Wine workshop, meeting to be held at Huber's Orchard & Winery

"We do seasonal workshops all across the state, distributing locations so that everyone from commercial wine growers and makers to those just getting started can have a chance to attend," said Christian Butzke, associate professor of enology at Purdue University. "Huber's diverse farm is the second largest winery in the state and a prime example for Indiana's blooming agritourism."

The program begins at 9 a.m. with a tour from Ted Huber, owner, and Bruce Bordelon, a Purdue professor of horticulture and landscape architecture. Getting away from a more traditional-style lecture, Butzke hopes participants will take advantage of the open discussion.

"On the tour we'll be looking at the different crops and fruits grown there, and discussing everything from small fruit crop management to advanced vineyard practices," he said. "Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about a variety of things, such as pest management issues or grape trellising systems."

The second part of the morning will be an inside tour of the winery and distillery, lead by Huber and Butzke, covering aspects of the latest winemaking equipment and techniques as well as an introduction to fruit brandy production.

Afternoon activities will include a lunch speaker on agritourism, highlights from the "Vintage Indiana" wine and food festival from Jeanette Merritt, Purdue marketing and public relations specialist for the Indiana Wine Grape Council, and information about the 2006 Indy International Wine Competition, the United States' third largest, from Ellie Butz, Purdue enology specialist.

"There will also be an Indiana Winegrowers Guild business meeting, where we'll be discussing all implications of the latest wine legislation," said Butzke. "This Purdue Extension workshop will give the Midwest wine industry a broad update on all pertinent matters, from farming and production to marketing and regulatory issues."

Following the workshop, the Wine Grape Action Team will host a B.Y.O.W. (Bring Your Own Wine), a wine tasting event for professionals only, where winemakers and grape growers will have the opportunity to get a peer review and critique of their own products before they market them.

Registration for this workshop is $50 for Indiana Winegrowers Guild members, or $75 for nonmembers. Reservations are required in advance. To register, visit the Wineries of Indiana Web site or contact Jill Blume, Purdue enology assistant, at blume@purdue.edu.

Writer: Jennifer Culy, (765) 494-8402, jculy@purdue.edu

Source: Christian Butzke, (765) 494-6500, butzke@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

To the News Service home page