Events

2008 Meetings, Events, and Seminars

January | February | March | April

January 2008

2008 Virginia Grown Conference: Planting the Seeds of Change
January 22-24, 2008
Hotel Roanoke - Roanoke, VA

With a host of excellent speakers helping you with the latest production and marketing techniques, you can begin planing the seeds of change to grow your farming operation. http://www.vfdma.org/vagrown.html

Indiana Horticultural Congress
January 28-30, 2008
Adam's Mark Hotel & Conference Center - Indianapolis, IN

Includes Indiana Wine Grape Symposium. http://inhortcongress.org

Unified Wine and Grape Symposium
January 29-31, 2008
Sacramento Convention Center - Sacramento, CA

Probably now the biggest wine and grape trade show and meeting in the country. Lots of research and practical viticulture and enology presentations including sessions in Spanish. This year includes a program on Tempranillo. Program, information and registration at http://www.unifiedsymposium.org/

Grape Section to the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention
January 29, 2008
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center - Hershey, PA

Topics include winter injury, weed and disease control, sprayer technology, grape root borer, Pierce’s disease, grape berry moth and a large trade show. This meeting is sponsored by the State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania and Penn State Cooperative Extension. PA and NJ pesticide credits are available. For information and registration please contact Maureen Irvin at 717-677-4184.   9am to 4pm.

Lancaster Crop Day
January 29, 2008
Farm and Home Center - Lancaster, PA

Opportunity for core and category pesticide credits. $5 includes lunch. Contact Jeff Graybill for information 717-394-6851. https://www.paplants.state.pa.us/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx

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February 2008

Getting a Vineyard Started
February 2, 2008
Linden Vineyards - Linden, VA

A series of professional seminars geared towards commercial winegrowers is taught by Jim Law. These are practical courses focused on small scale high quality vineyard and wine production in the mid-Atlantic region. They are a reflection of Jim Law’s own experiences, approaches and philosophies after 25 years of pursuing an understanding of the thousands of pieces of the puzzle that need to be joined together to make great wine. Fee is $150. Pre-registration required. Limited space. 10:30am to 4:00pm. Seminar outline available on line at http://www.lindenvineyards.com/linden/.

North Carolina Winegrowers Association Annual Meeting
February 2-3, 2008
Airport Marriott Hotel - Greensboro, NC

Topics include irrigation, disease control, selling wine, hybrid grapes, tasting rooms, vine nutrition and much more. Information and registration at http://www.ncwinegrowers.com/.

22nd Annual Midwest Grape & Wine Conference
February 2-4, 2008
Tan-Tar-A Resort - Osage, MO

This is a major vit/enol program for the Midwest with a large trade show and grand banquet. For information and registration contact Rozanna at 573-486-5596. For more information visit http://www.missouriwine.org/MidwestGrapeWineConference.htm

Winemaking Basics
February 3, 2008
Linden Vineyards - Linden, VA

The nuts and bolts of both red and white commercial winemaking, this seminar is geared towards the novice, but moves quickly with classroom, cellar and tasting sessions. High end artisan winemaking is the focus. Seminar outline, info and registration at http://www.lindenvineyards.com/linden/

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) Annual Conference
February 7-9, 2008
Penn State Hotel - State College, PA

Farming for the Future”. This amazing event is PASA's signature and our main vehicle for community building. Widely regarded as the best of its kind in the East, this diverse 3-day spectacular brings together an audience of over 1,500 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists, and business and community leaders annually. For complete information and registration, go to the PASA web site at http://www.pasafarming.org/conference2008/

Iowa Wine Growers Association Annual Meeting
February 7-8, 2008
Des Moines Area Community College - Ankeny, IA

Pre-conference symposium will focus on sparkling wine production. For information go to http://www.iowawinegrowers.com.

Pruning Clinic
February 9, 2008
Western Maryland Research & Extension Center - Keedysville, MD

Instruction on mature vineyards and new plantings. More details forthcoming. Visit http://www.marylandgrapes.org/

Ohio Grape and Wine Conference
February 12-13, 2008
Shisler Conference Center at OARDC - Wooster, OH

Viticulture and enology education sessions. For information contact Dr. Imed Dami at 330-263-3882.

Maryland New Grower Workshop
February 13, 2008
Hughesville, MD

The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension is offering one-day regional workshops for beginner and prospective grape growers in Maryland.   This workshop offers a broad overview of commercial vineyard development from pre-plant planning into the third year including economics and marketing information, variety, clone, and rootstock choices, site selection and preparation, pre-plant decisions, equipment and supply requirements. We will also cover the basics of ordering, planting, and tending the vines through the third year of growth, as well as best practices for training, canopy management, and pest management.  This seminar is a good overview of what is involved with getting a commercial vineyard started in Maryland. Registration fee is $20. Pre-registration is required. Contact Ben Beale at 301-475-4481 for registration and information.

Minnesota Grape Grower's Association Cold Climate Grape & Wine Conference
February 14-16, 2008
Holiday Inn Select - Bloomingale, MN

This meeting would be interesting to growers in cold regions of Pennsylvania. Great lineup of speakers covering all topics of cold climate viticulture and enology including sustainable viticulture, disease control, multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle, vine nutrition, irrigation, yeast selection, wine marketing and business and much more. For more information go to http://mngrapes.org/

Tennessee Viticulture and Oenological Society Meeting
February 15-16, 2008
Marriott Nashville Hotel - Nashville, TN

Program in development. Check the TVOS website for more details at www.tvos.org/.

Pruning Clinic
February 16, 2008
Central Maryland REC - Upper Marlboro, MD

Additional details may be found online at http://www.marylandgrapes/org

Maryland New Growers Workshop
February 20, 2008
Queen Anne County , MD

See February 13 listing.  Contact Shannon Potter Dill at 410-822-1244 for info/registration.

