Education in Viticulture and Enology.
Late in 2009 a small group held an exploratory meeting at the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Carrollton to discuss the possibility of starting a vineyard and winery industry as part of a larger on-going sustainable agriculture initiative. Carroll County leaders had actively been pursuing ways for the areas many small farm owners to be able to become involved in an agriculture venture that didn’t require large tracks of land. It was decided that the viticulture project warranted further investigation, so a series of public meetings were set up to gauge interest. The response was greater than expected. Almost sixty association members from eight counties were signed up within four months. By December of 2011, there were 160 members from 21 Georgia counties, 5 Alabama counties, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. A corporate membership program was also started in May 2011.
THE PAST
From roadsidegeorgia.com article on Tallapoosa.
A look back in time offers possible inspiration as well as a significant heritage to build upon. In the 1890’s this area of west Georgia and east Alabama was a major part of grape and wine production in America, with up to 20,000 acres of grapes. They were shipping train loads of fruit and wine nationwide. There was a large active fruit growers association of Haralson and Carroll County farmers, as well as a fully staffed Georgia-Alabama Fruit Growing and Winery Association. In 1907 Georgia prohibition laws shut down this major economic engine. Our association hopes to re-establish the economic benefits of a vineyard-winery industry in western Georgia after a century of dormancy. For more history of the area surrounding Tallapoosa click here.
THE PRESENT
The association is also to serve as an educational group working with area cooperative extension agents to do projects that create general public interest with wine tastings and field trips, and to offer specific step by step advice to potential growers with a series of workshops featuring the leading grape and vineyard experts in the south. The first workshops were in October and November 2011, a third was in February 2011, and a fourth in May 2011. The goal is to take these numerous novice grape growers project by project through the site prep, planting, trellising, pruning, spraying, and harvesting of their grapes. In July 2011 we held our first Wine Grape Symposium that drew 110 people from seven states. Check the events tab for some examples of past events and for a schedule of events for the future.
THE FUTURE
The agritourism component is drawing wide spread interest. The Georgia Department of Economic Development, Chambers of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureaus are very interested in the potential for bringing tourist dollars to west Georgia and are requesting speaking engagements, programs and information on our sustainable agriculture initiative.
The association joined the Georgia Wine Producers at its inaugural meeting in January 2015. The association president, Jerry Culver, was elected as a board member for Georgia Wine Producers for the middle Georgia district. We look forward to a most productive collaboration with GWP. The association and GWP are also working together to lobby for permanent professor positions for the University of Georgia in viticulture and enology.
The association seeks to research the viability for a winery cooperative. A co-op business model could greatly expand the potential for grower participation by offering a processing and marketing entity. Thereby, a true grower controlling sustainable agriculture initiative could be firmly established. We have already acquired feasibility studies and business plans from two winery co-ops in Maryland and Illinois and would welcome other successful models to study. A co-op winery could be another step in expanding the growing vineyard and winery industry in Georgia. This could be a true grass roots agriculture venture to expand the market potential of this farm commodity that is now mostly limited to those able to afford their own winery.
The association joined the Georgia Wine Producers at its inaugural meeting in January 2015. The association president, Jerry Culver, was elected as a board member for Georgia Wine Producers for the middle Georgia district. We look forward to a most productive collaboration with GWP. The association and GWP are also working together to lobby for permanent professor positions for the University of Georgia in viticulture and enology.
The association seeks to research the viability for a winery cooperative. A co-op business model could greatly expand the potential for grower participation by offering a processing and marketing entity. Thereby, a true grower controlling sustainable agriculture initiative could be firmly established. We have already acquired feasibility studies and business plans from two winery co-ops in Maryland and Illinois and would welcome other successful models to study. A co-op winery could be another step in expanding the growing vineyard and winery industry in Georgia. This could be a true grass roots agriculture venture to expand the market potential of this farm commodity that is now mostly limited to those able to afford their own winery.
