Four regional vineyard walks set statewide

The University of Wisconsin Extension Fruit Team will be hosting four regional summer vineyard walks for 2012, according to Rebecca Harbut, the UW Extension fruit specialist.

With the continued growing interest in commercial wine and table grape production in Wisconsin, the Fruit Team decided to host the vineyard walks regionally to reach more growers and those interested in becoming a commercial grower.

Each regional vineyard walk will be hosted by a grape grower with vines in production.

The vineyard walk leader will evaluate the vines and answer questions that participants may have about commercial production practices.

With the vineyard walks scheduled for four different dates, growers can attend the closest walk or attend any of the four if desired.

The vineyard walks are held rain or shine so come prepared. Participants are also asked to bring lawn chairs for the grower socializing following the walk.

Dates for the walks as follows:

• Sunday, July 15 - Spirit Creek Vineyard, 3555 Blom Lake Dr., Frederick, 1-3 p.m. Mike and Sue Jahnke and their family started planting Frontenac and Marquette grapes in 2007. They have added La Crescent, Petite Pearl, Brianne and Summerset. Vineyard walk leader is UW Extension Fruit Specialist Rebecca Harbut. Registration fee is $5 payable at the vineyard walk. Email the number attending to kevin.schoessow@ces.uwex.edu or call the Spooner Area UW Extension Office at 715-635-3506. Attendees may bring a wine to share.

• Saturday, July 21 - Himmelgarten Vineyard, 10131 Newton Road, Newton, 4-8 p.m. Randy and Faye Riester planted their first Baco Noir grapes three years ago so this fall will be their first harvest. Vines are trained on a VSP system with unique in-line posts. Vineyard walk leader is UW Extension ag agent Dean Volenberg. Registration is $20, which will include a catered meal. Attendees may bring a wine to share. Those interested should send payment one week in advance to the Door County UW Extension Office, Attn. Vineyard Walk, 421 Nebraska St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. For more information email dean.volenberg@ces.uwex.edu 920-746-2260

• Saturday, Aug. 4 - Viriditas Vineyard, E8101 Green Acres Rd., Viroqua, 4-8 p.m. Jeff and Mary Aderman planted their first Frontenac and Frontenac Gris vines in 2005. Since then they have added La Crescent, Marquette and Brianna. One of the biggest challenges that the vineyard had to experience a couple of years ago was the grape ripe rot infestation. Vineyard walk leader is Mark Hart, a private grape vine breeder from Bayfield. Registration is $20, which will include a catered meal. Attendees may bring a wine to share. Payment should be sent one week in advance to the Vernon County UW Extension Office, Attn. Vineyard Walk, Suite 392, 318 Fairlane Dr., Viroqua, WI 54665. Those with questions should email timothy.rehbein@ces.uwex.edu or 608-637-5276.

• Sunday, Aug. 12 - Staller Estate Vineyard and Winery, W8896 County Rd. A, Delavan, WI, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Joe and Wendy Staller planted their first Frontenac, Foch and La Crescent vines in 2008. They planted with the plans to open a winery of which they did also in 2008. Vineyard walk leader is UW Extension Fruit Specialist Rebecca Harbut. Registration fee is $30, which will include a catered wine - food pairing meal. The winery is a state licensed facility so attendees are asked not to bring any wine to share. Wine from the Staller Winery will be supplied. Registration is limited to 40 people. Those interested should send payment one week in advance to the Walworth County UW Extension Office, Attn. Vineyard Walk, PO Box 1001, 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn, WI 53121. For more information email peg.reedy@ces.uwex.edu or 262-741-4951.