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Last-Minute Spots Available for High Country Winegrowers Association’s Viticulture Educational Series

Photo by Michael Regnier | Courtesy of High Country Winegrowers Association

Feb. 5, 2013. The High Country Winegrower’s Association is proud to announce the Viticulture Educational Series.

Beginning in February 2013, the series shall consist of 12 class meeting and 2 field days. The classes will cover all aspects of growing wine grapes on a commercial basis.

Topics to be covered are: Cost & returns of vineyard establishment, vineyard site selection, wine grape varieties, pruning & training, canopy management, disease & insect management, wildlife deterrence, time to pick? And grape contracts.

The viticulture series will cost $100 per person; this will include text book (Wine grape production guide for eastern North America) and all handout materials. Participants, who attend 90 percent of the classes and pass an after course quiz, will be awarded a certificate suitable for framing.

Upon completion of this viticulture series an attendee will be able to find a suitable site for a commercial vineyard, pick suitable grape varieties, manage grape vine growth, choose trellis system, pest management, grape sale marketing and know when to pick.

The viticulture class will be held at the Watauga County Cooperative Extension downstairs offices, located at 971 west King St. Boone, NC. Time of class will be 6 to 9pm on Monday nights, twice per month, February thru June (dates to be posted). Gill Giese will be the instructor for these classes.

The Viticulture Educational Series is made possible by Specialty Crop grant from a USDA program funded by the 2008 farm bill, administered by NCDA&CS and the High Country Winegrower’s Association with administration by PHARMN (Preserving Heritage Agriculture, Regional Markets Now) “Goodness Grows in NC.”

Class dates: Feb. 11 and 25; March 11 and 25; April 8 and 22 ; May 13 and 27 ; and June 10 and 24

For further information www.highcountrywines.com or call 828-295-9831.