Richard Smart to Visit Hort Research Center on June 25

Improve Canopy Management and Reduce Disease with Dr. Richard Smart

The University of Minnesota and SMWGA will be hosting world renown viticulturist Dr. Richard Smart for a seminar, "Improved Canopy Management and Trunk Disease Implications for the Midwest" on June 25th, from 3-5pm at the UMN Horticultural Research Center. The seminar will be followed by a meet and greet reception from 5-6pm with Dr. Smart, featuring Minnesota wine and appetizers.

Dr. Richard Smart

To register: The event is $35, or $30 with a SMWGA membership. Please pre-register for this workshop in order to help us account for refreshments and seating. To RSVP, call or email Lisa Smiley at 651-492-5393 or [email protected].

The event will take place at the Horticultural Research Center, 600 Arboretum Blvd, Excelsior, MN.

About Dr. Richard Smart: 

With over 40 years of experience consulting with viticulturists and winemakers around the globe, Dr. Smart is a global leader on vineyard management techniques. He is also the author of the book Sunlight Into Wine, viticulture editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, and co-developer of the Smart-Dyson Trellis system. He has worked extensively to study and communicate how canopy management practices impact wine quality and yield, as well as how changing climates may impact the global wine industry into the future. 

Learn to Plant a Vineyard with First-Hand Experience

Have you been thinking about starting a vineyard or a small grape planting? The best way to learn what it takes to start a vineyard is to help out at another established vineyard. However, these opportunities do not come along every day.

Fortunately, The Winery at Sovereign Estate is planting a new vineyard on June 16 and is offering free lunch and a viticulture class in return for helping to plant grapevines for a couple of hours! It will be a great learning opportunity for the beginner vintner, hobby grower, or someone looking to brush up on their skills before expanding their current vineyard. Details:

Vineyard Planting Outing – You’re Invited!

The Winery at Sovereign Estate and the University of Minnesota Extension viticulture program would like to invite you to a free vineyard planting outing.

Saturday, June 16th from 8:00am-2:00pm

The Winery at Sovereign Estate

9950 North Shore Road, Waconia, MN 55387

Start with a “classroom” lesson from the U of M’s Extension horticulturist, Annie Klodd, who will describe site selection, soil preparation, planting orientation, and planting…of course.

Then, put that new knowledge into action and head to the field where you will get to experience planting a vineyard of Marquette vines

Please RSVP by clicking the link below

R.S.V.P.

Or email [email protected]

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Bring gloves and dress for the outdoors.

Hope to see you there!

7th Annual Savor Minnesota

Savor Minnesota is a rare opportunity to taste everything Minnesota wineries have to offer, as well as samples from dozens of craft breweries and food producers, all in a single afternoon. The sixth-annual Savor Minnesota is Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.  Explore the wines produced in Minnesota in this event sponsored by the Minnesota Farm Winery Association.

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