# National Grape Research Alliance

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Collaborative Grape & Wine Research

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## Posts

- [Pressroom](https://graperesearch.org/pressroom/)
- [Long Shadow](https://graperesearch.org/2026/09/30/long-shadow/): September 2026 With the autumnal equinox this month, we crossed the day-night rubicon. For that one day—Sept. 22—our daylight hours roughly equaled nighttime. Now, we’ll continue losing daylight every day until we arrive at the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year. The Farmers’ Almanac has a chart showing just how
- [Caution: AI Inside](https://graperesearch.org/2026/08/29/caution-ai-inside/): August 2026 People often ask me if I use AI to put together NGRA’s monthly newsletter. The answer is no. To the degree that it’s possible to produce a digital product manually, that’s how it’s done. The newsletter is the result of all the grape-research-related things I’ve seen, read or experienced throughout the preceding month.
- [Waste Not](https://graperesearch.org/2026/07/29/waste-not/): July 2026 Reading an article about the historic wildfires burning in France and Spain this last week of July, I thought this excerpt from an interview with a Bordeaux vintner perfectly summed up the state of the global wine (and grape) industry: “ ‘For the wine industry, it’s one thing on top of the other,”
- [A Five-Alarm Fire](https://graperesearch.org/2026/06/29/a-five-alarm-fire/): See our official comments, posted to the Federal Register on July 11, 2026 June 2026 There’s a five-alarm fire smoldering in the U.S. Federal Register. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeks to overhaul the rules whereby federal grants for scientific research are given. Among the changes, the proposed rule requires a
- [Where the Magic Happens](https://graperesearch.org/2026/05/29/where-the-magic-happens/): May 2026 For me, May began in the vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, which straddles the Washington-Oregon state line and the winding Walla Walla River. With sweeping blue skies, typical gusty winds and views for days, the picture-perfect AVA was a beautiful backdrop for the U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit. The event kicked off with
- [NGRA Uniquely Supports Industry Extension & Outreach at Biennial Leadership Conference](https://graperesearch.org/2026/05/19/ngra-uniquely-supports-industry-extension-outreach-at-biennial-leadership-conference/): Convening Extension Leaders to Advance Research, Innovation and Industry Resilience SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 19, 2026) - The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) convened viticulture and enology extension and outreach professionals from across the country at the 2026 National Viticulture and Enology Extension Leadership Community (NVEELC) Conference, April 20-22 in San Antonio, Texas. It was the
- [National Treasure](https://graperesearch.org/2026/04/28/national-treasure/): April 2026 It was Tuesday morning, April 21, and the 36 extension and outreach professionals participating in the National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC) were boarding the bus for an industry tour of vineyards and wineries in the Texas Hill Country. As we pulled away from our hotel on the San Antonio Riverwalk,
- [Turn the Page](https://graperesearch.org/2026/03/30/turn-the-page/): Published in the March 2026 issue of the NGRA newsletter As you’re well aware, 2025 was a tough year. For reasons I don’t need to recount, last year the American grape and wine industry faced its stiffest and most varied headwinds perhaps in history. Businesses sold or closed, downsized, consolidated and searched for new efficiencies.
- [National Grape Research Alliance Launches 2026 National Research and Funding Strategy](https://graperesearch.org/2026/03/28/national-grape-research-alliance-launches-2026-national-research-and-funding-strategy/): NGRA’s new sustained development model, three major research initiatives, and robust extension leadership strengthen U.S. grape production nationwide. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—March 30, 2026—At its First-of-Year Board Meeting on January 26, 2026, the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) launched its 2026 strategic roadmap, expanding its funding model and advancing new research initiatives to strengthen U.S. grape production
- [Leaders Show Up](https://graperesearch.org/2026/02/27/leaders-show-up/): Leadership isn’t always easy. Like at most nonprofit organizations, leaders within the National Grape Research Alliance who serve as Officers and Directors of our Board take on important responsibilities. They help to ensure the organization operates smoothly, has clear strategic direction and successfully delivers on our grape research mission. And they set aside their individual
- [Science Can Save Us.](https://graperesearch.org/2026/01/27/science-can-save-us/): The last week of January typically means the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, as it did this year. Walking through the massive Exhibit Hall, it’s easy to see the results of research and development in the mammoth equipment and sophisticated services on display. But that’s probably not the lens most folks are looking
- [Honoring Mom](https://graperesearch.org/2025/12/24/honoring-mom/): When I was a kid, wishing for Friday or summer break or the Christmas holidays, my mom would warn me not to "wish my life away." As I get older, I see the value in appreciating what's so before rushing on to what's next. So, rather than greet the end of this challenging year with
- [Give to Grape Research](https://graperesearch.org/2025/11/18/give-to-grape-research/): This Giving Tuesday, Give to Grape Research National Grape Research Alliance Invites Holiday Donors to Help Sustain the Grape and Wine Industry through Science SACRAMENTO, CA, November 19, 2025 — For many people, charitable giving is a cherished holiday tradition. The national Giving Tuesday campaign, celebrated on December 2 this year, mobilizes the power of
- [ASEV-NGRA Vineyard Nutrition Symposium Takes Place in Boise This June](https://graperesearch.org/2025/11/18/asev-ngra-vineyard-nutrition-symposium-takes-place-in-boise-this-june/): From California to Idaho: ASEV Brings the Science of Vineyard Nutrition to a New Frontier DAVIS, Calif., November 17, 2025 — Bringing together vineyard researchers, enologists, and growers from across the nation, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), in association with the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA), will host the Vineyard Nutrition Symposium in Boise, Idaho,
- [Real People (With Big Brains)](https://graperesearch.org/2025/10/29/real-people-with-big-brains/): One year ago, Mario Pezzotti, an agricultural geneticist and founder of an Italian biotech company called EdiVite and professor at the University of Verona, planted the world’s (or at least Europe’s) first known gene-edited grapevines, Chardonnay in this case, not in a growth chamber or greenhouse or even screenhouse, but in a vineyard outside. Mario
- [Grapevine Genetics: The Final Frontier](https://graperesearch.org/2025/09/19/grapevine-genetics-the-final-frontier/): September is the best time to enjoy the majestic beauty of our vineyards. Regardless of your preference—wine, raisin, table or juice grapes—Mother Nature has provided a variety of berry shapes, sizes, colors, aromas and flavors to enjoy. The diversity of grape varieties results from the differences in their genetic code. Some of those differences evolved
