The first of three University of Nebraska Viticulture Program tailgates was held July 2 on East Campus. Attendees were given a first look at the university’s new high-tunnel table grape project, followed by visits to the ongoing wine grape research vineyard, which boasts over 30 cultivars and breeder selections.

According to Paul Read, professor of agronomy and horticulture, the table grape project is now in its third growing season.

“The University of Nebraska Viticulture Program continues to be instructive and educational for Nebraska’s grape and wine industry, as it includes new selections from different breeding programs and replaces cultivars and selections as they are proven to be useful or rejected as unsuitable for Nebraska vineyards,” Read said.

Discussion at the upcoming tailgates will focus on harvesting, including topics like:

• Estimating likely crop load
• Tank space
• Adequate plans for harvest personnel
• Picking by hand or machine harvest
• Routine maintenance on harvester
• Scouting vineyards for the invasion of pesky critters

The next viticulture tailgates are scheduled from 4 to 8:45 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 7. Free and open to the public, the tailgates are for anyone interested in growing grapes commercially or in a home garden setting. The programs will focus on summer vineyard tasks, crop estimation and pre-harvest management issues.

The July 31 tailgate will take place at the George Spencer Tasting Room, 7155 Pawnee Rd. near Gibbon, Nebraska. The Aug. 7 tailgate will be held at Cellar 426 Wines and Vines, 1402 Dennis Dean Rd. near Ashland, Nebraska.