Comment 5: Blackburn, Alex C.

Comments on the Middleburg AVA From: Alex. C. Blackburn, C. P. S. S. Under the heading of Topography, I have the following concerns/comments: Paragraph 3- Undulating landforms, whether that is more or less undulating, can be either a positive or a negative attribute and must be evaluated on a site-specific basis. Paragraph 4- “The Little Cobbler, Red Oak, and Hard Scrapple Mountains, which are heavily wooded with steep slopes ranging in elevation from 800 to 1,300 feet, are located to the southwest of the proposed viticultural area. This area is not recommended for grape growing because of erosion hazards and the difficulty of cultivation along the sleep slopes of the region, according to Mr. Blackburn.” This statement was attributed to me in error as many of the sites I recommend for quality grape production are on steep, wooded parcels. Although these steep wooded parcels may be more difficult to prepare for planting and manage after planting, they can have significant advantages concerning the production of quality wine grapes. Under the heading of Soils, I have the following concerns/comments: Paragraph 2 identifies four soils in this proposed AVA including Purcellville, Tankerville, Philomont and Middleburg. In Paragraph 3 the following statement is attributed to me incorrectly; “According to Mr. Blackburn, these four soils are among the best in the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province for fruit production, and grapevines grown in these soils have better quality fruit with few vigor problems.” For clarification, although this statement may be true for the Tankerville and Philomont soils, the Purcellville soils (landscape dependant) are often vigorous due to higher natural fertility and plant available water. The Middleburg soils are very deep, fertile and located in drainage swales that are not generally recommended for the production of quality wine grapes.