Events

Wines & Vines, May, 2003

International conference will be in Sacramento.

The United States Secretary of Agriculture is inviting ministers of agriculture, health, science, technology and trade to attend an international ministerial conference and expo on agricultural science and technology in Sacramento, Calif., June 23-25. The conference and expo are co-sponsored by the USDA, USAID and the State Department, and will focus on the role of science and technology in agricultural productivity in developing countries. For more information, visit the Web site exhibitpro.com.

Fresno event is June 1.

Two California State University, Fresno, alumni groups, the CSUF Viticulture Alumni Club and the Enology Alumni Association of CSUF, have joined forces to present the 21st "Celebration of Wine" June 1 at the Dennes Coombs' Riverbend Ranch. Nearly 100 West Coast wineries and 50 restaurants are expected to contribute their wares for the festivities, which will include cooking demonstrations, a silent wine auction and live music. Cost is $65 per person and attendance limited to 2,500. For more information and tickets, phone (559) 244-5741 or visit the Web site acelebrationofwine.com.

CCVT hosts vineyard seminars.

The Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT) has scheduled educational events in local vineyards. "Irrigation/DU (distribution uniformity)" sessions will be at San Bernabe Vineyard, King City, on May 27, Kendall-Jackson, Los Alamos May 28 and Pacific Vineyard, San Luis Obispo, May 29. Mornings will be held in English, afternoons in Spanish. Canopy Management/ Mechanization seminars, in English, will be at Whitehills Vineyard, Santa Maria on June 3, San Bernabe Vineyard, King City, June 4, and French Camp Vineyard, Paso Robles, June 6. For more information, visit the Web site vineyardteam.org.

London show is in May.

The London Wine & Spirits Fair will be held May 20-22 at ExCel in London's Docklands waterfront development. More than 1,200 companies from every major wine nation exhibited at the 2002 edition. For details, visit the Web site londonwinefair.com.

Applicants sought for 100 Year Club.

The California State Fair, California Chamber of Commerce and California Farmer magazine are soliciting applications for a new "100 Year Club," to recognize agricultural family enterprises, agribusinesses and associations/organizations that have operated in the state for more than 100 years. Forms must be returned by May 15. For more information, contact (916) 263-3636.

Cornell must rename new grape.

Grape breeders at Cornell University, Geneva, N.Y, will rename their newly developed red wine grape. Its creators originally dubbed the grape "Abundance," but were forced to withdraw the name after Abundance Vineyards, Sonoma, Calif., claimed they owned the trademark for the name. For now, the grape will revert to its test name, GR7, short for Geneva Red 7. For more information, visit the Web site nysaes.cornell.edu/pubs/press/current.