- [Mothballing: Considerations When Taking Vineyards Out of Production](https://graperesearch.org/2025/08/22/mothballing-considerations-when-taking-vineyards-out-of-production/): Cristopher C. Chen, Ph.D., Cooperative Extension, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Hopland Research and Extension Center, CA In 2024, the CDFA Grape Crush Report provided data that supports what winegrape growers are experiencing; tonnage of winegrapes crushed in California was down by approximately 21% from 2023 and approximately 20% when compared
- [Future Focus](https://graperesearch.org/2025/08/23/future-focus/): When WineAmerica’s Jim Trezise, a longtime NGRA Board member, invited me to write a “Future Focus” feature for his weekly WineAmerica Perspectives e-newsletter on August 22, I knew immediately what I’d write about: grape genetics. It’s not a topic that most in the grape and wine industry would say applies to them or their business—at
- [The Pizza Test](https://graperesearch.org/2025/07/29/the-pizza-test/): Research takes time. And really big, complex research projects require teams of people, collaborating, advising and managing the work to accomplish game-changing results, typically within four or five years. That’s a long time to work together, managing millions of dollars and attempting to solve priority problems with people you may not know very well—if at
- [Safeguarding US Vines and Wines from Wildfire Smoke](https://graperesearch.org/2025/07/29/safeguarding-us-vines-and-wines-from-wildfire-smoke/): By Arran Rumbaugh, USDA Agricultural Research Service As the severity and frequency of wildfires increase globally, the grape and wine industry faces the risk of smoke exposure in its vineyards. Researchers across grape-growing regions are dedicated to elucidating the complex impacts of smoke exposure on grapevine physiology, grape chemistry and wine quality. While it is
- [It's Not All Bad](https://graperesearch.org/2025/06/27/its-not-all-bad/): June 2025 Earlier this month, NGRA Board member and Lodi Winegrape Commission Research & Education Director Stephanie Bolton wrote a blog post for the Commision’s website titled, “Five Pieces of Good News in the Research World.” In it, she celebrates research-related news in and around the Lodi AVA, including the highly anticipated, forthcoming hiring of
- [Meeting the Moment](https://graperesearch.org/2025/05/29/meeting-the-moment/): With “national” being the operative word, members of the National Grape Research Alliance and I found ourselves in locations across the country this month, all in the pursuit of driving grape research. In early May, I attended the Congressional Fly-In put on by WineAmerica, a founding NGRA member-organization. The event annually gathers wine industry members
- [Getting Smarter](https://graperesearch.org/2025/04/29/getting-smarter/): A year or so ago, I was talking with a colleague who’s an executive at a premium wine brand that had downsized its operations. He was in charge of making the cuts. He felt for the people who’d been separated from the company and acknowledged the pain of having to find another job. And he
- [Assets and Allies](https://graperesearch.org/2025/03/28/assets-and-allies/): Amid all that’s been going on in the world that impacts grape research, a significant bright spot stands out: the committed leadership of our industry-led nonprofit organization. The election of NGRA Board Directors and officers in late January is an annual reminder of our strongest assets and biggest allies. NGRA’s 30-member Board of Directors is
- [Hearts Grown Fonder](https://graperesearch.org/2025/02/27/hearts-grown-fonder/): If February is the month for affairs of the heart, February 2025 was a blowout. In the span of 28 short days, the grape and wine industry went on a heartrending rollercoaster ride with our grape-research colleagues at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). At least seven of them, all within their three-year probationary period,
- [Federal Funding Freezes and Staff Cuts Make Untold Impact on Grape Research](https://graperesearch.org/2025/02/19/federal-funding-freezes-and-staff-cuts-make-untold-impact-on-grape-research/): For immediate release SACRAMENTO, CA, February 20, 2025 – One week after news of the firing of staff scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) began to unfold across the country, the broad arc of the devastating impact of federal cost-cutting measures on the grape and wine industry has begun to take shape. For
- [Emily Hodson Wins 2025 Rich Smith Award](https://graperesearch.org/2025/01/29/6148/): 2025 Rich Smith Award of Excellence Presented to Emily Hodson of Virginia SACRAMENTO, CA, January 29, 2025 —The ninth annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented today to Emily Hodson, the winemaker at Veritas Vineyards and Winery, a co-owner of Flying Fox Vineyards and
- [Meet Us at Unified!](https://graperesearch.org/2024/11/27/meet-us-at-unified/): Come meet NGRA staff and stakeholders at our exhibitor booth (no. 409) at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium again this year! The show will take place January 28-30, 2025, in Sacramento, CA. Exhibits will be open on Day 2 and 3, and our booth will be on the show floor near the main entrance.
- [Kidding Around with Science](https://graperesearch.org/2024/12/27/kidding-around-with-science/): Wait, what?! A comic strip in the NGRA newsletter? Yes, it’s a first. And hopefully not the last! NGRA has supported the VitisGen project since it first started exploring grape breeding for powdery mildew resistance in 2011. Now in its unprecedented third round of funding from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), the team
- [Nominate a Leader for the 2025 Rich Smith Award](https://graperesearch.org/2024/09/16/nominate-a-leader-for-the-2025-rich-smith-award/): Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Santa Lucia Highlands wine region. He was an ardent family man and a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. He was a highly effective, collegial and tireless leader whose significant and selfless contributions of time, energy and
- [The Shadow of the Farmer](https://graperesearch.org/2024/11/27/shadow-of-the-farmer/): There is a Japanese proverb that goes something like, “the shadow of the farmer is the best fertilizer.” Of all the things I’ve heard and learned about grapegrowing over the last nearly 20 years, that phrase is probably the most powerful. It signifies the value of showing up, being present, paying attention and focusing on the
- ['A Destroyer of Worlds'](https://graperesearch.org/2024/10/28/destroyer-of-worlds/): Thematically appropriate for the spooky season, four NGRA members and I spent the beginning of October up close and personal with one of the grape and wine industry’s biggest bogeymen: the spotted lanternfly. The five us spent two packed days, October 2-3, 2024, on an SLF Field Trip in Berks County, PA, creeped out and
- [Wild Things](https://graperesearch.org/2024/09/28/wild-things/): In the last couple of months, a number of articles cropped up related to climate change and what it means for us as farmers and eaters. It’s as if, as more extreme and erratic weather swirls around us, the conversation is intensifying about how we might have to change, too. In July, climate observer David
