Viticulture Field Days Scheduled This Month

July 8, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. — A series of viticulture field days in Nebraska this month will provide a variety of information to grape growers and winery operators.

The field days are sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Viticulture Program in cooperation with the Northern Grapes Project and the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association. 

The schedule:

July 10 – Nissen Wines, 88973 Highway 57, Hartington – features will include a grafting discussion by Ed Swanson (Cuthills Vineyards, Nebraska's first winery). The Nissens have added a large number of Marquette grafted onto Brianna vines with Ed's assistance; a close look at the Nissens' mobile bottling line (they custom bottle for a number of wineries); and timely vineyard topics, including canopy management, vine balance and crop estimation.  Registration on-site at 9 a.m. ($10), program will conclude by early afternoon and does not include lunch.

July 17 – Miletta Vista Winery, 1732 Highway 281, St. Paul – A special feature will be the newly renovated winery building. Other topics will include vine nutrition, canopy management, crop estimation and a discussion of challenges caused by this year's environmental conditions and other stresses.  Registration on-site at 9 a.m. ($15, includes lunch).  Please call or email to assist with meal planning (402-472-5136, pread@unl.edu, sgamet@unl.edu, or 308-754-4416, mick@milettavistawinery.com).

July 23 – Mac's Creek Winery and Vineyards, 43315 Road 757, Lexington – Lots to see, including newly planted vines following losses to herbicide drift; discussion of special technologies applied to delay bud break, use of ozone in the vineyard and other pest management strategies; canopy management, weed control; and crop estimation.  Registration on-site at 9 a.m. ($15, includes lunch).  Please call or email to assist with meal planning (402-472-5136, pread@unl.edu, sgamet@unl.edu, or 308-324-0440, seth@macscreekvineyards.com).