UK Summer Viticulture Field Day set for June 28 in Winchester

LEXINGTON, Ky., (Jun 13, 2008) With approximately 800 vineyard acres, the Kentucky grape and wine industry is growing, and with so many new producers, education is vital to success. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture and the Kentucky Vineyard Society will host the second annual Summer Viticulture Field Day at Harkness Edwards Vineyards in Winchester June 28.

In response to a survey at the conclusion of last year’s inaugural event, UK Viticulturist Kaan Kurtural said they moved the field day up a week to allow for more industry involvement.
“This year we’re having the field day at one of Kentucky’s newer vineyards,” he said. “We have a full day packed with information from local and out-of-state speakers, vendors and great local food.”

The day begins with registration and a short meeting of the KVS at 9 a.m. Topics for the rest of the day include principles of grapevine training for hybrids, managing summer diseases in Kentucky vineyards, tools of the trade for Midwest vineyards, chemical weed control, air-blast sprayers for East Coast vineyards, calibrating air-blast sprayers, steps in canopy management, vineyard tractors and equipment, steel vineyard trellis posts and a presentation of 200 years of grape breeding from Lucian Dressel of Davis Viticultural Research. The event adjourns at 5 p.m.

Early-bird registration is due by June 25 and is $34.50 for KVS members and $44.50 for nonmembers; registration at the door is $42.50 for KVS members and $54.50 for nonmembers. The registration price includes a barbecue lunch with drink and dessert. Please make checks payable to Kentucky Vineyard Society and mail to Harkness Edwards, Treasurer, 1500 Jones Nursery Rd., Lexington, KY 40509.

Directions to the vineyard from I-75: take exit 104; go east on Rt. 418 for 6.8 miles; turn left onto Combs Ferry Rd., turn north and travel 1 mile. You will see a yellow barn; turn left into the vineyard entrance. For more information please call 859-527-6635.

Contact: Kaan Kurtural, 859-257-1332

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