Farm Bureau Offering Seminar On Grape Growing & Wine Making

Litchfield — Is there a vineyard in your future?

Many owners of agricultural land dream of someday being able to gaze over acres of their own vineyards. Is it just a romantic notion, or is there money in that dream? And if it is possible to grow grapes for profit, what about the next step, establishing a commercial winery?

The Litchfield County Farm Bureau is producing “Grapes — The Next Cash Cow?” an evening seminar presenting an overview of grape growing and wine making. It is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield on Wed, April 27.

Two well-known area farmers will describe how their wineries became a “Connecticut Farm Winery.” Lead-off speaker Jamie Jones has a farm in Shelton that has just produced its first wine from grapes that he planted five years ago. Bill Hopkins is scheduled to be the final speaker. In the late 1970s, Mr Hopkins turned his family dairy farm, located on hillsides overlooking Lake Waramaug in New Preston, into what has become one of Connecticut’s largest and most successful Connecticut Farm Wineries.

Between these two farm winery presentations, there will be three short talks by professionals in the field of viticulture. Jim Baker, the vineyard manager at the Hopkins Farm Winery, will give an overview of the seasonal activities in the vineyard. Wayne Stitzer, a professional winery consultant, will talk of the pitfalls he has witnessed and offer advice to the would-be vintner.  And Dr William Nail, a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) will brief the audience on the grape- growing research projects underway, and resources available, at CAES.

The presentations will be followed by the panel of speakers answering questions from the audience. There will be a tasting of Connecticut wines and cheeses during the intermission.

The seminar is free to Farm Bureau members, and costs $10 for nonmembers. Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling 860-567-9019 or toll-free 866-733-4365 toll free, or by sending email to LCFB@optonline.net