MSU Extension Grapes

Weather update 

Detailed seven-day forecasts for Michigan grape production regions are available below: 

• Southwest Michigan: Benton Harbor, Fennville, Lawton
• Southeast Michigan: Romeo
• Northwest Michigan: Old Mission, Petoskey, Traverse City

Agricultural Weather Outlook: Weekly in-season weather updates are provided to the Michigan State University Extension fruit team by Jeff Andresen, Michigan State University (MSU) agricultural meteorologist. These reports offer timely insights into weather conditions affecting fruit production across Michigan.  

Growing degree day (GDD) report 

Track vine development using the MSU Enviroweather Growing Degree Day (GDD) map. Visit the site to find your nearest weather station, create a free account, and monitor GDDs daily: MSU Enviroweather GDD Tool 

Weekly GDD summary (Base 50 F) 

The table below summarizes current GDD accumulation, last week's totals, and the weekly increase for each monitored location across Michigan: 

Weather forecast 

Over the last week, much of the grape producing acreage in Michigan saw high temperatures in the mid-70s with lows most mornings in the upper 40s. This is below the long-term average for southern Michigan, and near average for northern locations. The coolest day was Thursday, Aug. 28, when a cold front passed through the region, bringing temperatures down into the mid-60s. Northern and southeast Michigan saw some rain associated with the front, bringing around a quarter to half-inch of rain. Southwest Michigan saw the cooler weather but missed the rain.

Southwest Michigan has still seen very little rain. The last measurable rain came on Aug. 24-25 when up to a third of an inch was scattered around the southwest region. Southwest Michigan is currently 3 inches behind northwest Michigan for rain this season. That is close to an entire month’s worth of rain this time of year. Southwest Michigan has one of the driest soil conditions of recent record according to Drought.gov.

A cold front moving through the state on Wednesday, Sept. 3, will usher in a trough of cold air. It will bring around a half-inch of rain during the day on Wednesday. The temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s in the south and upper 50s in the north for the rest of the week before rebounding about 10 degrees by the start of next week. The overall weekly result is predicted to be below average temperatures and precipitation for the entire state.

Vine growth

In southwest Michigan, we are in the second week of harvest. Early hybrids like Marechal Foch, Itasca and Marquette have already been harvested. Early Pinot Gris is also being harvested for sparkling uses. The cool weather seems to be slowing sugar development. Sour rot is starting to show up as well. Isolated crop loss due to birds is showing up in advanced varieties.

Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center – September 2, 2025:

In northern Michigan, grape clusters are progressing through the modified E–L phenology stages 33 and 34. Development varies by cultivar:

• Early ripening varieties are entering the onset of veraison (Stage 34), where berries begin to soften and sugar accumulation has just started.
• Later-ripening varieties remain at Stage 33, with berries still hard and green and no visible signs of softening.

This variation highlights the natural spread in ripening across cultivars in the region, with early varieties moving into the initial stages of ripening while later varieties are still in the lag phase of berry growth.

For a precise visual reference, consult MSU Extension’s Grape Growth Stages chart.

Northern Michigan, Old Mission Township – September 4, 2025:

In the Tip of the Mitt American Viticulture Area, veraison is underway in hybrid cultivars. Most varieties are 50-75% completed with veraison. Vitis vinifera is beginning veraison.  The risk for black rot is diminishing while the risk for powdery and downy mildew remains low to moderate.

In southeast Michigan, Concord continues to add color while more varieties undergo harvest. The table grape Vanessa was picked in Britton, Michigan, while Prairie Star and Itasca were harvested at Youngblood’s in Ray Township, Michigan. Growers are letting wine grapes hang while weather conditions are good.

Grower-provided grape chemistry data in southeast Michigan:

Horticulture

Cluster thinning

Cluster thinning, typically performed at or just before veraison, involves removing a portion of the crop to balance yield with the vine’s capacity to ripen fruit. By veraison, berry size and cluster weight are more predictable, allowing growers to make precise decisions about how much fruit to remove. Research at MSU has shown that reducing crop load at this stage directs the vine’s carbohydrate and nutrient resources to the remaining clusters, resulting in higher sugar accumulation, better color development in red varieties, and more concentrated flavors.

In cool climates, cluster thinning can also help avoid delayed ripening and improve uniformity within and among clusters, which is particularly important in years with variable flowering and set.

