Andrew Bilger, founder of Adega Vinho, reported that straight-line winds, or a tornado which almost touched down, ripped out eight of his 14 acres of grapes about three weeks ago. This was the first time in his six years to have vines fall over.
Agriculture, News
Problems down the vine
Recent strong winds and hailstorms have damaged grape crops, straining already difficult growing conditions.
Andrew Bilger, founder of Adega Vinho, said one can already find everything that wants to kill grapes in the Hill Country: grasshoppers, phylloxera (a kind of aphid), cotton root, copious rain (which allows fungus to grow rapidly) and occasional hard freezes that slow growth.
“Hats off to anyone growing and making wine in the Hill Country,” he said. “It’s definitely a differentiator...