- [EPA Considers Delisting Mancozeb for Use in Grape](https://graperesearch.org/2024/08/23/epa-considers-delisting-mancozeb-for-use-in-grape/): By Dr. Katie Gold, Cornell Grape Pathology The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to cancel the use of mancozeb, a multi-site fungicide commonly used to control Phomopsis, downy mildew and black rot, in grape due to potential post-application worker exposure hazards. The public comment period on this proposed interim registration review decision (PID)
- [Community Matters](https://graperesearch.org/2024/08/28/community-matters/): I did a radio interview with the Pacific Northwest Ag Network recently, where I talked about NGRA’s community-building ethic. I told host Glenn Vaagen that a vital part of our research mission is to “build a sense of community around people who believe in science as a means of advancing the industry.” Among the joys
- [Influencers and Artists](https://graperesearch.org/2024/07/30/4980/): This has been the Summer of Grape Research, with the annual academic conferences of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and ASEV-Eastern Section happening just a few weeks apart in late June and early July, respectively. These gatherings are terrific yearly opportunities to meet new colleagues and connect with old friends, learn what
- [Goodbye, Bob Gallo](https://graperesearch.org/2024/06/28/goodbye-bob-gallo/): Bob Gallo passed away on June 22, 2024, at the age of 89. A scion of the Gallo family business, the largest winery on the planet, he was an avid proponent of advancing the grape and wine industry through science. I’m proud to say that NGRA is a small part of his legacy. Bob was
- [Sponsor the NGRA Newsletter!](https://graperesearch.org/2024/01/27/sponsor-the-ngra-newsletter/): New this year, the National Grape Research Alliance is offering the opportunity to sponsor our monthly NGRA newsletter, the only national industry publication to focus exclusively on grape research. Our newsletter reaches a national audience of 8,000 subscribers (as of June 2024) innovative, first-adopter growers as well as university scientists and federal administrators each month,
- [A Field Trip to Wolfskill](https://graperesearch.org/2024/05/29/a-field-trip-to-wolfskill/): May began with NGRA’s Mid-Year Board Meeting in Winters, CA. The location was chosen so that Board members could visit the Wolfskill Germplasm Repository there—many for the first time. UC Davis owns the land where the repository lives: the Wolfskill Experimental Orchards. Named for the family that owned and deeded it to the university, the
- [Citizen Scientists 'Scrape for the Grape' in Virginia](https://graperesearch.org/2024/04/19/scrape-for-the-grape-eliminates-a-million-spotted-lanternflies/): Citizen Science to the Rescue! Scrape for the Grape Eliminates Millions of Spotted Lanternflies in Virginia On Saturday, April 6, 2024, nearly 400 Loudoun County, VA, residents rose up in defense of their beloved vineyards and wineries to “Scrape for the Grape.” This innovative and fun citizen science initiative unleashed volunteers armed with credit-card-sized Scrape
- [Your Phenotype Is Showing](https://graperesearch.org/2024/04/26/your-phenotype-is-showing/): In my seven years (this month) with NGRA, I’ve found that few topics can stop a conversation quicker than genetics. Start talking to people about the ins and outs of marker-assisted grape breeding and watch the curtain fall across their attention span as they mentally check out. But genetic research is critical to the sustainability
- [’Tis the ‘Season’](https://graperesearch.org/2024/03/28/tis-the-season/): This column appeared in the March 2024 NGRA newsletter. Having welcomed spring this month, I’m reminded of a conversation I had a few years ago involving the word “season.” I was talking with a computer engineer about a sensor that had emerged from an NGRA-initiated research project. The developers were planning field trials in five
- [Snag Some Gently Used Automation Equipment](https://graperesearch.org/2024/03/25/snag-some-gently-used-automation-equipment/): Are you an extension agent, germplasm curator or viticulturist looking to automate vineyard trial plots? Or a forward-thinking farmer seeking to dip a toe in or upgrade your mechanization game? Scheid Family Wines is offering three V-Mech units designed for mechanized pre-pruning and/or shoot thinning, each located at their vineyard in Greenfield, CA. Get the
- [For the Love of Science](https://graperesearch.org/2024/02/29/for-the-love-of-science/): February, the month of love, romance or, as some may say, chemistry. Mostly, we view the chemical compounds that attract us to potential mates as positive. For the poor vine mealybug, their sex pheromone may be their undoing. As explained in the Research Focus article in our February newsletter, two USDA-ARS scientists—Jacob Corcoran and Walt
- [Nick Dokoozlian Honored with Rich Smith Award](https://graperesearch.org/2024/01/24/rich-smith-award-nick-dokoozlian/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 25, 2024 – The eighth annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented yesterday to Dr. Nick Dokoozlian, Vice President of Winegrowing Research at E. & J. Gallo Winery and Research Chair of the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA). The prestigious award
- [A Big Quiet Moment](https://graperesearch.org/2024/01/29/a-big-quiet-moment/): Despite the frigid temperatures in some parts of the country, January came in hot for NGRA. So much happened this month of 2024! From the annual meeting of a flagship NGRA research project, VitisGen3, to our First-of-Year Board meeting, from our first-ever booth at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (booth graphics sponsored by Wonderful
- [Meet Us in Sacramento!](https://graperesearch.org/2023/12/27/meet-us-in-sacramento/): For the first time ever, NGRA will have an exhibitor booth at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium! The auspicious 30th anniversary of the show will take place January 23-25, 2024, in Sacramento, CA, where NGRA is based. The exhibits will be open on Day 2 and 3 of the show, and our booth (A2152)
- [Remembering Deb Golino](https://graperesearch.org/2023/12/28/remembering-deb-golino/): Deborah Golino, the Director of UC Davis’ Foundation Plant Services (FPS) until her retirement in 2021, passed away on December 23, 2023. She was 70. Deborah was a long-time NGRA Board member. Later, she would become one of our first three Science Advisory Council members, appointed in 2020. She was ever an ally, advisor and
- [The Clock Is Ticking: The Need for Precision Grape Breeding](https://graperesearch.org/2023/12/19/the-clock-is-ticking-the-need-for-precision-grape-breeding/): By Margaret Leigh Worthington On June 7, 2023, Margaret Leigh Worthington, Associate Professor of Horticulture and Director of the Fruit Breeding Program at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, testified at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics and Research on the Farm Bill’s Horticulture Title,
