Extension workshops focus on winemaking, late gardening

WSU Cooperative Extension is offering workshops on making wine and extending the gardening season.

Two workshops are being offered to teach the art of wine making. On October 19, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., participants will learn how to grow grapes, with topics on site requirements and preparation, plant selection, care of young plants, trellising and pruning options, and pest management.

The October 26 workshop will cover the winemaking process, from picking and crushing grapes to the bottling process.

For both classes, participants will tour several vineyards in the afternoon. Speaker John Choquer operates a vineyard of 50+ acres with over 25,000 plants planted in the last three years.

The class is being held in the Cowlitz County Training Center at 1942 First Avenue in Longview. The cost is $25 per family for each class or $40 to attend both classes. Preregistration is required and space is limited.

On October 7 at 6:30 p.m., WSU Master Gardener Jon Griffin will talk about harvesting the garden and extending the growing season through the fall.

The class will be held for free in the Fair Exposition located in Longview on the Cowlitz County fairgrounds. The workshops are sponsored by Washington State University Cooperative Extension and Extension Master Gardeners.