The combined effect

When pre-veraison leaf removal and cluster thinning are used together, they can produce a synergistic effect. In cool-climate studies with Cabernet Franc at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, for example, the combination improved fruit uniformity, boosted anthocyanin accumulation, and advanced ripening more effectively than either practice alone. In warm climates, differences between treatments tend to be smaller by harvest, but early gains in ripening and cluster health are still observed, especially when disease pressure is high. Beyond the vineyard, these practices have been linked to measurable improvements in wine sensory profiles, including more vivid color, greater aromatic intensity, and enhanced structure.

Practical takeaways

The timing and extent of each practice should be adjusted to the specific site, cultivar and seasonal conditions. Pre-veraison leaf removal is best performed pre-bloom or at flowering, before fruit set is complete, to influence berry number and cluster structure or at the beginning of veraison to boost fruit maturation. Cluster thinning is most effective at veraison, when crop load can be evaluated accurately, and the vine’s resources can be redirected to the remaining fruit. Used judiciously and in combination, these tools can help growers consistently produce higher-quality fruit, reduce disease risk and maintain vine health over the long term.

Read more in “Leaf Removal and Cluster Thinning Efficiencies Are Highly Modulated by Environmental Conditions in Cool Climate Viticulture.”

Preparing for harvest in Michigan wine vineyards

The final weeks before harvest are critical for wine grape growers in Michigan. This is when fruit composition changes rapidly, disease pressure often peaks, and coordination with wineries becomes essential. Careful preparation ensures that grapes are harvested at optimum quality and delivered in good condition for winemaking.

Monitoring fruit maturity

Fruit chemistry and sensory development guide harvest decisions. Sugar levels in Michigan wine grapes typically range from 19 to 25 Brix depending on cultivar and wine style, with sparkling bases often harvested earlier at 18-20 Brix. Titratable acidity and pH should be tracked at the same time, as cool nights and variable weather can shift acid balance quickly. Beyond chemistry, sensory assessment is key: seed and skin color and flavor, tannin texture and berry weight provide insight into ripeness and balance.

Berries should be sampled across rows, canopy exposures and cluster zones, with about 100 berries or 20 clusters per block providing a reliable average. Yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) is another important parameter, especially for aromatic whites and higher-sugar reds. Low YAN can contribute to stuck or sluggish fermentations, while balanced levels support healthy yeast activity. Wineries often request YAN data as fruit nears harvest.

Canopy and disease management

As harvest approaches, maintaining an open canopy is critical. Leaf removal in the fruit zone should leave no more than one or two layers of leaves around clusters. This promotes sunlight exposure and airflow, reducing the risk of Botrytis and sour rot while also improving spray coverage.

Harvest sanitation and food safety

Bins, lugs, harvest shears and any food-contact surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before harvest begins. Damaged containers should be replaced. Clear records of cleaning and sanitation help with compliance and traceability. Diseased or insect-damaged clusters should be culled in the vineyard or on sorting tables to preserve quality.

Winery and harvest logistics

Communication with wineries is essential in the final weeks before harvest. Confirm the target maturity for each block, container requirements and delivery schedules. Wineries should ensure that receiving lines, destemmers, presses and tanks are sanitized and ready to process incoming fruit.

Cool, dry harvest conditions are ideal. Picking in the early morning helps limit oxidation and microbial growth, while shaded storage in the field preserves freshness. Efficient transport and clear block identification on delivery streamline winery operations and maintain traceability.

Summary

Harvest success in Michigan wine vineyards depends on decisions made in the final weeks before picking. Monitoring fruit maturity with both chemistry and sensory cues, keeping canopies open and healthy, managing late-season pests, and ensuring vineyards and wineries are fully prepared all contribute to producing high-quality grapes and wines.

Diseases 

In southwest Michigan, disease management of downy mildew, powdery mildew and botrytis fruit rot are the primary focus. The morning dews we will begin to experience are an important reminder to maintain protection against downy mildew. With tight clustered varieties, this is the last chance to get botrytis bunch rot sprays into the tight crevices of the clusters.

In northwest Michigan, disease pressure is still low but continues to increase in specific areas where black rot is becoming more apparent. Black rot symptoms are beginning to show up throughout the state, but it is largely too late to control these infections and fruits will begin to become resistant.

In this growing stage, consider choosing fungicides that control all the foliar and fruit diseases. For example, with downy mildew we are most concerned with foliar infection, and sprays should be timed regularly throughout the season when we experience heavy dews for optimal control. Downy mildew is caused by a fungal-like organism, so many site-specific systemic fungicides that target other spring diseases do not work on downy mildew. Effective fungicides for downy mildew include products in FRAC codes 4, 11, 21, 40 and 45 as well as phosphorus acid salts and some biologically-based products.