- [Putting the ARS in Grape Research](https://graperesearch.org/2023/11/29/putting-the-ars-in-grape-research/): One of the most impactful ways the National Grape Research Alliance serves the research needs of the grape and wine industry is through our close working relationship with the USDA—in particular, its Agricultural Research Service. ARS is the Department’s in-house (or intramural) research arm.* The agency employs 2,000 scientists and has research units across the
- [The 2024 Rich Smith Award of Excellence](https://graperesearch.org/2023/09/07/nominations-open-for-rich-smith-award-of-excellence/): Nominations closed October 27, 2023 Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. He was a highly effective, collegial and tireless leader whose significant and selfless contributions
- [Witch Fingers and Moon Drops](https://graperesearch.org/2023/10/31/witch-fingers-and-moon-drops/): Today is Halloween, and yes, I have some Witch Fingers in my fridge. Well, technically, they're Moon Drops. I'm talking about grapes, of course. These spooky-themed table grapes have long, tubular, seedless berries with snappy skin and a flavor some compare to Welch’s grape concentrate. Their skins may be dark red (Witch Fingers, which taper
- [100 Years](https://graperesearch.org/2023/09/28/100-years/): In one of the articles cited in this month's NGRA Update, the one with the clever title, “Changing Old Viticulture for All the Right Rieslings,” this paragraph caught my eye: In 2011, scientists and industry experts [in France] launched LACCAVE, a project aimed at examining the future of French winemaking. Sticking to business as usual,
- [USDA-ARS Celebrates 100 Years of Grape Breeding](https://graperesearch.org/2023/09/28/usda-ars-celebrates-100-years-of-grape-breeding/): On September 11, 2023, at the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center (SJVASC) in Parlier, CA, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the USDA-ARS Grape Breeding Program. Its century of cooperative grape breeding research has impacted the way the world grows, cultivates and consumes grapes—and changed the very grapes themselves. This
- [Unquestioned Answers](https://graperesearch.org/2023/08/29/unquestioned-answers/): At the GiESCO (Group of International Experts for Cooperation on Vitivinicultural Systems) Conference, held July 17-22 in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University’s Terry Bates gave a thorough and thoughtful tribute to legendary Cornell viticulture professor Nelson Shaulis. Dr. Shaulis’ legacy, Terry said, includes teachings and techniques for vine size management (he invented the Geneva Double Curtain
- [Research Priorities Refresh: A Labor of Love](https://graperesearch.org/2023/07/28/research-priorities-refresh/): Continuing from my report on the Midyear Board Meetingon June 26, 2023, in Napa, I’m turning the lens to the research focus of the NGRA Midyear Board meeting on June 26. Our robust agenda included in-depth reports on ongoing and prospective new research, and most importantly, included an exciting update of our industry research priorities
- [Building Blocks](https://graperesearch.org/2023/07/28/building-blocks/): On June 26, 2023, NGRA held our Midyear Board Meeting in Napa, CA. We had a packed research agenda, hearing about priority research we support and ratifying new research priorities for the industry at large. (See more here.) But the headline for my column this month is about the new members, new Board directors, and
- [Echoing Extremes](https://graperesearch.org/2023/06/29/echoing-extremes/): Earlier this month, on June 6-7, I was back in Washington, DC, this time for a meeting of the USDA’s National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. The Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture and Congressional ag committees on issues relevant to research and the three Es in its title. My fellow
- [Show up, Stand up, Speak up](https://graperesearch.org/2023/05/26/showing-up/): Earlier this month, May 9-10, 2023, I attended the WineAmerica National Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. The event was packed with more than 70 “Hill visits” with Congressional leaders, including for the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, skillfully arranged for conference attendees by WineAmerica Vice President Michael Kaiser. It was an
- [Cornell—and Grapes—Chosen for Specialty Crop Focus for NASA Acres](https://graperesearch.org/2023/05/26/cornell-and-grapes-chosen-for-specialty-crop-focus-for-nasa-acres/): By Mike Hibbard for Cornell AgriTech For more than 50 years, NASA and partner agencies have used satellite imagery to map agriculture worldwide with an eye toward global supply and food security. That technology, however, has largely focused on commodity and row crops. But with the recent launch of a new consortium, dubbed NASA Acres, the
- [Spring Cleaning](https://graperesearch.org/2023/04/24/spring-cleaning/): Think back to 2017. Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States. People traveled to viewing sites in the “path of totality” to witness the first total solar eclipse to cross the continent since 1918. Wildfires raged around the world, including in the western U.S. and Canada. Hurricanes ravaged Texas, Florida and the Caribbean.
- [The Fruit of Research](https://graperesearch.org/2023/03/29/the-fruit-of-research/): I’ve been a member of the National Grape Research Alliance for five years, and am honored to now serve as the Board Chairwoman for an organization that personally means so much to me. Why do I believe in the importance of research as a mechanism to support the grape and wine industry? Because my family
- [Dialing in Water Stress Indicators to Better Reflect Holistic Stress Responses](https://graperesearch.org/2023/03/29/dialing-in-water-stress-indicators-to-better-reflect-holistic-stress-responses/): By Abby Hammermeister Even as more and better technologies emerge to help simplify water management, knowing when, where and how much to irrigate vineyards is a complex question. Commonly, farmers rely on point measures like leaf water potential to help guide management decisions. But it’s not that simple. These measures are destructive and time- and
- [Fruit at First Leaf](https://graperesearch.org/2023/02/27/4178/): By Kyle Freedman, Amanda Lewis, Cristian Collado, Ricardo Hernández and Mark Hoffmann Researchers at North Carolina State University are working on changing a fundamental aspect of grape growing: that new vines require at least two years to produce usable fruit. Their project, called Precise Indoor Vine Conditioning (PIVC), conducted in collaboration with lighting partner Current,
- [Succeeding at Succession](https://graperesearch.org/2023/02/27/succeeding-at-succession/): The main event for NGRA’s Annual Meeting of the Members at the beginning of each year is our elections. Although our term of office for officers is one year, we’ve been fortunate to have low turnover among our leadership. So, officer elections have become pretty routine for NGRA for the last few years. Then 2023
- [NGRA Elects 2023 Officer and Board Directors](https://graperesearch.org/2023/02/02/ngra-elects-2023-officer-and-board-directors/): Jessica Youngblood Is First Midwest Grape Grower to Serve as Board Chair SACRAMENTO, CA, February 6, 2023 — At the Annual Meeting of the Members on January 23, 2023, the members of the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) elected and/or re-elected officers and Board Directors for the organization. The election installed a leadership team that’s
