Viticulture Conference to Showcase Hugh Courtney’s Biodynamic Preparation Demonstration

Viticulture Conference to Showcase Hugh Courtney’s Biodynamic Preparation Demonstration – bring a jug, get some free!

Asheville, NC – On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute (SAVI) and Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard, in conjunction with Warren Wilson College in Asheville NC, will host the 3^rd Annual Sustainable Viticulture Conference. The all-day conference (8AM until 5PM) will feature speakers who will share information on how to grow grapes organically/biodynamically, how to design a small sustainable winery, winemaking chemistry know-how, making BioDynamic preparations, what one must do to prepare to sell grapes to value added producers, how to recognize the beneficial life forms in your vineyard soil, and how to make wines from organically/biodynamically grown grapes.

Hugh Courtney is one of the featured speakers at this year’s Sustainable Viticulture Conference. Hugh’s presentation “The Biodynamic Preparations, Achieving Quality in Soil and Vineyard” will focus on how to use Biodynamic preparations to make productive solid for growing grapes (and anything else) using materials that grow naturally on your farm. Hugh discovered the world of biodynamic agriculture in 1975 and over a period of years served an apprenticeship in the making of the biodynamic preparations under the tutelage of the premier preparation maker in the United States, Josephine Porter. Upon her death in 1984, Hugh took over her work in making and distributing the biodynamic preparations, founding in 1985 the Josephine Porter Institute (JPI) for Applied Biodynamics, Inc. His dedication to spreading the preparations far and wide so the Earth may be healed is untiring. Hugh has been serving as Executive Director of the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Inc. since he founded it over 27 years ago. In 1978, Hugh, along with his parents and wife, Elizabeth, purchased the farm in Woolwine, VA. In 1985, one year after Josephine Porter’s death, JPI was founded to provide the home for the preparations. By providing this level of expertise, skill and leadership to the organization, JPI has provided biodynamic preparations, educational workshops, and internships for tens of thousands of people worldwide over the last 27 years.

Hugh Courtney’s presentation will be in the morning. In the afternoon, Hugh will show conference participants how to prepare a series of Biodynamic preparations. He has requested that anyone who wants to take home some free BD preparation to please bring a quart or gallon jug to take some home and use on their gardens or vineyards. Hugh will tell conference attendees how to use biodynamic preparations to “Heal the Earth.” www.JPIBiodynamics.org

There are over 60 acres of grapes planted in private vineyards in Madison, Yancey, Buncombe, Haywood, and Henderson Counties, not counting the many acres of existing mature vineyards in commercial vineyards like Biltmore and Burnt Shirt Vineyard. Growers are now requesting assistance in designing and building the next wineries. And the owners of these new vineyards will soon need help in winemaking methodologies too. The Viticulture Conference provides educational sessions available to all people interested in growing grapes in the mountains, as well as introductory winery design, and winemaking.

The conference registration fee is $60 paid in advance or $75 walk-in. Registration fee includes lunch, coffee break refreshments, handouts, and free parking. Online registration is now available at www.GrapeSAVI.org – Sponsors and Trade Show Vendors may also register at the same website. On-line registration will close on Friday, February 15th at midnight.

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ABOUT:

Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard has been instrumental in organizing and conducting educational sessions for grape growers around the region. Sustainable viticulture is a new practice in the mountains of WNC. Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard is a founding member of The Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute (SAVI), and the French Broad Vignerons L.L.C. (FBV) – a grape-growing & wine-making organization formed in 2010. For more information about Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard see www.JeweloftheBlueRidge.com or www.GrapeSAVI.org to learn more about the Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute. For information about the FBV see www.FrenchBroadVigneron.org

Warren Wilson College provides a distinctive undergraduate and graduate liberal arts education combining academics, work, and service in a learning community committed to environmental responsibility, cross-cultural understanding, and the common good. Warren Wilson College’s vision is to lead the nation toward a new model for liberal arts education through the innovation of its Triad educational program (academics, work, and service), the quality of its academic engagement, the fulfillment of its sustainability principles, the depth of its commitment to diversity, the vitality of its community, and its nurturing of individual well-being. For more information about the college see www.warren-wilson.edu

Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute (SAVI) promotes the research, development, propagation and planting of cold-hardy and disease resistant grape cultivars in vineyards in the Appalachian Mountains using sustainable farming methods including organic and biodynamic methods. SAVI will participate in the development and implementation of training programs on all phases of grape growth and propagation. The work is focused on the 23 mountain counties of Western North Carolina. www.GrapeSAVI.org

For additional information about the upcoming conference, to schedule a radio or TV interview, please contact Chuck Blethen, Executive Director, Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute, 828-606-3130, Blethen@GrapeSAVI.org

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North Carolina now is home to more than 120 licensed wineries and over 475 commercial vineyards.

Grapes is the raw material that has the potential to drive the economic development for the 23 mountain counties of North Carolina. Over 150 different value added products come from grapes.

This is the most recent report on the economic impact of the grape industry for North Carolina:

http://www.nccommerce.com/Portals/10/Documents/NorthCarolinaWineEconomicImpactStudy2009.pdf