Advancing the science of horticulture using both traditional and novel approaches to optimize crop performance is the long-term goal of my research. It is my hope that this research will provide a meaningful contribution to the broader agricultural sciences through potential application to other cropping systems, and to viticulture through improved cultural practices and wine quality. As a function of this, my program is designed to sustain and invigorate the rapidly expanding Northeastern grape and wine industry by producing top-quality research with worldwide relevance. In response to the broad needs of the grape and wine industry, my program has established a strong focus on multi-disciplinary and collaborative approaches. The following long-term objectives of my research program have been shaped by the principles discussed above.
Goal 1: Optimizing winegrape production using computational tools
Vineyard managers and wine makers employ a variety of operational field targets to guide cultural practices, particularly with respect to canopy architecture and canopy management. However, these targets lack precision in that they are often broad (e.g., a general effort to keep clusters exposed) or exceedingly difficult for growers to quantify and implement based on their specific production environment (e.g., maintaining a leaf area to fruit ratio of 7 to 14 cm2 per gram of fruit). My lab has developed quantitative methods for precisely characterizing and sampling grapevine canopies. These highly quantitative, multi-disciplinary response models are the foundation for the applied production models we are also developing. The applied production models implement precise quantitative targets for optimizing winegrape production.
Goal 2: Determining how ecophysiological factors affect grape flavors and aromas
It is difficult to predict the impact of viticultural practices on flavors and aromas without understanding how a broad range of ecophysiological factors influence vine performance and fruit composition, as any change in viticultural practices generally impacts vine microclimate. There are a wide range of compounds that contribute to wine varietal character and sensory characteristics through specific flavor and aroma profiles, but the impact of physiological and environmental conditions on these compounds during fruit growth is largely unknown. Thus far in the program, our focus has been on how changes to the canopy structure affect cluster light interception and cluster temperature. We're conducting and/or collaborating on several studies to determine the impact of light, temperature, and canopy architecture on specific flavor and aroma compounds in V. vinifera and hybrid cultivars so that viticultural practices can be better targeted towards optimizing fruit composition.
Goal 3: Enhancing economic sustainability of winegrape production
Recommending vineyard practices based solely on their impact on fruit and/or wine composition ignores a fundamental goal of most grape and wine producers: profitability. However many growers, particularly in the Northeast, lack a straightforward reference for maximizing returns and setting minimum farm-level prices in light of existing market conditions. My program has worked collaboratively towards establishing a model to enhance the decision-making acuity of growers with respect to grapevine crop load management. Building on this framework we have developed and completed multi-disciplinary projects on the impact of vineyard management practices on the costs of production and consumers' willingness-to-pay for the resulting wines.
Goal 4: Improving environmental sustainability of winegrape production
Winegrape production, particularly of V. vinifera, is challenging in Northeastern vineyards where fertile soils can produce vigorous vines and a humid climate can result in high disease pressure. As a result, fungicide usage is high. Our objective is to determine the impact of vineyard management on canopy spray penetration, disease incidence, and leaching of nutrients and agrochemicals in vineyard soils to identify best practices that can reduce the environmental impact of growing V. vinifera in the Northeast. To achieve this objective we have undertaken a series of studies on both canopy/crop load management and vineyard floor management to identify viticultural practices to enhance the environmental sustainability of production operations.
Selected Journal Publications
- Karl, A. D., Merwin, I. M., Brown, M. G., Hervieux, R., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2016). Under-vine management impacts soil properties and leachate composition in a New York State Vineyard. HortScience. 51:941-949 .
- Karl, A. D., Merwin, I. M., Brown, M. G., Hervieux, R., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2016). Impact of Under-Vine Management on Vine Growth, Yield, Fruit Composition, and Wine Sensory Analyses of Cabernet franc. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 67:269-280.
- Jordan, L. M., Bjorkman, T. J., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2016). Using under-vine cover crops did not impact vine growth or fruit composition of mature cool climate ‘Riesling’ grapevines. HortTechnology. 26:36-45.
- Centinari, M., Vanden Heuvel, J. E., Goebel, M., & Bauerle, T. L. (2016). Root-zone management practices impact above and below-ground growth in Cabernet Franc grapevines. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research. 22:137-148.
- Preszler, T., Schmit, T. M., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2013). Cluster Thinning Reduces the Economic Sustainability of Riesling Production. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 64:333-341.
- Meyers, J. M., Sacks, G. L., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2012). A Computational Approach for Balancing Competing Objectives in Winegrape Production. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 63:296-300.
- Scheiner, J. J., Pan, B., Vanden Heuvel, J. E., & Sacks, G. L. (2012). Modeling Impacts of Viticultural and Environmental Factors on 3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine in Cabernet Franc Grapes. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 63:94-105.
- Sun, Q., Sacks, G. L., Lerch, S., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2012). Shoot thinning and cluster thinning impact yield, fruit composition, and wine quality of Corot noir. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 63:49-56.
- Berkey, T. G., Mansfield, A. K., Lerch, S. D., Meyers, J. M., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2011). Crop Load Adjustment in 'Seyval Blanc' Winegrape: Impacts on Yield Components, Fruit Composition, Consumer Wine Preferences, and Economics of Production. HortTechnology. 21:593-598.
- Sun, Q., Sacks, G. L., Lerch, S., & Vanden Heuvel, J. E. (2011). Impact of Shoot Thinning and Harvest Date on Yield Components, Fruit Composition, and Wine Quality of Marechal Foch. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. 62:32-41.
