Grape Team
In the early 1970s, a multi-disciplinary "Grape Team" was established by Dr. John Archibald. Dr. John Wiebe joined the team at this time and made many important contributions, including the development of programs that studied vineyard geometry, light interception, and general grapevine physiology. He was also in charge of a remote sensing survey of the Niagara Peninsula to identify the potential risk of frost damage in different areas. This information was used to make recommendations for vineyard expansion and resulted in the publication of a Grape Climatic Zone Map in 1976.
Development of New Grape Varieties
The grape breeding program produced several new grape varieties better suited to the growing conditions in Niagara. Results from the grape breeding and research programs at Vineland Station included the introduction of VEEPORT in 1961; VINCENT in 1967; VENTURA in 1974; VEEBLANC in 1977; VIVANT in 1983; and VANESSA.
