US: Pennsylvania Vineyard Terroir Threatened

(Wines&Vines) - If plans proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are implemented, the size of Bergeist Vineyard will be cut by approximately one-third sometime during the next few years. The construction expansion of I-78 west of Allentown, Pa., calls for changes in elevation that will probably affect airflow on owner Dean Scott’s property in such a way that his vines will be exposed to early and late frosts that currently are not a problem. In other words, Scott’s unique terroir will be changed dramatically.

While many vineyards are not located on sites that provide the best environment for producing quality grapes, Scott’s 3-acre vineyard (with another 2 acres available to plant) has several positive attributes. To the west, there are no obstructions or trees for three-fourths of a mile, which exposes the vineyard to a constant westerly wind that helps, keep it dry and free of tree-inhabiting pests.

Interstate 78, which runs east-west between New York City and Harrisburg, Pa., passes through a 60-foot deep ravine just north of the vineyard. On cool spring nights, early morning temperatures can drop into the low 30ºs, creating frost in the area that damages young vines and early buds. The effect of the ravine cut by the highway, with its concrete and east-west flow of traffic, is to push the cool air east and west, down and away from the vineyard, not allowing the cooler air to climb out of the ravine and into the vineyard.