High tunnels have proven to be a suitable alternative for a number of small fruits and vegetables, but potential applications for grapes need to be further explored. We have conducted seven years of research with table grapes in high tunnels and demonstrated that profitable production can be achieved with the concomitant reduction of environmental challenges, including vertebrate pests, hail and extremes of weather. This approach has also resulted in less pesticides required to maintain a quality robust canopy. Furthermore, our research has shown that cold storage retains marketable quality, thus enabling extending the marketing season for the cultivars tested (Thomcord, Everest, Marquis, Mars, Canadice and Somerset). In addition, we have explored the potential of growing Vitis vinifera grapes in a high tunnel in the Midwest with the goals of enabling our commercial wineries to have a local source of grapes that are not adapted to field production in Nebraska but are desired by consumers. Vinifera grapes can thus be produced as a local wine varietal or can be employed to enrich wines made from locally adapted cultivars. Data on survival and productivity of specific cultivars such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Riesling and other vinifera cultivars will be presented while discussing the productivity of closely related new cultivars.
