woods wine
Backyard Vineyard Lecture Series
This lecture series consists of three interactive classes. Each can be taken without any pre-requisites. Any student, who elects to take all three classes in the series, will be awarded an official New York Wine & Culinary Center Certificate, suitable for framing. A complimentary tasting of Woods Wine, grown and bottled in Perinton, NY,will be shared as part of each of these three classes: a) Introduction and Planning, b) Installing and Maintaining your Vineyard, and c) Harvest, Crush, Fermentation, and Crush. See the course descriptions below.
Classes are held at the beautiful NY Wine and Culinary Center, in Canandaigua, NY. There are hotels and restaurants near the Center, and may Vineyards and Wineries just a short drive away. You can register online by clicking NYWCC.com , and then selecting the Backyard Vineyard Lecture Series. You can also call the New York Wine & Culinary Center at 585-394-7070 to register by phone.
04/03/10 - Installing and Maintaining Your Vineyard .... 9am - 12pm Sat 04/24/10 - Harvest, Crush, Fermentation, and Press... 9am - 12pm Sat
Introduction and Planning - This introductory session will provide a high level discussion of what is involved in establishing a Backyard Vineyard. Topics include: site selection, cultivar selection, trellis selection, vineyard layout, cost estimating, and planning. The objective of this class is to familiarize the aspiring backyard vineyardists with both the joy of having a backyard vineyard, and also the work involved. After taking this class, students will be better equipped to decide if they would like to proceed with installing their own backyard vineyard.
Installing and Maintaining Your Vineyard - This course will cover how to make your dream of having a Backyard Vineyard a reality. The "nuts and bolts" of starting up and maintaining a Backyard Vineyard will be discussed. Installation topics include preparing your soil, installing your trellis, and planting your vines. Maintenance topics include managing the vineyard floor, training your vines, pruning fundamentals, petiole analysis,and pest control. This is a very practical course that will provide the students with the information needed to roll up their sleeves and get to work. If you enjoy having a garden, you'll love having a Backyard Vineyard.
Harvest, Crush, Fermentation, and Press - There are many elements included in determining the correct time to harvest your grapes. In this class we will look at those elements,and there will be a hands-on demonstration of using a field refractometer. Crusher types will be discussed as well as a high level overview of the chemical additives recommended during the crush. Both whites and reds will be discussed. We will then move on to the tools and equipment used during the fermentation process. We will have a high level overview of chaptalization, enzymes, yeast selection, nutrients, and punchdowns. The various types of presses available, and wine handling after pressing, will be discussed. Upon completion of this class, the student will be equipped with enough information to make wine from grapes on their own.
