University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Herds and Harvest is offering "Growing Grapes and Making Wine in Nevada," Oct. 29 in Reno, Nov. 5 in Las Vegas and Nov. 12 in Elko. Taught in partnership with the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the workshop is meant to help beginning farmers and ranchers, and anyone interested in grape growing and wine making to develop agricultural entrepreneurship, implement sustainable agricultural marketing strategies and improve profitability.
"Grapes use one-tenth of the water that alfalfa and other grain crops need to grow," College of Agriculture's Jordan Chaffin, who is teaching during the workshop, said. "In addition, wine growing has been booming across the country, especially in Washington State, which has a similar climate to northern Nevada. It's a $4 billion industry in Washington, and Nevada could be next."
Topics will be presented by Chaffin and the College of Agriculture's Grant Cramer. The class will conclude with a wine tasting of local varieties. Topics include:
- Growing Grapes and Making Wine in Nevada
- Organizing your Viticulture Business
The University has been doing research on growing grapes in Nevada since establishing its own vineyard in 1995. Cramer has been doing research for more than 30 years on helping plants grow in adverse conditions. His research focuses on growing plants that tolerate salt-water irrigation, drought and cold. He was named the College's Researcher of the Year in 2006 and 2010.
Chaffin graduated from University of California, Davis, with a degree in viticulture and enology, or wine making, in 2015. During the past six years, he has been making wine and planning and planting vineyards. He also worked for companies in Napa and Sonoma in California, and for companies in New Zealand.
All three workshops will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $20 and covers lunch and room fees. The Reno class and wine tasting will be at Studio on 4th, 432 E. Fourth St. Register online at . The Las Vegas class and tasting will be at Khoury's Fine Wine and Spirits, 9915 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 110. Register online at . The Elko class and wine tasting will be at Great Basin College, 1500 College Parkway. Register online at .