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention
February 20-21, 2008
Brock University - Ste. Catherines, Ontario

Viticulture and enology sessions with outstanding speakers. A great excuse to go to Ontario and taste wines. A large trade show and Ontario wine tasting. For more information, please go to http://www.ofvc.ca or contact Tony Sgambulleri 905-945-1713 or Ken Slingerland 905-562-1639, ken.slingerland@ontario.ca .

Grape Expectations: A Viticultural and Enological Symposium
February 23, 2008
Forsgate Country Club - Monroe Township, NJ

Always an outstanding wine and grape program that includes a mystery wine and awards for NJ wines are presented. For information and registration, please contact Dr. Gary Pavlis at 609-758-7311 x10.

Pruning Clinic
February 23, 2008
Golden Run Vineyard - Sudlersville, MD

Additional details may be found online at http://www.marylandgrapes/org

11th Annual Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Forum and Trade Show
February 28- March 1, 2008
Kearney Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center - Kearney, NB

Featured speakers include Dr. Todd Steiner, focusing on wine making and winery issues, and Dr. Mike Ellis on challenges in grape disease management.  A tasting of Nebraska wines will precede the Annual Banquet and over 50 Trade Show vendors will participate.   For further information visit http://agronomy.unl.edu/viticulture or communicate with Paul Read pread@unl.edu; 402-472-5136

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March 2008

Maryland Grape Growers Association Annual Meeting
March 1, 2008
Turf Valley Resort - Ellicot City, MD

Combined meeting of Maryland wine and grower associations. Speakers include Lucie Morton, Turner Sutton, Stephen Menke, Gavin Sacks and Justine van de Heuvel. Additional details online at:
http://marylandwine.com/mgga/index.html or contact Dick Penna at 310-432-2338.  Accomodations/Resort link: www.turfvalley.com

Wineries Unlimited
March 4-7, 2008
Valley Forge Convention Center - King of Prussia, PA

Wineries Unlimited is the largest wine industry trade show and seminar program east of the Rockies, will celebrate its 33rd year, the second in a row at the new venue of the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA, with a larger trade show than was possible at the Lancaster Host in the past. Four days of seminars supplement the trade show (on 3/5-6), with wine tastings and social events, including the second annual ASEV/ES scholarship auction fundraiser. Keynote speaker at the Wine Theme Lunch will be Steve Burns, president of consulting firm O'Donnell-Lane, LLC.
For program details, exhibitor list and online registration, visit www.wineriesunlimited.com.

Issues in Winery Design and Layout Workshop at Wineries Unlimited
March 7, 2008
Valley Forge Convention Center - King of Prussia, PA

The program will cover practical topics of interest to those establishing a new winery or expanding an existing facility. Some of the most renowned winery architects and planners in the country will be on hand to present information and answer questions. If you are considering building or expanding a winery, this program is a must. Register for this workshop at the Wineries Unlimited web site.

Maryland New Grower Workshop
March 13, 2008
Friendly Farm Restaurant - Baltimore, MD

See February 13 listing for details.  Contact David Martin at 410-666-1022 for information and registration.

Finger Lakes Grape Growers Conference and Trade Show
March 14-15, 2008
Holiday Inn - Waterloo, NY

A grower oriented conference with practical sessions. A large trades how. Visit www.flg.cce.cornell.edu for more information.

Viticulture Workshop
March 15, 2008
South Dakota State University - Brooking, SD

The morning session will be focused on new or prospective growers, with the afternoon covering more advanced topics. Dr. Paul Domoto from Iowa State University will be a featured speaker. 9:30 am to  4:30 pm. For more information, contact Dr. Rhoda Burrows, rhoda.burrows@sdstate.edu, 605-688-4731.

Grape Disease Management Workshop
March 20, 2008
LIHREC in Riverhead - Long Island, NY

Drs. Wayne Wilcox and Marc Fuchs will talk about diseases and viruses of grapes. Contact Alice Wise for information.

Lake Erie Grape Growers Convention
March 26-27, 2008
SUNY - Fredonia, NY

A grower oriented meeting that covers juice and wine grapes. A transition from juice to wine grapes workshop is planned. Contact Linda Aures for information and registration at laures@netsync.net.

Lake Erie Grape Growers Convention
March 26-28, 2008
Ramada Inn Lakefront - Lake Geneva, NY

This is the biggest enology conference in the region with lots of practical sessions and research reports from Cornell Food Sci and Technology. Please check out the program at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/fst/vb/ or contact Nancy Long at NPL1@cornell.edu.

Lake Erie Grape Growers Convention
March 26-27, 2008
SUNY - Fredonia, NY

A grower oriented meeting that covers juice and wine grapes. A transition from juice to wine grapes workshop is planned. Contact Linda Aures for information and registration at laures@netsync.net.

Lancaster Extension Pesticide Points Meeting
March 27, 2008
Farm & Home Center - Lancaster, PA

2 Core and 2 Category I points. Cost $3.00. Call Jeff Graybill for information. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 717.394.6851. https://www.paplants.state.pa.us/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx

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April 2008

Pennsylvania Wine Association Annual Meeting
April 15-16, 2008
Harrisburg/Hershey Sheraton - Harrisburg, PA

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with awards banquet. Invited speakers focus on current topics important to the PA wine industry. Enology topics include new varieties like Albarino, Petit Manseng , Gruner Veltliner, Barbera and Carmenere. Viticulture will include research funded by PA Wine Marketing and Research Program on late season rots and vine decline. Marketing topics include green wineries, fermentation protocol and yeasts and much more. Awards banquet and annual PWA business meeting. For information, please call Jennifer at 717-234-1844.

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