Winemaking venture initiated by former UCCE advisor

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Former Fresno County UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, Lowell Zelinski, and his wife are launching a new luxury winemaking course in Paso Robles to operate in conjunction with their agricultural management business, according to a story in the Santa Maria Times.

The Zelinskis began working with Central Coast vineyards in 2003; a few years later they began making wine from vines they were managing, a process documented by Becky Zelinski, an aspiring photographer.

Their friends were envious, the newspaper reported. "The Zelinskis then wondered if their friends’ interest could translate into a do-it-yourself winemaking business," wrote reporter Laurie Jervis.

In 2008, 14 friends and friends of friends spent a weekend in a cabernet sauvignon vineyard, picking and de-stemming the grapes by hand.

In 2009, the couple offered three weekend sessions on three different varietals. The weekends included meals prepared by a local chef to complement the varietal under study.

“These are the vineyards that we have relationships with all year," Mrs. Zelinski was quoted in the paper. "Many of the people (involved in those vineyards) are excited about our concept and want to help."

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