School for winegrape production in Midwest Jan. 14-15
The Great Lakes Fruit Growers News
October, 1996
A school for beginning and novice wine grape growers will be held January
14-15 at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton
Harbor.
The two-day school entitled "Winegrape Production in the Midwest"
is
sponsored The Heartland Grape and Wine Coalition, made up of Ohio State,
Michigan State, and Purdue universities. It is being organized by Bruce
Bordelon of Purdue and Tom Zabadal of MSU.
Throughout the United States consumption of premium wines is increasing,
Bordelon said. The numerous wine producing regions in the Midwest, which
are
typically located in areas of major tourism and/or in proximity to large
metropolitan areas, are experiencing strong demand for their regional wines.
This strong demand is expected to continue.
The Midwest has several areas where the soils and climate provide suitable
sites for winegrape production and there is considerable technological
support from several land grant universities for winegrape production,
Bordelon said.
Despite these resources the demand for premium winegrapes in the Midwest
often exceeds supply. The conference brings together a wealth of
technological expertise for those who are considering, or just beginning
a
viticultural enterprise in the Midwest, Bordelon said. It will not only
expose participants to a series of presentations covering the important
topics in viticulture, but also provide an opportunity for informal
discussion and exchange of ideas with others considering or already engaging
in premium winegrape production in the Midwest. Participants will also have
an opportunity to sample Midwest commercial and experimental wines.
The education program includes:
Tuesday, January 14
* 1:00 p.m. - Registration.
* 1:30 p.m. - The economics of Midwestern grape production, Bordelon.
* 2:10 p.m. - Site selection: Weather, soils, slope, elevation, exposure,
etc. Bordelon.
* 2:50 p.m. - Wine grape varieties for Midwestern vineyards: Cultivar
descriptions and potential (cold hardiness, disease resistance, fruit
quality); matching cultivars to sites, David Miller (MSU)
* 3:30 p.m. - Site preparation , soil modification, soil nutrient management,
Bordelon.
* 3:50 p.m. - Steps in the establishment of a vineyard: Planting methods,
training and pruning in years one and two, weed control, fertility,
irrigation, Zabadal and Bordelon (Purdue).
* 4:50 p.m. - Building a modern vineyard trellis, Zabadal.
* 6:00 p.m. - Midwest wine tasting reception.
* 7:00 p.m. - Dinner.
Wednesday, January 15
* 7:15 a.m. - Continental breakfast, questions and discussion
* 8:00 a.m. - Principles of vine function - vine leaf area, crop load and
their interaction, Miller.
* 8:40 a.m. - Training systems for improved yield and quality - Mature Vines,
Zabadal,
* 9:20 a.m. - Vineyard floor management in established vineyards: Herbicide
control of weeds in the row, Bordelon; row middle management, Zabadal;
managing grafted vines, Zabadal.
Break
* 10:15 a.m. - Nutrient management in established vineyards - soil nutrient
status, foliar sampling, Eric Hanson (MSU)
* 10:35 a.m. - Fruit quality for optimum wine production, Chas Catherman
(St.
Julian Wine Co.)
* 10:55 a.m. - Identification of grape diseases, Don Ramsdell (MSU)
* 11:15 a.m. - Cultural practices to control grape diseases, Charles Edson
(MSU)
* 11:35 a.m. - Chemical Control of Grape Diseases, Mike Ellis (OSU)
* 12:00 p.m. Lunch
* 1:30 p.m. - Identification of grape insect pests, Duke Elsner (MSU)
* 1:50 p.m. - Control of vertebrate predators. Panel of growers, Zabadal,
Bordelon
* 2:40 p.m. Break
Current wine industry trends
* 3:00 p.m. - Ohio - Donniella Winchell, executive director, Ohio Wine
Producers Association
* 3:15 p.m. - Indiana - Bill Oliver, president, Oliver Wine Company
* 3:30 p.m. - Michigan - David Braganini, president, St. Julian Wine Company
* 3:45 p.m. - Summary and feedback
* 6:00 p.m. Reception at the Ramada Inn Atrium
* 7:15 p.m. - Dinner
Lodging
A block of rooms is reserved for the nights of Jan. 14 and 15 at the Ramada
Inn, 798 Ferguson Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Phone, 616-927-1172 (at Exit
28 of Interstate 94). The conference rate is $45 per night single or double
occupancy. Make reservations directly with the hotel and mention you are
with the "Heartland Coalition." There are a limited number of
pool side rooms
with a king size bed. The group will have use of the pool-atrium area for
informal discussions and socializing.
Registration
Space is limited to 100 on a first-come basis. The early registration fee
is
$150 and includes a handbook, four meals and the reception. The fee without
the handbook is $110. Add $25 if registration is after December 1. Make
checks payable to Michigan State University and send to Southwest Michigan
Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor, MI
49022.
Make lodging reservations directly with the Ramada Inn at 616-927-1172.
The Great Lakes Fruit Growers News