Start on the Right Foot

Short courses and resources for would-be grapegrowers and winemakers in Midwest and California
 
Midway between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri's Le Bourgeois Winery produces some 47,000 cases per year. It's the site for a "short-course" for beginning grapegrowers that takes students from dormancy beyond harvest.San Rafael, Calif. -- It says something about the grape and wine industry that, even in a tough economy, people are compelled to invest time, money and effort to become a part of it. Most of our readers have seen beyond the "glamour," and are acutely aware of the uncertainties they face with each vintage.

Investing in some basic education before making a commitment is only prudent, whether it's your money, the bank's or most likely, both. Fortunately, as commercial winegrowing has planted its feet across the continent, state organizations and educational facilities are providing the foundations for success. In the next weeks and months, several programs will present expert advice for would-be start-up growers or vintners.

Get growing in Texas

The school year starts this week, when the Texas AgriLife Extension Service for Harris County will present "A Prospective Winegrape Growers Workshop" at its Houston office on Friday, Jan. 23.

As its industry has blossomed, the Lone Star State has been unable to keep up with demand for locally-grown grapes and has encouraged planting by offering grants for new or expanding vineyards (see winesandvines.com).

"In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of small-acreage landowners interested in growing winegrapes," according Fritz Westover, Gulf Coast viticulture associate for AgriLife Extension and an organizer of the program. "The workshop provides an overview of the unique requirements and risks associated with establishment and operation of a commercial vineyard in Texas."

Sessions will include necessary viticulture experience, site selection, risk factors, labor considerations and operational costs. Registration is $125 per person, $200 per couple, including lunch. To register, visit agrilifeevents.tamu.edu.

Establish your place in Michigan

Next month, Michigan State University Extension will host its three-day "Michigan Winery Establishment Workshop" in Benton Harbor, Feb. 17-19. According to its organizers, "Those who have interest in starting a winery will acquire considerable knowledge" about legal and regulatory issues; business aspects; equipping a winery; start-up procedures and market factors for selling wine in the Midwest.
Speakers include a top-flight roster of professionals, led by Dr. Bruce Zoecklein, head of the wine/enology-grape chemistry group at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Linda Jones, executive director of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. Sessions will focus on sourcing grapes; establishing a business plan; winery partnerships; investment timelines and strategies; winery design; equipping a winery; avoiding microbial problems; winery sanitation; and marketing. Representatives from newly established wineries will share their experiences, and exhibits from sponsoring businesses will be on display. Registration is $350, payable by Feb. 6, and includes lunches and dinners. For more details and registration, pone Diane Miner at (269) 944-1477, ext. 201. Read about one hopeful Michigan winemaker at winesandvines.com.

Follow the Missouri vintage

A short-course lasting seven months will begin Feb. 26 in Missouri. Organized by the University of Missouri Extension and Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology, and held at Les Bourgeois Winery and Vineyards in Rocheport, the course is aimed at both current and potential grapegrowers. One half-day class per month is scheduled through October, each addressing "Topics relevant to that time of the growing season," according to Andy Allen, extension viticulturist.

This is the fourth such course the extension has provided, and the third at the winery, Cory Bomgaars, head winemaker at Les Bourgeois, told Wines & Vines. "I tell new growers to take this course first," he commented. "I also have sent three of my staff members through it, and our vineyard managers."

Lecture time at the winery's restaurant is followed every month by sessions in the field, where participants can observe seasonal changes and procedures in the vineyards from the dormant season through post-harvest. Attendance is limited to 70; tuition is $300 per person in-state and $400 for out-of-state students; registration deadline is Feb. 20. Details and a PDF registration form are online at iccve.missuri.edu.

Boot Camp in Sacramento

Clearly illustrating the growing desire to enter the wine industry, the University of California, Davis' ninth annual Wine Executive Program has added a half-day, optional "Boot Camp" for industry newcomers to its program, March 9-12 in Sacramento. Boot camp enlistees will chose between "The Bottom Line: Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers," and "Grapegrowing and Winemaking 101: The Fundamentals," before joining the regular program, which contains high-level presentations on technical, financial and marketing issues. Wines & Vines is again a sponsor. Cost for the boot camp and program is $5,000 ($4,800 until Jan. 26); without boot camp, it's $4,500 ($4,300 early registration). For program and registration, visit wineexecutiveprogram.com.

Stay home and read a book

For those who may be considering a plunge into the grape/wine industry, but are not yet ready to commit to the classroom, why not first pick up a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting and Running a Winery, by Thomas Pellechia? Released late last year by Alpha, it's a we ll-organized, easy read that can help you get an authentic overview of what real winemakers really face. Author Pellechia is a long-time contributor to Wines & Vines who has hands-on experience in most aspects of the industry. In this book, he covers it from the ground up, including worksheets to get you going and keep your plan on track. Despite the title, it's a smart place to start.