Workshop to address challenges in the grape-growing industry

Thursday, September 28, 2017

While Oklahoma’s agricultural roots may be steeped in cattle and wheat production, grape production continues to gain ground.

In an effort to provide Oklahoma grape growers with information geared toward successful grape production, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension is offering the Viticulture and Enology Workshop. Slated Oct. 24 at Waddell’s Vineyard and Winery near Ada, Oklahoma, this free, one-day workshop will address challenges vineyards are encountering. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and presentations will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Featured viticulture speakers will be Justin Scheiner and Michael Cook, both from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Cook visited many of the state’s vineyards earlier this summer with the Oklahoma Grape Industries Council and chose management topics that need more attention to present at this workshop.

The afternoon session will be focused on enology or winemaking. Renee Threlfall, University of Arkansas; and Luke Holcombe, Scott Labs, will be presenting this valuable information to assist winemakers with tips on making quality wines.

Becky Carroll, OSU Cooperative Extension assistant specialist, fruit crops and pecans, said this is a great opportunity for current grape growers, as well as those interested in this agricultural venture.

“This is a great learning opportunity and will be of benefit to all grape growers. Most of the previous workshops have concentrated on grape management, but the afternoon focus will be on improving wine-making skills and learning tips for using hybrid grapes in winemaking,” Carroll said. “We planned the event for a Tuesday since many of the wineries are closed on that day of the week.”

Topics being presented include grape cultivars for Oklahoma, grape fruit and foliar diseases, developing a spray program, grapevine nutrition, keys to quality wine making, identifying wine sensory attributes, understanding vineyard fungicides, as well as an Oklahoma wine tasting and forum.

Wine makers are invited to bring wines on which they would like to receive feedback or help in determining faults.

To register for the free workshop, please contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404, or via email at stephanie.larimer@okstate.edu. Registration deadline is Oct. 17. For more information about the workshop, contact Carroll at becky.carroll@okstate.edu. An Oklahoma Viticulture and enology grant from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is making this workshop possible.