Penn State Scientists Unveil ColdSnap Tool to Predict Grapevine Winter Hardiness

A new tool designed to help grape growers manage winter injury risk will be the focus of a webinar on January 27 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The session, led by Penn State Extension scientists Cain Hickey and Michela Centenari, will introduce the ColdSnap project’s cold hardiness prediction tool, which aims to provide practical guidance for vineyard owners, managers, and winemakers east of the Rocky Mountains.

The ColdSnap project was developed in response to the challenges grape growers face from fluctuating winter temperatures and unpredictable cold snaps. Researchers conducted controlled experiments to measure how grapevine buds respond to changing temperatures. Using this data, they created a model that predicts both bud cold hardiness and the timing of budbreak in field conditions. The tool is now available to growers and is intended to support decisions about winter protection and risk management.

During the one-hour webinar, Hickey and Centenari will explain how the model works and demonstrate its use. They will also share findings from several seasons of research in Pennsylvania vineyards, highlighting patterns in cold hardiness and budbreak across different regions and years. The presentation will address how recent weather events have affected vine response and what growers can expect as climate variability continues.

The ColdSnap tool currently focuses on predicting bud cold hardiness but is expected to include budbreak forecasting in future updates. This addition will help growers plan vineyard activities more accurately as spring approaches.

Registration for the webinar is open until the event begins at 1:00 p.m. on January 27. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required to receive access details. Interested participants can sign up at https://extension.psu.edu/predicting-cold-hardiness-and-budbreak-in-grapevines.

The session is aimed at vineyard owners, winery operators, vineyard managers, winemakers, extension educators, and viticulture specialists. Attendees will learn about recent trends in grapevine budbreak and cold hardiness in Pennsylvania, how grapevines acclimate and deacclimate during winter, and how to use the new prediction tool for their own operations.

The ColdSnap project represents a step forward for grape growers dealing with increasingly variable winter conditions. By providing timely information on cold hardiness and budbreak risk, the tool offers a way for growers to make informed decisions that protect their vines and improve crop outcomes.