Learn wine tasting skills during July 27 ‘Sip and Swirl’ at Rusty Tractor Vineyards
July 20, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- UADA professor and wine expert teaches wine tasting skills
- Purchase tickets online
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A wine researcher for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will break down how to taste wine like an expert at “Sip and Swirl: Wine Sensory 101,” set for July 27 at Rusty Tractor Vineyards in Little Rock.
Renee Threlfall, associate professor of enology and viticulture, will be leading the class.
“People often imagine there’s some elusive secret to truly understanding wine quality,” she said. “At this event, we’ll demystify the process and walk you through the essentials — how to judge a wine by its appearance, its aroma and its taste.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the hourlong session begins at 7 p.m., followed by a mix-and-mingle and Q&A from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $35 per person, and participants may purchase tickets online. The winery is located at 10 Rusty Tractor Lane in Little Rock.
The cost includes a glass of a featured Rusty Tractor wine and light appetizers, as well as tasting a wine produced in Arkansas and made from Division of Agriculture-bred Enchantment grapes. There will also be an opportunity to win a bottle of Rusty Tractor wine.
“This session is meant to be the first step toward building an ‘ArkanSomm’ program starting in 2027 for enthusiasts who want to achieve a fuller appreciation of wine and support our Arkansas grape and wine industry,” Threlfall said.
The Division of Agriculture will host a grape field day the next day, July 28, from 1-6 p.m., also at Rusty Tractor Vineyards. The event, co-hosted with the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers, will feature research updates from the Division of Agriculture, educational sessions on production, budgeting and marketing practices, and a tour of Rusty Tractor Vineyards. Participants must register for the field day online by July 21.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Renee Threlfall at 479-575-4677 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
Nkordsme@uada.edu