Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association - 1110 N. Jackson St. Pittsfield, IL 62363 - www.illinoiswine.com
Grape Harvest Workshop to be Held at Blue Sky Vineyard and Winery - 7/13/09
Friday, July 31, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Blue Sky Vineyard and Winery
3150 South Rocky Comfort Rd, Makanda, IL 62958
There are three factors, sugar, acid, and pH, which can be tracked weekly after véraison that will reach optimum levels when the grapes are ready to harvest for winemaking. Accurately and quickly measuring these three factors is a skill needed by both grape growers and winemakers alike, in order to produce top quality wines. This workshop, sponsored by Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance at Rend Lake College, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Department of Agriculture is designed to give participants hands on experience working with special equipment used in measuring and determining grape ripeness. In addition to vineyard sampling of differing grape varieties and other fruits, winemakers are also invited to bring wine samples for analysis as well.
Workshop participants will meet at Blue Sky Vineyard and Winery, which is located in northeast Union County on CR-15/Rocky Comfort Road. Registration fees will be taken at the door starting at 5:30pm and will be $25.00 per person. The program is scheduled to run from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and will include refreshments.
From Carbondale, go east on old US-13 HWY/ E Walnut Street. Turn right onto CR-12/ S Giant City Road and travel just over 6 miles. Turn left onto CR-24/ Grassy Road and travel another 3 miles. Turn right onto Rocky Comfort Road and travel just over 4.5 miles. The winery entrance will be on the left.
Don't forget to dress for the weather, since some of the workshop time will be spent in the vineyard. This is a hands on workshop, and participants are encouraged to bring their personal gear, including pruners, gloves and work boots. All testing equipment will be supplied, but participants are encouraged to bring their personal refractometer and or portable pH meter.
For more details or if disability accommodations are required, please contact Elizabeth Wahle at (618) 692-9434 or by email at wahle@uiuc.edu, or Matt Stark at (618) 201-4536 or by email at mattsstark@gmail.com.