- Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
- Contact: Fran Pontasch, 979-458-0131, fmpontasch@tamu.edu
BRYAN – A two-day Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service advanced viticulture short course is scheduled June 4-5 in Bryan.
The viticulture short course June 4-5 will cover a variety of topics for established and aspiring wine grape growers and winemakers. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Adam Russell)
The course is $150 per person, which includes catered lunches, beverages and a dinner. It will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3081 E. University Drive.
Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist, Denton, said established and prospective wine grape growers and winemakers will engage experts on several topics during the two-day course.
“Are you confused about irrigating your vineyard? Not sure when to turn the water on? Are you under or over watering your vines? Wondering if it is time to fertilize?” Cook asked.
“Come spend two days with us in College Station as we walk you through the ins and outs of vineyard irrigation and Texas soils. Each topic we cover will be discussed in-depth and will pertain directly to viticulture in the state. The course is designed for established growers, but new and prospective growers will benefit.”
June 4 topics will include water relations in viticulture, water quality, irrigation budgeting, monitoring soil moisture and measuring vine water status.
On June 5, attendees will tour the Texas A&M University Research Vineyard. Topics will include vineyard soils and terroir, soil fertility, understanding soil and tissue testing, fertilizers, and grapevine rootstocks and emerging varieties.
All speakers are AgriLife Extension specialists, and will include Dr. Larry Stein, horticulture, Uvalde; Dr. Jake Mowrer, water resource management, College Station; Charles Swanson, engineering, College Station; and viticulture specialists Jim Kamas and Bri Hoge, Fredericksburg; Dr. Pierre Helwi, Lubbock; and Fran Pontasch, and Dr. Justin Scheiner, College Station.
The course will be capped at 75 participants, so register at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ as soon as possible, Cook said.
Contact Pontasch with questions at 979-458-0131 or fmpontasch@tamu.edu.
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