The Grape Tailgate Tour promises a full day of learning and the latest viticultural research in Niagara says Wendy McFadden-Smith, Ontario, tender fruit and grape IPM specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). 

Here is the agenda. 

9:00

Grapevine Trunk Disease & Metos weather station and iScout

Wendy McFadden-Smith, OMAFA & Dave Simard, Metos Canada

Stratus Winery 2059 Niagara Stone Rd, NOTL

9:45

Grape harvester vs bunch rots

Wendy McFadden-Smith, OMAFA & Aaron Oppenlaender Huebel Grapes Estates

Huebel Grapes Estates 473 Line 3 Rd, NOTL

10:15

Travel to Jordan Rd – exit 55 on QEW

11:00

Grape mealybug trial

Rose Buitenhuis & Taro Saito, VRIC

Driveway just north of 4362 Jordan road.

11:30

CleanWorks for disease management

Wendy McFadden-Smith, OMAFA & Brian Schmidt, Vineland Estates

Vineland Estates Winery 3620 Moyer Rd, Vineland

12:00

Native plant species as cover crops

Augusta Van Muyen, Redstone Winery

Redstone Winery 4245 King St, Beamsville

12:30

Sponsored Lunch

Rosewood Winery 4352 Mountainview Rd, Lincoln

1:30

Undervine cover crops

Kathryn Carter & Stephanie Vickers OMAFA

Rosewood Winery 4352 Mountainview Rd, Lincoln

2:00

Under vine mower demonstrations

Mike Josiak, VRIC & various equipment dealers

30 Bench Winery 4281 Mountainview Rd, Beamsville

2:45

Naio Ted Vineyard Management Robot

Haggerty Team

Cave Spring Vineyard 3949 Quarry Rd, Beamsville

Please register here or call 1-877-424-1300 no later than August 22.

Water and lunch are provided by sponsors. Bring an umbrella for shade!

Source: ON Fruit News August 13, 2025 news posting