Go Thirsty

Texas Department of Agriculture Launches New GO TEXAN or Go Thirsty Program

http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/media/media_render/0,1460,1848_17053_45415_0,00.html

A Business Model Adjustment

Good lesson from Damian Mandola on having all your fingers in the pie; you can’t be the restauranteur, and the wine maker, and expect the competition to buy your wine. See http://www.robbwalsh.com/2010/06/news-flash-mandola-winery-sold/

Excuses to Visit Fredericksburg, Tx this December

For many in Central Texas it’s easy to find an excuse to make a day or weekend trip to Fredericksburg for an annual holiday shopping tradition or to visit the many area wineries for wine tasting. Here are a few more reasons to plan your trip in December.

• Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar
• Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the National Museum of the Pacific War
• Gillespie County Historical Society hosts is annual Holiday Homes Tour Saturday December, 11 noon-6pm
• Hire a private “Clean Air” Mercedes or other Clean Air limo and let the chauffeurs take you for a unique full-day wine tasting experience through the Hill Country. (Austin’s Eco-Luxury Limousine Service)
• Olive Oil Tasting
• Day of Beauty at on of the many Day Spas : European Day Spa of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Herb Farm Nature’s Spa
• Fredericksburg Herb Gardens and Restaurant
• Take the kids to visit the Alpaca Farm
• Kid’s Art Lab & Lounge M-F, Sat. for special parties
• Magic & Costume Shop

Prospective Wine-Grape Grower Workshop, Thurs. Nov. 18, 9-4

People interested in commercial wine-grape production are invited to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s next Prospective Wine-Grape Grower Workshop, set for Nov. 18 in Fredericksburg.

The workshop, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $125 apiece or $200 for couples, is for those considering planting a commercial vineyard and those who already have planted and are thinking about expanding to commercial scale, said Penny Adams, the service’s viticulture adviser for the Texas Hill Country.

Online registration can be completed at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu and entering “wine” as the keyword, or by calling (979) 845-2604. On-site registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 18.

The event will take place at the extension office in Gillespie County, 95 Frederick Road.

Prospective Winegrower Workshops

Grape growing is a labor intensive enterprise that requires significant up-front investment in comparison to many other agricultural crops. The Prospective Winegrower Workshop was created by the Texas AgriLife Extension Viticulture Team to educate farmers, entrepreneurs, or any individual considering planting a commercial vineyard. This one-day educational event consists of a series of presentations that provide an overview of the unique requirements and risks associated with establishment and operation of a commercial vineyard in Texas. The workshop is co-instructed by AgriLife Extension Viticulture Advisors at multiple locations throughout the state.

Workshop topics include:

* Vineyard Economics
* Necessary Viticulture Expertise
* Vineyard Site Considerations
* Risk Factors
* Vineyard Labor Requirements

Fee: $125, Lunch is provided ($200 per couple)
Register online: AgriLife Extension Events
Keyword Search: Wine

The Prospective Winegrower Workshop serves as a prerequisite for application to the Texas Viticulture Certificate Program, offered by Texas Tech University and Texas AgriLife Extension. Go to the Certificate Program website for information on this educational program.

2010

October 12		Lead Instructor: Fran Pontasch Location: Pittsburg, TX
November 18		Lead Instructor: Penny Adams Location: Fredericksburg, TX

2011

January 25		Lead Instructor: Fran Pontasch Location: Stephenville, TX
March 16		Lead Instructor: Fritz Westover Location: Houston, TX
May 2		Lead Instructor: Penny Adams Location: Fredericksburg, TX
June 17		Lead Instructor: Dusty Timmons Location: Lubbock, TX