You know its summer when it’s time for our vineyard walk.

Saturday, August 8th, 4:00 p.m.

The Wisconsin Grape Growers Association is pleased to announce that our hosts this year are Gene and Therese Bergholz of Westby. They have a newer vineyard establishment of Marquette along with a few other varieties. This is the 3rd year for the Marquette which means they will be hanging some fruit for us to see. Their vineyard also has a deer fence installed to protect the vines.

I will start out the program with a growing season update and discussion of current events in the grape and wine industry. We will also have a report from the leadership team of the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association on the association’s activities.

Our guest presenter for the event will be the one and only John Marshall of Great River Vineyard and Nursery from Lake City, MN. John is a licensed nursery for Marquette and has been growing it even before it was officially released. John will share his experiences with Marquette and his management recommendations. Following his presentation, he will lead the group through the vineyard for a tour and critique of the vines. We will be going out into the vineyard – rain or shine – so dress appropriately.

At the conclusion of the vineyard walk, we will have our wine tasting and meal. The only items you MAY wish to bring would be a bottle of wine to share during the wine tasting and grower sharing and a lawn chair.

Please call in your reservations to my office at 608-637-5276 and give your name, phone number and number of reservations to my secretary Brenda. Please call by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 5th so we can order the right amount of food.

The registration fee for the walk is $20 per person to cover the meal and function expenses. We will having a picnic style meal.

Directions to the Bergholz Vineyard:

From La Crosse, take Highway 14 east to Coon Valley. Continue east on 14 going towards Westby for another 3 miles or so. As you get to the top of the hill, the Coon Valley Sales Barn will be on your right. Just past the sales barn will be the left hand turn onto Mathison Lane. The Bergholz home and vineyard is at the very end of the lane. From Westby, travel about 5 miles west on highway 14 and just before the sales barn, you will turn right on Mathison Lane. The street address is S1098 Mathison Lane, Westby, WI 54667.

If you get lost, Gene’s cell phone is 414-587-0588.

As always, if you have any questions please call.

Grapefully Yours,

Timothy K. Rehbein /s/