a mixed planting strategy, where we replace part of the lost Chardonnay with cold-hardy varieties while replanting a portion with Chardonnay or other vinifera varieties. This approach could provide both resilience and continuity in our vineyard.

Weigh In on Our Future

The polar vortex of February 2023 was a significant challenge for Mumana Vineyards, but it also opened up important discussions about how to best support the resilience of our vines and the future of our vineyard. We’re considering several options to help our surviving Chardonnay vines and to replace the ones we’ve lost—but we’d love to hear from you.

What are your thoughts on the strategies we’re considering? Do you have experience with cold-hardy varieties or ideas for protecting vines in extreme weather? We invite you to share your insights and help us shape the future of Mumana Vineyards. Your input could play a key role in our next steps as we navigate the challenges of grape growing in Nova Scotia.