Viticulture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Learn sustainable winegrowing</p> <p>A workshop on sustainable winegrowing for grape growers and vintners will be held Friday in Santa Rosa. The event takes place at the Hilton Hotel, 3555 Round Barn Blvd.</p><p>Registration is at 8 a.m. Friday with the workshop beginning at 8:30 a.m. RSVPs are requested by Tuesday. Attendees will learn about the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program and the steps to self-assessment of vineyard and/or winery operations. There is no cost to attend. Reservations are required. Call (415) 356-7545 or contact lisa@wineinstitute.org.</p><h3>Get up-to-speed on pesticides</h3> <p>The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission is sponsoring an advanced employee development workshop about pesticides on Saturday. The course, which will be taught in Spanish, runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Healdsburg Library, 139 Piper St.</p><p>Reservations are required by Wednesday. Vineyard employees will learn how to reduce the chances of pests developing resistance to pesticides. The presenter is Daniel Robledo of Crop Protection Services. There is no cost to participants. RSVP to 522-5862 or by e-mail at ipm@sonomawinegrape.org.</p><h3>Ballots out on pest referendum</h3> <p>The Pierce's Disease/Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Referendum to extend the assessment that funds the vineyard pest containment and research program is under way.</p><p>The California Department of Food and Agriculture sent out ballots March 29. They are due back within the month.</p><p>The Wine Institute has encouraged members to vote "yes" to extend the assessment for an additional five years. For more information, go online to www.protectyourvineyard.com.</p><p>— Kevin McCallum</p>