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Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard to Hold a Series of Grape-Growing Classes, Starting Feb. 25

 Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard (JBRV) is a teaching vineyard with one acre under vines of the native cold-hardy Katuah Muscadines found growing in the mountains of Madison County NC. It has a self-contained classroom where classes are held across the road from their vineyard where hands on workshops are held. Along with this, it has a  greenhouse where the cold-hardy Katuah Muscadines are propagated for sale to other vineyards.

 

JBRV specializes in muscadine grapes. The muscadine grape has 9 times as much antioxidant power than other grapes. Based on the ORAC standard measurement, muscadine grapes have been measured as high as 6,800 per 100 grams, compared to 739 for red grapes. The muscadine grape skins alone have about 6-8 times as much antioxidant capacity as whole blueberries.

 

The class series they will be offering will place emphasis on how to grow cold-hardy grapes in the mountains. The classes will discuss propagation, planting, training, trellising, pruning, and harvesting cold-hardy grapes.

Classes and workshops will be held at the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard in Marshall NC.

 

February 25, 2017 – Vineyard location/design (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

March 25, 2017 – Pruning (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

April 6, 2017 – Pruning (Thursday 10AM to 2 PM)

May 13, 2017 – Planting, Propagation tips, and trellis design/installation (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

June 10, 2017 – Training and mid-season canopy management (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

June 22, 2017 – Disease recognition and treatment (Thursday 10AM to 2 PM)

July 8, 2017 – Sales and Marketing, Grape Sale Contracts (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

August 24, 2017 – Harvesting workshop (Thursday 10AM to 2 PM)

August 26, 2017 – Harvesting workshop (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

September 28, 2017 – Grape-based products & Processing (Thursday 10AM to 2 PM)

October 5 , 2017 – Winemaking (Thursday 10AM to 2 PM)

October 7, 2017 – Winemaking (Saturday 10AM to 2 PM)

 

Each 4-hour class/workshop costs $35 and includes a catered lunch.

 

Call Chuck Blethen at 828-606-3130 for more information or e-mail Chuck@JeweloftheBlueRidge.com for directions. Or go to website www.JeweloftheBlueRidge.com to register and pay in advance. You will receive directions after you register for the class/workshop.

JBRV reserves the right to change schedule dates/places depending upon the weather.