Viticulture Certificate Program Schedule
Scroll Below Schedule to See Topics Covered in Each Course |
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|---|---|---|---|
Dates* |
Unit |
Instructor |
Action |
Feb 1-April 30 |
Grapevine Anatomy and Physiology – Research Paper Due |
Keller |
On-line |
May 1 – July 30 |
Growing Grapes – Research Paper Due |
Moyer |
On-line |
Aug 1 – 15 |
Disease Management – Research Paper Due |
Moyer |
On-line |
Aug 16 – Sept 26 |
Viral Diseases of Grapes – Online Exam |
Rayapati |
On-line |
Usually 3rd weekend in September |
Grape Camp I
|
|
Weekend in Prosser, WA |
Sept 26 – Oct 20 |
Insects & Biological Control – Online Exam |
James |
On-line |
Oct 21 – Nov 23 |
Nematodes of Grapevines – Online Exam |
Riga |
On-line |
Nov 24 – Jan 5 |
Weed Management – Online Exam |
Miller |
On-line |
Jan 6 – March 10 |
Viticulture and Enology Interface – Online Exam |
Harbertson |
On-line |
Usually 1st weekend in March |
Grape Camp II
|
|
Weekend in Prosser, WA |
March 11 – April 20 |
Economic & Business Principles of Growing Grapes – Online Exam |
Ball & Folwell |
On-line |
April 21 – July 3 |
Principles of Soil & Nutrient Management – Discussion Assignments and Paper |
Davenport |
On-line |
Usually 2nd weekend in June |
Grape Camp III
|
|
Weekend in Prosser, WA |
July 4 – Aug 4 |
Principles & Practices of Grapevine Irrigation – Online Exam |
Peters |
On-line |
* Schedule subject to change with notification.
Viticulture Course Topics
Grapevine Anatomy and Physiology
Taught by Dr. Markus Keller, this course is an introduction to the physical structure of the grapevine, the various organs, their functions, and their interactions with the environment. This course focuses on those elements of physiology that will enhance your understanding of vine function and how they relate to grape production. The course will cover the basic concepts in growth and development, water relations, photosynthesis, respiration, mineral uptake and utilization, and carbon partitioning. Then these concepts will be put to use to understand plant-environment interactions including stress physiology and an introduction to canopy dynamics, yield formation and fruit composition.
Lecture Topics:
Lecture 1 – Botany and Geography
Lecture 2 – Roots, Shoots and Buds
Lecture 3 – Leaves and Clusters
Lecture 4 – Phenology and Growth Cycle
Lecture 5 – Water Relations and Nutrient Uptake
Lecture 6 – Photosynthesis and Respiration
Lecture 7 – Transport and Distribution
Lecture 8 – Canopy and Environment
Lecture 9 – Nutrient Use – Nitrogen
Lecture 10 – Yield Formation
Lecture 11 – Fruit Composition
Lecture 12 – Environmental Constraints
Growing Grapes
This course is designed to teach students about practical viticulture production. Several aspects of viticulture management for premium wine grape production will be covered, including wine grape variety selection, optimization of site selection, use of clean plant material, vineyard trellising and layout, canopy management, and measuring harvest maturity. By the end of this course, you should be able to have the information needed to begin planning your vineyard.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Site Selection
Lecture 2 – Plant Material
Lecture 3 – Laying out the Vineyard 1
Lecture 4 – Laying out the Vineyard 2
Lecture 5 – Canopy Management
Lecture 6 – Harvest Maturity and Measurement
Lecture 7 – Cold Injury and Protection
Lecture 8 – Miscellaneous Factors in Grape Production
Lecture 9 – Impacts of Climate Change on Grape Production
Disease Management
In this comprehensive course you will develop a basic understanding of plant pathology and what causes plant disease. You will also learn strategies in plant disease and pesticide resistance management, in addition to identifying major diseases in Washington vineyards, as well as important grape diseases world-wide.
Lecture Topics:
Lecture 1 – Introduction to Disease Management
Lecture 2 – Concepts in Disease Management
Lecture 3 – Language and Scouting
Lecture 4 – Grape Powdery Mildrew
Lecture 5 – Botrytis, Bunch Rot and Blight
Lecture 6 – Crown Gall of Grapevines
Lecture 7 – Other Diseases
Virus Diseases of Grapevines
In this course you will learn about the viruses that affect grapevines, how they spread, how they manifest themselves, and how they effect the subsequent wine. After completing the virus disease course you will be aware of the importance of planting certified disease free vines.
