Practical tips for water efficiency in vineyards will be the focus of a Tuesday morning workshop in Paso Robles organized by the Central Coast Vineyard Team.

“We’ve had a lot of dry years,” said Kris Beal, the nonprofit’s executive director. “The less it rains, that impacts our irrigation management.”

Larry Bettiga, viticulture farm adviser for Monterey County, will give a “classroom-style talk” and vineyard demonstrations at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, 6169 Airport Road. Planned for 9 to 11 a.m., the workshop is free to members and $20 for others.

Bettiga will discuss devices that measure soil moisture and the level of stress on a vine. Afterward, growers using the techniques can address specific questions in the peer-to-peer learning style that is characteristic of the Vineyard Team.

The group promotes agricultural practices that better protect human and natural resources. A model for similar organizations nationwide, it also developed the Sustainability in Practice certification.

Tuesday’s workshop is the last in a three-part Water Use Efficiency Series the group has held this spring in Paso Robles. Beal said about 65 individuals representing about 20,000 acres of vineyards attended the first two meetings.

Using less water saves a vineyard money, reduces the drain on public resources and can improve the quality of wine grapes. In that way, they are different from table grapes or other crops that use a maximum amount of water to promote larger or juicier produce.

“Grapes are one of the few crops that are purposefully under-irrigated,” Beal added. “The efficient use of water by everyone is something that people should be paying attention to.”

25th anniversary An Afternoon of Epicurean Delights celebrates its 25th anniversary June 3.

More than 30 wineries and breweries will offer samples, with more than 20 restaurants serving tastes, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Chapman House in Shell Beach. Tickets are $100 for the event, which benefits the Community Action Partnership of the San Luis Obispo County Health & Prevention Division. Through community-based organizations, the partnership fights poverty and empowers individuals and families.

For details or tickets, call 544-2498.

New winemaker

Vina Robles has appointed Kevin Willenborg winemaker for the Paso Robles label.

With nearly three decades of winemaking experience, Willenborg has worked in regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Sonoma and British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Most recently, he was associate winemaker at Rubincon Estate in Rutherford.

Founded in 1996, Vina Robles is owned by Swiss entrepreneur Hans Nef.

According to the winery, its previous winemaker, Nick de Luca, moved to the Santa Ynez Valley for family reasons.

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