- [Not Groundhog Day](https://graperesearch.org/2023/01/30/not-groundhog-day/): Obviously, I’m a fan of all grape research. I enjoy attending academic conferences and listening to scientific talks, reading abstracts and sifting through industry media for the science that breaks through to the news. But what really makes my day is learning about research that takes the unexpected turn, when scientists come at a problem
- [Red Blotch: An Old Vector and New Inoculum Confirmed](https://graperesearch.org/2023/01/27/red-blotch-an-old-vector-and-new-inoculum-confirmed/): By Marc Fuchs, Cornell University Red blotch disease was described almost 15 years ago in California as a new threat to the grape and wine industries. Caused by grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), the disease lowers vine vigor and yield, reduces fruit quality and degrades wine composition, resulting in reported losses of up to $170,000
- [2023 Rich Smith Award of Excellence Presented to Marty Clubb](https://graperesearch.org/2023/01/25/2023-rich-smith-award-of-excellence-presented-to-marty-clubb/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 25, 2023 – The seventh annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented today to Marty Clubb, co-owner and managing winemaker of L’Ecole No 41, a premium winery in Walla Walla, Washington, and a major contributor to the Washington and American wine
- [Our North Star](https://graperesearch.org/2022/12/28/our-north-star/): In 2022, NGRA engaged a strategic planning professional, Randy Harrington of Strategic Arts & Sciences, to lead us through a process of planning for the next three to five years of growth and evolution—to NGRA 2.0, as one Board member put it. But in working on our strategic plan and revisiting the data that informed
- [Nominations Now Open for the 2023 Rich Smith Award](https://graperesearch.org/2022/09/23/nominations-now-open-for-the-2023-rich-smith-award/): Nominations Due November 16, 2022 Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. He was a highly effective, collegial and tireless leader whose significant and selfless contributions of
- [Saving Wild Vitis: The Conservation of North American Native Grapes Workshop](https://graperesearch.org/2022/12/27/saving-wild-vitis/): By the North American Grapevine Conservation Working Group Genetic variation provides the foundation for plant breeding. And in viticulture, the diversity in native North American Vitis species is critical for generating resilient grapevines. For example, numerous cold-hardy North American Vitis species have been used to generate the hybrid “French-American” scions commonly cultivated in midwestern and
- [On Location, in Real Time](https://graperesearch.org/2022/11/29/on-location-in-real-time/): November brought the most intensive travel schedule I've attempted since before the pandemic. Across three weeks and three states (Texas, Arkansas and California), I attended three conferences; hosted NGRA's Year-End Board meeting and dinner; toured beautiful (and tasty) Arkansas Wine Country and sampled muscadine grapes and wine, both for the first time. Here are some
- [What's Really Scary...](https://graperesearch.org/2022/10/29/whats-really-scary/): Happy Halloween! This evening will bring kids to your door seeking tricks or treats. Mostly, their costumes will reflect cultural themes, like characters from movies or comics. And often, those characters and costumes have some unfortunate tie to science. Much to the chagrin of those of who care about and support research, science is the
- [$10M SCRI Project Seeks to Defy Diseases](https://graperesearch.org/2022/10/12/10m-scri-project-seeks-to-defy-diseases/): A team of researchers received the first round of funding from a $10 million grant awarded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) to begin a multi-disciplinary, collaborative project focused on cultivating disease-resistant grapes that can be grown sustainably with reduced pesticide and fossil fuel use. The national, multi-institutional project
- [Economics Makes Cents](https://graperesearch.org/2022/09/29/economics-makes-cents/): Featured in the September 2022 NGRA Update With rampant inflation and looming recession, supply chain disruptions and stock market fluctuations making headlines every day, economics is having a moment. Just google the word “economy” and you’ll see what I mean. It’s so ubiquitous in today’s parlance, you might forget that economics is a science. I
- [Care About Research? Represent the Northwest Region on Our Board](https://graperesearch.org/2022/06/13/care-about-research-represent-the-northwest-on-our-board/): NGRA Seeks a Northwest Regional Board Representative Does research matter to you? Does science drive your business and decisions? Is innovation the key to advancing the grape and wine industry? Step up to represent the Northwest Region on the Board of Directors of the National Grape Research Alliance as a grower or producer in Alaska,
- [Announcing the NGRA Fellowship and Introducing Our 2022 Fellow](https://graperesearch.org/2022/08/08/announcing-the-ngra-fellowship-and-our-2022-fellow/): Abby Hammermeister of UC Davis Wins Three-Year Award with Research Focusing on Understanding Grapevine Stress Response to Heat and Drought Fellowship to Seed Long-Lasting Relationships with Early-Career Grape Scientists August 8, 2022 (Sacramento, CA) – In Spring 2022, the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) announced the NGRA Fellowship, offering $30,000 per year for up to
- [Finetuning the Grapevine Stress-Response Picture for Irrigation](https://graperesearch.org/2022/07/29/finetuning-the-grapevine-stress-response-picture-for-irrigation/): By Abby Hammermeister, 2022 NGRA Fellow Water scarcity already threatens sustainable agriculture in arid regions of the western U.S., and changing climatic conditions will make matters worse. Reduced water availability forces growers to employ conservation techniques like deficit irrigation. This practice induces water stress in plants that decreases growth and yield, but is often used
- [Lucky 13](https://graperesearch.org/2022/07/29/lucky-13/): Introducing Our Inaugural NGRA Fellow I’m superstitious. Black cats, ladders, dropped dishtowels, the whole nine yards. I realize I probably shouldn’t admit this to an audience of science-minded people, but it’s relevant here—stick with me. Another thing I probably shouldn’t admit is, when we announced our new NGRA Fellowship, we weren’t sure what kind of
- [Breakthrough! Sulfur-Containing Compounds Are Accurate Markers for Smoke Taint](https://graperesearch.org/2022/06/29/breakthrough-sulfur-containing-compounds-are-accurate-markers-for-smoke-taint/): For years, a class of compounds known as volatile phenols have been used as the sole markers for smoke taint in wine and grapes. But their efficacy wasn’t consistent. Often, wines with high levels of volatile phenols didn’t taste ashy or smoky, while wines with low levels did. With West Coast winemakers in urgent need
- [Conference Nirvana](https://graperesearch.org/2022/06/29/conference-nirvana/): June may bring the start of summer and the longest day of the year, but its highlight this year was the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) National Conference and Climate Change Symposium. The two-part event was set in San Diego—a picture-postcard for the season. But despite what you might be thinking (boondoggle!), it
