PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2006
MGGA announces third annual “Cold Climate Grape and Wine Conference”
September 15, 2006 (CANNON FALLS, MN) – In response to an increasing demand for information specific to cold-climate grape growing and wine making, the Minnesota Grape Growers Association has announced it’s third annual “Cold Climate Grape and Wine Conference”. The theme for the February 16-17 2007 conference is “Northern Viticulture: Growing our Industry”. This will be held at the Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Select Hotel and Suites in Bloomington, MN, close to the MSP International Airport and Mall of America.
This conference, which is expected to draw participants from throughout the United States and Canada, will be highlighted by keynote addresses by Horst Caspari (Colorado State University) “The Colorado Grape and Wine Industry: Growth on a Fast Track” and Chris Lawlor (Galena Cellars, Galena, IL) “Growing a Successful Winery: The Galena Cellars Story” The conference will include two full days of parallel tracks on topics of specific interest to cold-climate grape growers and winemakers including: vineyard frost protection, water stress/drought/irrigation requirements, sustainable winegrowing in cold climates, U of MN releases, petiole analysis/foliar fertilization, expanding the range of grape culture: varieties and cultural methods for extremely cool and short season areas, viticulture and gps, application for grape ipm and vineyard evaluations, pruning/training canopy management, pest/herb/fungicides, grape crop insurance, balancing wine acidity, malolactic fermentation, why pH matters, essential parameters in fermentation management of premium table wines, wine quality control, winery compliance tips from the TTB, a matter of taste: aroma and flavor compounds in Frontenac, wine styles from upper Midwest grapes, and roundtables for both grape-growers and wine makers.
Thursday evening (Feb. 15th) from 7-9pm, Iowa State University Value Added Agriculture Program and the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency will be sponsoring “Help in Addressing the Challenges to Entering the Vineyard and Winery Industry” This workshop is targeted to those with little or no knowledge about growing grapes or making wine and looking to understand the challenges involved in entering the industry. Topics include: Planning to Start a Vineyard? (site location, market demand, costs and training); Planning to Start a Winery? (site location, market demand, costs and training); and The Challenges to Becoming Successful (information will be provided about the resources available to control the risks associated with a start-up vineyard or winery) Each topic will be addressed for 30 minutes with a 30 minute Q & A at the end. Speakers will be announced soon. There is no charge to attend this workshop, and it’s limited to 100 people.
There will be vendors displaying vineyard and winery equipment and machinery, bottling/labeling, supplies, books and nurseries specializing in cold climate cultivars. A reception Friday evening will allow all to try many cold climate wines made from regional winemakers and a chance to renew old friendships and make new ones. The conference will culminate with an informal social and banquet Saturday evening where Mark Chien will inform the attendees about the National Grape and Wine Initiative. For more information on attending or exhibiting at the “MGGA Cold Climate Grape and Wine Conference” visit the MGGA web site at http://www.mngrapes.org/
Conference Director: Lisa Smiley (lisa.smiley@mngrapes.org) 651-258-4334