If powdery mildew is the only concern, there are a number of effective products (FRAC codes 3, 7, 11, 13, U8, 50, and U13 as well as sulfur). Combining fungicides from different FRAC classes should also be effective while helping with resistance management.

As we approach bunch closure in southwest Michigan, consider botrytis management. Several strategies contribute to good botrytis bunch rot management including opening up the canopy, properly applying fungicides, and using resistant cultivars when possible. Good botrytis control depends on getting good coverage. Just before bunch closure is the last chance to apply a fungicide to the inner part of the developing cluster. Fungicide resistance management is also important. The most effective products for botrytis are site specific and prone to resistance development. A Michigan Grape Fact Sheet is available for managing botrytis bunch rot.

As you choose a fungicide, check the guide for potential phytotoxicity of certain sprays on Concord grapes especially (this has been particularly noted for fungicides like Revus Top). Phytotoxicity risk is higher with high temperatures and quickly growing vines. Also, there is a significant phytotoxicity risk with specific contact products such as copper and sulfur for Labrusca type grapes (Concord and Niagara).

Insects  

Last week, a grower reported spotted lanternfly on their vines in a small vineyard in the Detroit area. This has been confirmed by an MSU Extension staff member visit to the site, where they found a low level of spotted lanternfly adults (fewer than 10 found during a 1-hour visit). These were found on the upper canopy of the grapevines and in the nearby tree of heaven saplings at the site. No egglaying was observed, but that is expected to start in the coming weeks.

This find is not unexpected given that spotted lanternfly has been reported in this region of the state previously, but it is the first confirmed detection on grapevines. We hope all grape growers are being vigilant for this pest. Please report sightings to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Eyes in The Field online reporting system or your local MSU Extension educator if it is detected in your area, on your vines or on nearby trees.

There are multiple effective controls for spotted lanternfly, but since the levels are still very low, MSU Extension encourages following the advice from the state to See it, Squish It, Report It. For more on this pest, visit the MSU Extension Spotted Lanternfly page.

Scouting vineyards at borders with high pressure from grape berry moth indicates a mix of situations. Some sites have very clean clusters with evidence of effective control through the season so far. Others are showing the start of a fourth generation, with evidence of recent moth flight, egglaying and larval activity. Most of the larvae seen on Monday, Aug. 25 were first instars, indicating recent hatch from eggs on the berries. A walk deeper into these vineyards showed that the pressure was mostly on the edge, so border sprays could be considered as a way to maintain control while reducing costs.

With veraison increasing across southwest Michigan, be alert to the risk of sour rot. Check vineyards for the development of rots in high-risk vineyards, sites where berry splitting has been happening from recent rains and berry moth infestation. The cooler night conditions will limit vinegar fly activity, but as it warms up again, we may see more activity of vinegar fly and yellow jackets that can vector sour rot pathogens. Research by MSU over recent seasons shows the benefit of controlling both the pathogens and the insects during the late-season window before harvest of tight clustered cultivars that are susceptible to sour rot.

Capture your 2025 harvest with the SAM Tool

As harvest season gets underway, it’s the perfect time to put the Sustainable Ag Manamgent (SAM) Tool to work. Recording production for each block and variety now creates a valuable baseline for future comparisons and strengthens your ability to track trends year after year.

The SAM Tool helps vineyard managers by allowing you to:

• Schedule pruning, spray, scouting and harvest tasks in one place.
• Simplify recordkeeping and regulatory compliance.
• Share plans and information easily with workers and collaborators.

Getting started doesn’t have to wait until spring. Recording production now lays the foundation for next year’s planning and makes year-to-year comparisons simple. Once you’re familiar with the tool, entering tasks and records during the growing season quickly becomes second nature.

To get started right away, we offer one-on-one onboarding sessions. This is a great way to set up your vineyard blocks and capture harvest data immediately. Please email the SAM Tool team at SustainableAg@msu.edu or contact Karen Chou at chouk@msu.edu to schedule a session.

The SAM Tool is here to support your vineyards year-round. Starting today ensures you get the most from this harvest and beyond.

Upcoming events

2025 Great Lakes EXPO – Grape Session

Join us at the 2025 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO, happening Dec. 9–11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This year’s grape session will bring together growers, researchers and industry experts to explore the latest in vineyard management, disease control, varietal updates and innovative technologies tailored for the Great Lakes region.

Whether you're new to grape growing or a seasoned professional, this session offers practical insights, valuable connections, and tools to help you grow smarter.

Don't miss it—visit the Great Lakes EXPO website to register and join us in December!

Register now

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