- [Paying It Forward](https://graperesearch.org/2022/05/30/paying-it-forward/): Earlier this month, I attended the retirement seminar for the legendary Dr. Andy Walker, Professor Emeritus in the Viticulture and Enology Department at UC Davis. Although technically known as an accomplished grape and rootstock breeder, hearing his former students speak about him made me think that perhaps those nematode-resistant rootstocks and Pierce’s Disease-resistant grape varieties
- [Happy Accidents](https://graperesearch.org/2022/04/26/happy-accidents/): Who doesn't love a happy ending...especially when, at the beginning of the story, things are going all wrong? One of my favorite such stories involves cheese. Years ago, when I lived on Long Island, NY, I was tasting with cheesemaker Art Ludlow at his family’s artisanal Mecox Bay Dairy in Bridgehampton. As I gushed over
- [Time for Research](https://graperesearch.org/2022/03/31/time-for-research/): Time is a hot topic in March, when dark-weary Americans spring our clocks forward. The longer days yield more time for productivity, feeding our inclination to DO, to amass results in shorter spans. Four-day work-weeks, anyone? Some things, though, can’t be rushed. Research takes time. But some research calls for more than most. For example:
- [Maybe It's You...](https://graperesearch.org/2021/12/23/maybe-its-you/): As it does every December 21, this month brought the shortest, darkest day of the year. With the Omicron variant circulating, there’s a lot of uncertainty and anxiety out there. Around this Winter Solstice, it’s been easy to focus on the darkness. At NGRA’s End-of-Year Board Meeting, held via Zoom on November 18, 2021, we
- [Twenty-Twenty, Too](https://graperesearch.org/2022/01/30/twenty-twenty-too/): At the outset of 2021, I heard a quip I found as humorous as it was hopeful: that the new year would be pronounced “twenty-twenty won.” To me, it signaled that, as rotten as the previous year—the start of the pandemic—had been, we’d move forward collectively, maybe even return to relative normalcy. And yet… As
- [Rich Smith Award Presented to Tom Davenport](https://graperesearch.org/2022/01/26/rich-smith-award-presented-to-tom-davenport/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 26, 2022 – The sixth-annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented today to Thomas (Tom) Davenport, a retired executive from National Grape Cooperative who has been a leader in fostering and coordinating research on state and national levels. The prestigious award
- [A Slice of Heaven](https://graperesearch.org/2021/11/29/a-slice-of-heaven/): NGRA holds three Board meetings each year, and we plan all three a year in advance. Normally, the mid-year (June/July) and end-of-year (November) meetings take place in different grape-growing regions around the country, while our first-of-year (January) meeting is always held in Sacramento, CA, where NGRA is based, the week of the Unified Wine and
- [2022 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Nominations Open](https://graperesearch.org/2021/09/22/2022-rich-smith-distinguished-service-award-nominations-open/): 2022 Nominations Accepted through October 29, 2021 Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower and winery owner, and a respected colleague. Through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy
- [NGRA President Appointed to USDA Research Advisory Board](https://graperesearch.org/2021/11/04/ngra-president-appointed-to-usda-research-advisory-board/): Also Tapped as Advisor to Specialty Crop Committee SACRAMENTO, CA, November 5, 2021 — The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) is proud to announce that its President, Donnell Brown, is one of 14 appointees to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. As part of her
- [Request for Proposals: Strategic Plan, 2022-2027](https://graperesearch.org/2021/10/19/request-for-proposals-strategic-plan-2022-2027/): Issued October 18, 2021 Background The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, created in 2005 as an industry-led coalition to prioritize and address the research needs of the grape and wine industry. Thus, we represent the research needs for wine grapes, juice grapes, table grapes and raisins, nationwide. NGRA works collaboratively
- [Nutrient Management Survey Reveals Industry Practices](https://graperesearch.org/2021/10/26/nutrient-management-survey-reveals-industry-practices/): By Dr. Patty Skinkis, Oregon State University The NGRA-initiated High-Resolution Vineyard Nutrient Management project, led by Washington State University’s Markus Keller, received second-year SCRI funding this fall. Organized to develop both sensor-based tools to measure in-field grapevine nutrient status and regional nutrition guidelines, the research will help growers to manage vineyard nutrition using precision viticulture.
- [Don't Be a Stranger](https://graperesearch.org/2021/10/28/dont-be-a-stranger/): Yesterday, the USDA issued a press release, announcing the appointment of 14 people from across the agricultural landscape to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. All 14 were selected and appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Six members were re-appointed, and eight are new. I am one of
- [Remembering Jean-Mari Peltier](https://graperesearch.org/2021/09/29/remembering-jean-mari-peltier/): This time of year, the sponsoring organizations of the Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award meet with Claudia Smith and Jason Smith, wife and son of Rich Smith, to plan the annual award honoring his legacy. It’s always a welcome opportunity for us to recall a remarkable leader and his positive impact on our industry, and
- [A Cure for Pierce’s Disease](https://graperesearch.org/2021/09/23/a-cure-for-pierces-disease/): By Chelsea McCall, Texas A&M AgriLife Research A Texas A&M AgriLife Research study has led to the discovery of the first curative and preventive organic treatment against Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium that causes the deadly Pierce’s disease in grapevines. It’s considered the world’s first. The glassy-winged sharpshooter, the primary vector of Pierce’s disease, feeds on the sap
- [A Light in the Dark](https://graperesearch.org/2021/08/24/a-light-in-the-dark/): August 2021 As the start of the grape harvest—typically a time of celebration—August seems to have brought a shroud of darkness. The late summer sunshine has been overshadowed by devastating flooding, deadly wildfires and extreme heat. It can be hard to find any positivity. This month, a report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on
- [Looking for Love in 2021](https://graperesearch.org/2021/01/29/looking-for-love-in-2021/): January 2021 Many of us entered the new year with admittedly unrealistic expectations that 2021 would be better than 2020. Immediately! A month in, we're still waiting for the new year to deliver us from the old year we're ready to forget. Obviously, it'll take time for things to unwind. In the meantime, we'll keep
- [Youth Isn't Wasted On Some Young](https://graperesearch.org/2021/02/25/youth-isnt-wasted-on-some-young/): February 2021 When I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I was crazy about animals (and still am) and the idea of helping them appealed to me. That lasted until I was told I'd be in school until at least the age of 25--ancient!--if I wanted to be a doctor of veterinary medicine.
