Viticulture 101 takes place Thursday, May 19 through Saturday May 21, beginning at Crush Wine Bar in Arcata and culminating with a trip to Willow Creek to visit Humboldt County’s only designated American Viticulture Area (AVA).
Winemaker and viticulturist Wil Franklin, the course instructor, describes the class as an interactive and hands-on chance to learn best practices in vineyard establishment and management.
“If you are thinking about planting grape vines in Humboldt, this course will expose you to all the important factors in the decision making process of development and maintenance of a working vineyard,” Franklin explains. “And it will focus on the organic and sustainable practices suitable for Humboldt’s unique growing conditions.”
Viticulture 101 kicks off on Thursday, May 19 with a meet-and-greet reception from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Crush Wine Bar in Arcata. On Friday, May 20, classroom instruction takes place at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center in Eureka from 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. A wine-tasting designed to highlight vineyard influences is included. Saturday’s May 21 field trip to Willow Creek includes visits to Winnett Vineyards and Gardner Ranch, two of Humboldt County’s premium grape-growing properties.
Two additional From Vine to Table: Humboldt Wine Studies courses will be offered in fall 2016, to complete the series. They are Wine Sensory Evaluation and Service with Pam Long and Marketing Wine in Humboldt County and Beyond with Elizabeth Hans McCrone.
These courses focus on improving general wine knowledge through formal, guided wine-tasting experiences and learning successful business strategies by building a loyal customer base and developing a recognizable wine brand.
For registration and more information, call (707) 826-3731 or visit http://www.humboldt.edu/extended.