SteveinMinnesota

The Minnesota Grape Growers Association is sponsoring a Regional Cold Climate Wine & Grape Conference on February 18-19, 2005 at the Kahler Grand Hotel, Rochester, MN. Registration and Agenda Information can be found on the events page at: http://www.mngrapes.com/

Minnesota Grape Growers Association Spring Symposium - March 13, 2004 Annoyed by pesky vineyard bugs? Nursing ‘sick’ wines in the cellar? This year, MGGA’s annual Spring Symposium will focus on pests in the vineyard and winery, with a focus on the recently arrived Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (MALB). Keynote speakers include Drs. Robert Koch and William Hutchison from the UM Dept. of Entomology, who will present their on-going work on the MALB in Midwestern grapes, and Dr. Gary Pickering of Brock University, Ontario, who will address the problem of MALB taint in wine. In addition, Peter Hemstad will discuss major diseases of Minnesota grapes, Anna Katharine Mansfield will cover microbiological problems in the winery, and Tom Plocher will report on his recent trip to Harbin, China. The Symposium will be held on March 13, 2004 at the Embassy Suites-Minneapolis Airport Hotel, 7901 34th Ave S., Bloomington. (Just south of 494.) The anticipated cost including lunch and various wines is $45 with advance reservation and $55 at the door (if space is still available). Reservations can be made by calling (952) 443-1501 or via email at mansf007@umn.edu. Actual payment can be made the day of the symposium. Pre-registration will close at 5 pm on Wednesday, March 10.

The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Safety will be conducting a workshop in Rochester, MN on March 6, 2004 for anyone interested in the rules, regulations, and compliance issues related to starting a winery. It will be from 8-5 in the Heritage Hall of the Kahler Grand Hotel. Some of the topics to be cover ed include: qualifications of a new bonded winery, application completion, record-keeping and reporting, wine labeling, and excise taxes. Speakers include Persis Ramroth of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Jerome Williams from the National Revenue Center, Rob Schellhorn, from the TTB's Mountain Field Office, and C. Mike Polla from the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the MN Department of Public Safety. Registration is $60 for one, $50/per person for two or more, or $75 at the door. Information and registration forms can be found at: http://www.posttownwinery.com/workshop.htm