The program will be from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Delaney Vineyards, 2000 Champagne Blvd. Directions can be found at http://www.delaneyvineyards.com/index.html.

The workshop is a collaboration of the viticulture team and Dr. Guy Fipps, AgriLife Extension agricultural engineer and director of the Irrigation Technology Center, part of Texas A&M AgriLife's Texas Water Resources Institute, according to Fritz Westover, statewide viticulture program coordinator. It is one of the first in a series of irrigation workshops to be offered in grape-growing regions throughout the state.

"The focus of these workshops will be on drip irrigation injector technology and soil-moisture monitoring," Westover said.

He added that drip injection systems are becoming an industry standard for delivering fertilizers and pesticides in Texas vineyards, and the workshops are in response to grape-grower interest in enhancing knowledge of soil moisture monitoring, particularly after recent drought years.

"Growers who wish to better their understanding of technology and science-based irrigation water management through soil-moisture monitoring and evapotranspiration will benefit greatly by attending one of these workshops," Fipps said.

Workshops will include presentations by Fipps and his team of irrigation specialists, followed by hands-on demonstrations of calibration and installation in the field.

Fran Pontasch, AgriLife Extension viticulture advisor for North Texas, said that increasing water concerns make the correct and most effective application of water to vines extremely important to the vineyard owner or manager.

"Quality, quantity and timing of water application during the growing season all influence vine growth and, ultimately, the quality of the fruit and resulting wines," she said.

Workshop topics will include:

- Field demonstrations on calibration of the three primary types of drip injection systems -- positive displacement, diaphragm and venture.

- Laws and regulations of drip injection systems.

- Guidelines on injecting fertilizers and chemicals into drip systems.

- Irrigation system maintenance, including cleaning and clog control.

- Installation and monitoring of soil-moisture sensors.

- Interpreting data from soil moisture sensors and evapotranspiration data.

- Demonstration of water-holding capacity in various soil textures, such as sand, silt and clay.

Registration is required for the workshop, and the cost is $35. Payment and registration can be completed online at the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services website, http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu/index.cfm and by entering the "Vineyard Irrigation Workshop" in the Keyword field.

"We're also asking that attendees check to ensure they are registering for the correct workshop location and date," Pontasch said.

Pontasch added that attendees should dress according to their local weather conditions as most workshop activity will take place outdoors.