- [One Year On...](https://graperesearch.org/2021/03/31/one-year-on/): March 2021 As I sat down to write this March 2021 column, out of interest, I looked back at what I wrote in March 2020, when the global pandemic was declared. With the plucky title, “Better Luck Next Time,” I concluded my remarks with, “All I can hope is, when I write this column a
- [Time (And a Brood of Cicadas) Flies](https://graperesearch.org/2021/04/28/time-and-a-brood-of-cicadas-flies/): April 2021 A news story this month stopped me in my tracks. As reported by The New York Times, tens of billions of cicadas, called Brood X, is set to emerge any day now across the Eastern U.S. Aside from the biblical connotations of swarms of locusts, the thought is mind-boggling: these creatures went underground
- [NGRA, The Movie](https://graperesearch.org/2021/05/28/ngra-the-movie/): May 2021 I’ve always felt that starting a new job is like watching a foreign movie in subtitles. At first, you’re desperately focused on the words on the screen, uncomfortably aware that the action is flying by as you struggle to keep up. Then suddenly, somewhere along the way, it starts to gel. You’re not
- [Mid-Year Milestones](https://graperesearch.org/2021/07/29/mid-year-milestones/): July 2021 On June 28, 2021, NGRA’s Board of Directors held its Mid-Year Meeting, virtually of course. Even with an abbreviated agenda for Zoom, we manage to cover a lot of ground at our Board meetings, and this one was no exceptions. Here are highlights from our June meeting, focusing on what’s new and what
- [Climate Change (and a Team of Scientists) Revise the Winkler Index](https://graperesearch.org/2021/07/29/climate-change-and-a-team-of-scientists-revise-the-winkler-index/): A team of UC Davis researchers led by Beth Forrestel, assistant professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, is working to modernize the Winkler Index, which classifies the climate of wine growing regions and helps growers determine which grape varieties are best suited for a given area. The seminal original work by UC Davis professors
- [New-Scientist Engagement Series Installment No. 2: HEAT!](https://graperesearch.org/2021/06/23/new-scientist-engagement-series-installment-no-2-heat/): NGRA continues our New-Scientist Engagement Series with a lunchtime (Pacific Time) talk on Monday, July 26, 2021, with the timely theme of "HEAT!" These events are designed to introduce NGRA Board and Research Committee members (and any industry stakeholders who are interested in attending) to newer scientists (and/or newer work) supporting grape-related research programs and
- [Schedule of Our 2021 Meetings and Events](https://graperesearch.org/2021/04/28/2021-schedule-of-meetings/): Did you know that all NGRA meetings, including Board meetings, are open to the public? If you're interested in attending, let us know. Annual Meeting of the Members and First-of-Year Board Meeting 2021 Monday, January 25, 2021 | Zoom Preceding the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, January 26-29, 2021 (virtual event) NGRA New-Scientist Engagement Series
- [Precision Viticulture: Inputs or Outputs?](https://graperesearch.org/2021/06/29/precision-viticulture-inputs-or-outputs/): At the ASEV-NGRA Precision Viticulture Symposium, held virtually on June 21, 2021, two keynote presentations bookended the day. Rob Bramley, a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in Australia, opened the event with remarks on “Precision Viticulture and Beyond – Digital Approaches to Winegrowing.” (He noted that “Winegrowing, to
- [Learning the Language](https://graperesearch.org/2019/03/31/learning-the-language/): In a few days, on April 3, I will be celebrating my two-year anniversary with the National Grape Research Alliance. In my time with NGRA, a lot has changed—our name, most apparently. I’ve changed, too. As most NGRA stakeholders know, I don’t have a science background. My degrees are in psychology and English. I’ve worked
- [New-Scientist Engagement Series No. 1: Sensors, Pests and Diseases](https://graperesearch.org/2021/04/20/new-scientist-engagement-series-no-1-sensors-pests-and-diseases/): On May 3, NGRA is pleased to launch our new New-Scientist Engagement Series! (See details below.) These events are designed to introduce NGRA Board and Research Committee members (and any industry stakeholders who are interested in attending) to newer scientists (and/or newer work) supporting grape-related research programs and projects. The events will provide an opportunity
- [NGRA'S 2021 Officer and Board Elections](https://graperesearch.org/2021/01/28/officer-and-board-elections-for-2021/): At the Annual Meeting of the Members, held virtually on January 25, 2021, NGRA held its annual election of officers and Board directors. We are pleased to renew the terms of all four NGRA officers and five Board directors, and to install two new directors on our Board, as follows: Officers – Elected annually for
- [2021 Rich Smith Award Presented to Donnie Winchell](https://graperesearch.org/2021/01/19/2021-rich-smith-award-presented-to-donnie-winchell/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 20, 2021 — The fifth-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was conferred yesterday upon Donniella “Donnie” Winchell, Executive Director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association (OWPA). The award was given in a surprise presentation by the Smith Family, the National Grape Research
- [Red Blotch Research in 2020](https://graperesearch.org/2020/12/30/red-blotch-research-in-2020/): In 2020, a number of projects were initiated by teams of enterprising scientists seeking to help stop the scourge of grapevine red blotch virus, a significant and costly disease affecting Western vineyards that, so far, has eluded definitive answers regarding spread and management. Anita Oberholster, extension enologist at UC Davis is leading a project called,
- [A Blessing in Disguise?](https://graperesearch.org/2020/12/30/a-blessing-in-disguise/): One of the benefits of having a newsletter that goes out on the last day of every month is, it's one of the last things to drop into your inbox for the whole, entire year. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Or what can I repeat that should be reinforced? Or what
- [Zoom! Went the Strings of My Heart](https://graperesearch.org/2020/11/28/zoom-went-the-strings-of-my-heart/): The NGRA Board of Directors meets three times each year and last week, on November 19, we convened for the last time in 2020. As with all pandemic-era meetings of far-flung people, our Board members gathered virtually, via Zoom, across all continental U.S. time zones for a very productive meeting--signaling an exciting year ahead for
- [Grant Helps Growers Better Manage Nutrients ](https://graperesearch.org/2020/09/25/grant-helps-growers-better-manage-nutrients/): By Brandon Schrand WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Since the 1960s, American grape growers have followed a set of nutrient management guidelines that often entail more guesswork than precise strategies. An industry-driven project called "High-Resolution Vineyard Nutrient Management" seeks to change that. Led by Washington State University's Dr. Markus Keller, it was one
- [Farming Gone Haywire](https://graperesearch.org/2020/10/29/farming-gone-haywire/): It's the end of October. Daylight is waning, the temperature is descending and Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday. (Not to mention the presidential election two days later.) Change is upon us. But these normal cycles of life seem not so normal anymore. If you read grape and wine industry media regularly, you'll notice a
- [A Dark Harvest](https://graperesearch.org/2020/09/29/a-dark-harvest/): Harvest is usually a bustling, positive time of year, when the fruits of growers' labors are ripe and ready for the next phase of their journey, whether that's drying for raisin production, packing and storing for fresh consumption, or pressing for juice or wine. But from coast to coast, this year's harvest has had a
- [Sweet Seventeen](https://graperesearch.org/2020/08/27/sweet-seventeen/): On this day, August 28 (and the next) in 2003, the National Grape Research Alliance was born. The organization didn't have a name yet. It wasn't even an organization yet. It was just a two-day meeting of 20 wine industry representatives and academics from UC Davis, concerned about what was then considered a crisis of