Lecture Topics:
Lecture 1 – Overview of Viruses
Lecture 2 – Virus diseases of grapevines, symptoms and vector
Lecture 3 – Virus diseases of grapevines, continued
Lecture 4 – Management of grapevine viruses
Nematodes of Grapevines
This course will familiarize students with plant parasitic nematodes, their morphology, their feeding habits and their importance to the grape industry. Students will know the primary nematodes pests in Washington vineyards, the prevention techniques and the remedies available.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – General Nematode Biology
Lecture 2 – Lifecylces and Feeding Habits of Nematodes
Lecture 3 – Main Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Washington State
Lecture 4 – Green Manure Research and Nematicides
Insects and Biological Control
This course, taught by Dr. David James, will introduce you to the insect pests of the grapevine with an emphasis on the pests of Washington State. It will cover the predators for insects, the principles strategies of biological control and how to apply them in the vineyard.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Insect and Mite Pests in Washington Vineyards
Lecture 2 – Biological Control of Insects and Mites in Washington Vineyards
Lecture 3 – Beneficial Insects and Mites in Washington Vineyards
Weeds Management
This course, taught by Dr. Tim Miller, will cover all aspects of weed management in the vineyard including the methods and timing, the limitations, and the efficacy of mechanical, cultural and chemical methods. An emphasis will be placed on the chemical controls available and how to use them in the safest, most effective and most economical ways.
The Lectures Topics are:
Lecture 1 – Weed Biology
Lecture 2 – Weed Reproduction
Lecture 3 – Non-Chemical Control Strategies
Lecture 4 – Chemical Control Strategies
V & E Interface
This course covers the basics of biochemistry as it related to winemaking. You will be introduced to winemaking and the major components in grapes that influence winemaking and wine quality.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Review of Biochemistry
Lecture 2 – Overview of Winemaking
Lecture 3 – Sugars
Lecture 4 – Acids
Lecture 5 – Phenolic Compounds
Lecture 6 – Aromatic Compounds
Economics of Grape Production
This course will provide information on the economic aspects of developing or starting a premium wine grape vineyard. Included in the program are the basic economics, financial tools and statements that are needed to effectively own and operate a vineyard. In addition, a portion of the course will focus on the development of a business plan and contracts for a vineyard.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Business Planning
Lecture 2 – Wine Economies
Lecture 3 – Economic Concepts
Lecture 4 – Time Value and Budgets
Lecture 5 – Financials and Ratios
Lecture 6 – Cash Flow
Lecture 7 – Scenarios and Credit
Soil and Nutrient Management
The objective of this course is to introduce concepts of soil science with an emphasis on soil properties for premium wine grape production. We will address soil formation, physical and chemical properties, as well so soil and, to a lesser extent, water management. Topics will be addressed to cover the concepts behind and practical guidance for decision making for soil and nutrient management, including aspects of soil water as this influences plant nutrient availability. Concepts covered will be: nutrient management strategies and needs for newly planted and established vineyards; irrigation water quality and quantity management as related to soil and nutrient management.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Introduction to Soil Properties
Lecture 2 – Introduction to Soil Properties, continued
Lecture 3 – Soil Chemical Properties
Lecture 4 – Soil Variability
Lecture 5 – Essential Plant Nutrients
Lecture 6 – Soil Derived Nutrient Uptake
Lecture 7 – Soil Testing
Lecture 8 – Plant Tissue Testing
Lecture 9 – Soil Water
Lecture 10 – Irrigation Water Quality
Lecture 11 – Irrigation and Soil Salinity
Lecture 12 – Nutrient Management
Lecture 13 – Soil Management
Lecture 14 – Site Preparation and Cover Crops
Irrigation Management of Grapevines
The course is taught by Dr.Troy Peters, WSU Irrigation Specialist. After completing this course you will understand the principles of irrigation and be able to predict the irrigation needs and timing of grapevines, and have the knowledge to design and install a drip irrigation system, a chemigation system, and be familiar with the different types of soil moisture monitors so you can make the appropriate choices for your vineyard.
Lectures Topics:
Lecture 1 – Irrigation Scheduling
Lecture 2 - Drip Irrigation Systems
Lecture 3 - Grapevine Irrigation
Lecture 4 – Chemigation & Soil Moisture Sensors