by Andrew Chalk
A landmark annual event in the Texas wine industry is Newsom Grape Day. Held each year in the farm buildings of Newsom Vineyards in Plains, Texas, the event acts as a magnet for winemakers from across the state for a day of discussion of current viticultural issues. The attendance is an indication of the event’s importance to the industry in that Plains is just 102 miles from Roswell New Mexico, a popular retirement home for extraterrestrial life.
This year’s agenda is below and members of the public with an interest in grape growing are welcome to attend. The following day if The High Plains Winegrowers Wine & Music event so plan on spending the whole weekend.
Newsom Grape Day
May 9, 2014
Tempranillo Symposium
- 8:00 – 9:00 Registration
- 9:00 – 9:15 Welcome – Neal Newsom
- 9:15 – 10:00 Comparison of Tempranillo growing regions in Spain and TX
Dr. Ed Hellman, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas Tech
- 10:00 – 10:30 Break & Vineyard Equipment
- 10:30 – 11:30 Deep cold maceration of Tempranillo
Bob Young, Bending Branch Winery
- 11:30 – 11:45 TWGGA legislative update
Gabe Parker, Chair, TWGGA legislative committee
- 11:45 – 12:00 Newsom Scholarships Recipients
- 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch With The Bingham Band
- 1:00 – 1:45 Effects of canopy management and light levels on
Tempranillo fruit composition
Dr. Justin Scheiner, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
- 2:00 – 3:30 Experiences with Tempranillo wine
Dr. Rafael Ruiz, Sommelier
Marta Sanchez, Winemaker – Haak Vineyards & Winery
Dan Gatlin, Winemaker – Inwood Estates Winery
We will spend the remainder of the day talking and visiting until time for dinner. Then we will go into town and eat at our favorite Mexican Food place. They let us bring our own wine!! We return to the Barnery and talk grapes/wine until the cows come home.
Please RSVP to neal@newsomvineyards.com or 806-456-7885
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