Grapes in a vineyard. Grape varieties and vineyard management are two of the topics that will be discussed during the annual Central Texas Vines and Wines on May 7.
Grape varieties and vineyard management are two of the topics that will be discussed during the annual Central Texas Vines and Wines on May 7 in Lorena. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in McLennan County, along with multiple AgriLife Extension county committees and the McLennan County Master Gardeners, will host the seventh annual Central Texas Vines and Wines program on May 7 in Lorena.

The program will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the 15:5 Vineyard, 3405 Southwinds Drive. The cost to attend is $40, and an RSVP is required before May 1. To RSVP, contact the AgriLife Extension office at 254-757-5180.

Breakfast and a steak lunch will be provided. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available, including two integrated pest management and one general. Six certified crop adviser continuing education units will be available.

Vines and Wines agenda

Vineyard owners Robert and Donna Alston will be providing the welcome and sharing the history of the vineyard. Other topics and presenters will be:

  • Moisture monitoring and floor management — Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Denton.
  • Cordon establishment “techniquest” for vine health and longevity — Patrick O’Brien, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Lubbock.
  • Pest and disease concerns during a drought — Fran Pontasch, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
  • U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission winery permitting requirements — Kimberly Frost, shareholder/attorney, Martin, Frost and Hill, Austin.
  • Walking tour of 15:5 Vineyard — Robert and Donna Alston.
  • Grape varieties for Texas — Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist and professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
  • Biochar and soil health — Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., Department of Horticultural Sciences professor and department head, Bryan-College Station.
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