Apr 15, 2020

Online webinar for prospective Texas winegrape growers May 1

An online webinar for prospective winegrape growers featuring Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1.

The webinar by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is geared toward people interested in growing grapes commercially, and who are unsure where to begin, said Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist, Denton.

Cost is $150 per device and $100 per additional guest. Deadline to register is 9 a.m. May 1.

AgriLife Extension viticulture specialists will walk participants through challenges and opportunities that exist when starting a vineyard operation in North, East and Gulf Coast regions of Texas. Emphasis will be on newly available technologies to fight Pierce’s Disease.

“This event will be live, so you can participate and ask questions,” Cook said.

Speakers include Cook, Fran Pontasch, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist, Beaumont, and Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist, College Station.

The webinar will begin with a history of Texas wine and current status of the industry. Specialists will cover resources available to growers, proper vineyard site selection, vineyard economics, varieties and rootstock and vineyard establishment. The program will end with a question and answer period.

For more information, contact Cook at [email protected].

Starting a vineyard takes planning and knowledge. A AgriLife Extension viticulture webinar will give prospective winegrape growers a good base regarding the opportunities and challenges to entering the industry. Photo: Adam Russell/Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.