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UK Hosts First Viticulture Field Day
By
Aimee Nielson
 LEXINGTON,
Ky., (July 11, 2007) – When former Kentucky Vineyard Society
president Robert Miller began reorganizing the group in the
early 1980s, Kentucky only had two bonded wineries. This was a
stark difference from the state’s heyday before prohibition when
grapes were a more popular crop than tobacco. In the past
20-plus years, growers increasingly have returned to grapes and
the industry has made a comeback.
Now with more than 40 licensed wineries in the state and more
than 700 acres planted in wine grapes, growers look to the
University of Kentucky to provide guidance and expertise in
getting the highest quality crop possible.
Recently UK hosted its first Viticulture Field Day at the
Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington. Kaan Kurtural, UK
viticulturist said the turnout for the event was exceptional.
 “We
only had about 45 people sign up,” he said. “But more than 90
actually showed up, and that speaks well of this growing
industry. People are excited about growing grapes and making
wine in Kentucky and they are looking to us at UK to show them
how to do it right.”
Kurtural is in his third year at UK, along with enologist Tom
Cottrell. Both came to UK’s horticulture department in 2005
thanks to funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development
Board through the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council. UK Department
of Horticulture Chair Dewayne Ingram hopes the positions will
both become permanent.
“We’re just touching the tip of the iceberg in what we can do in
the industry in this state,” he said to the crowd gathered at
the July 7 field day. “We have had cooperation from
horticulture, plant pathology and even landscape architecture
and others. They say 7-7-07 is a lucky day. To me, luck is when
preparedness meets opportunity and we are becoming prepared for
opportunities in this industry.”
 Participants
listened to grape and wine experts from Kentucky and other
states and also got out in the vineyard to learn about canopy
management, crop estimation, vineyard mechanization and spray
machinery. They also learned about managing insects and pests
like the Japanese beetle.
After the Easter freeze, many growers suffered significant
vineyard losses. Plant pathologist John Hartman talked to
growers about the importance of managing diseases in a
year with little or no crop. Kurtural stressed the importance of
French-American hybrid varieties in surviving and thriving
despite Kentucky’s unpredictable weather patterns. In between
sessions and at lunch, growers showed vine samples to experts
and got opinions on problems they may be having in their
vineyards.
Kentucky Vineyard Society President Chuck Smith said there is a
lot of excitement among the state’s grape growers and wine
makers about the future of the industry. He also said there’s a
lot of work to do.
“I used to be a dairy and tobacco farmer. This isn’t as hard as
milking cows, but man, sometimes I wish I had a crop of
tobacco,” he said to a response of laughter. “It’s a challenging
business and you have to make sure you do your research before
you jump in with both feet.”
The day ended with a supervised educational tasting of UK and
other Midwestern wines conducted by Cottrell.
For more information about grapes and wine in Kentucky, contact
Kurtural at 859-257-1332, Tom Cottrell at 859-257-0037 or the
Kentucky Vineyard Society. |
Contact: Kaan Kurtural, 859-257-1332
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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