- [The Truth Is Out There](https://graperesearch.org/2020/07/30/the-truth-is-out-there/): This month, the NGRA Research Theme Committees began their brainstorming and prioritization process, each with the goal of coming up with one or two ideas that can be progressed into actual research projects. As we dig into the exercise, generating input on industry-needed research, one theme has become bracingly clear. As a community, collectively, we know very
- [Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Nominations Open](https://graperesearch.org/2020/07/22/rich-smith-distinguished-service-award-nomination/): 2021 Nominations Accepted through October 30, 2020 Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management, Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Monterey wine region was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower and winery owner, and respected colleague. Through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy and funds
- [First Richard R. Smith Perpetual Award Presented to John Martini](https://graperesearch.org/2017/01/25/first-richard-r-smith-perpetual-award-presented-to-john-martini/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 25, 2017—The first-ever Richard R. Smith Perpetual Award for major contributions to the American grape and wine industry, and to research, was presented today to John Martini, co-owner of Martini Vineyards and Anthony Road Winery in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The presentation was made by the Smith family at the annual
- [Han Had Yoda. We Have Our Science Advisory Council](https://graperesearch.org/2020/04/29/science-advisory-council/): We all need someone we can go to for wise and insightful counsel, and straight talk on how to achieve our goals. Han Solo had Yoda. Rocky Balboa had Mickey. NGRA has our Science Advisory Council. The Council was formed in 2019 as a way to formalize our relationship with some of our longest-standing technical
- [There’s a Little Curie in All of Us](https://graperesearch.org/2020/06/01/theres-a-little-curie-in-all-of-us/): If you know NGRA Board member Vicky Scharlau, who leads Washington Winegrowers, you know she "calls a spade a spade." So, when she posts her "new favorite quote" on social media, you listen. What she shared was this: "Now is the time to understand more, so that we can fear less," by Marie Curie. Certainly,
- [Counting Our Blessings, Missing Our Chocolate-Covered Raisins](https://graperesearch.org/2020/06/30/counting-our-blessings-missing-our-chocolate-covered-raisins/): As with many meetings and events in our current pandemic culture, the NGRA Mid-Year Board meeting on June 19 was held entirely via Zoom. We typically offer remote meeting access for Board Directors who can't attend in person. This was the first time the whole meeting was conducted online. It was fine, but... Because of
- [Appropriations Request for Grape Genetics Research](https://graperesearch.org/2020/04/21/appropriations-request-for-grape-genetics-research/): Spring 2020 Background The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is charged with advancing world-class grape genetics research in the U.S., through its units in Parlier, CA (grape breeding), Geneva, NY (grape genomics and gene expression). Geneva and Winters, CA, also are home to a collection of critical grape germplasm, that collectively serve
- [Appropriations Request for Disease Detection with Dogs](https://graperesearch.org/2020/04/21/appropriations-request-for-disease-detection-with-dogs/): Spring 2020 Background Dr. Tim Gottwald, Research Leader/Plant Epidemiologist, at the USDA-ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, FL, has been studying the use of canine “technology” for disease detection in citrus since 2017. The exceedingly high levels of success Dr. Gottwald and his USDA team have shown with dogs in the early detection
- [Grape Research Goes on Hold](https://graperesearch.org/2020/03/30/grape-research-goes-on-hold/): The COVID-19 pandemic will certainly have far-reaching impacts on the world, including the volume and pace of research and to the scientists whose careers depend on collaborating on, conducting and publishing research. As states and municipalities issued shelter-in-place orders this month, one by one, industry and academic conferences were canceled. Government agencies and universities closed
- [NGRA Research Committee Refresh: Got Nominations?](https://graperesearch.org/2020/03/24/ngra-research-committee-refresh/): The NGRA Research Committee is critical to the mission of our organization. Its members participate actively in the process by which we identify and prioritize industry needs for research and actively work to assemble teams of scientists to develop projects and acquire funding to get that research done. And this committee is about to see
- [Just Keep Growing](https://graperesearch.org/2020/03/02/just-keep-growing/): Even though, as a leap year, 2020 gave February an extra day, this month passed in the blink of an eye. But fast does not mean uneventful. February saw the official kickoff of the growing season with budbreak in many vineyards around the country, even as their growers gathered in industry conferences to learn, network
- [New Officers and Board Directors Elected for 2020](https://graperesearch.org/2020/02/25/new-officers-and-board-directors-elected-for-2020/): NATIONAL GRAPE RESEARCH ALLIANCE ELECTS NEW OFFICERS New Board Directors Elected at Annual Meeting SACRAMENTO, CA, February 24, 2020 – The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) held its Annual Meeting of Members and First-of-Year Board Meeting on February 3, 2020, where new officers and Board directors were elected. The following Board directors were elected as
- [Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Presented to Jim Trezise](https://graperesearch.org/2020/02/06/rich-smith-distinguished-service-award-presented-to-jim-trezise/): FEBRUARY 5, 2020, SACRAMENTO, CA — In a surprise presentation, the fourth-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award for major contributions to the American grape and wine industry was given to Jim Trezise. Jim is former President of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and current President of WineAmerica. The Smith Family gave the award
- [And We're Off!](https://graperesearch.org/2020/02/04/and-were-off/): With the sleepy holidays behind us, 2020 has started with a bang! Conference season is in full swing. Starting this month, there were at least two grape and wine industry events somewhere in America every week. February is even more intense, beginning with NGRA's first-of-year Board meeting and the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento next
- [Last but Not Least](https://graperesearch.org/2019/12/02/last-but-not-least/): The National Grape Research Alliance holds three Board meetings each year, the last typically in November. Accordingly, our End-of-Year Board Meeting took place on November 14, the day after the NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop (see story below). With back-to-back day-long discussions on research to advance the grape and wine industry, it was a banner week
- [Moments of Pride and Progress](https://graperesearch.org/2019/12/31/moments-of-pride-and-progress/): It's our last newsletter of the year and normally that would mean a round-up of the year's best. But since I covered NGRA's research accomplishments of 2019 last month, here, I thought I'd share three moments of pride or progress that help make NGRA a better organization or me a better steward of it, that
- [A Hellish 'New Normal'](https://graperesearch.org/2019/11/04/a-hellish-new-normal/): The National Grape Research Alliance is based in Sacramento, California, two hours from Sonoma County, where the Kincade Fire has been burning since October 23. At this writing, the fire has scorched nearly 77,000 acres--an area more than twice the size of San Francisco, according to The New York Times. Gusty winds and kindling-dry conditions trigger
- [New Vice Chair, Officers and Board Representatives Elected](https://graperesearch.org/2019/02/08/new-vice-chair-officers-and-board-directors-elected/): NATIONAL GRAPE RESEARCH ALLIANCE ELECTS NEW VICE CHAIR Officers and Board Representatives Elected at Annual Meeting SACRAMENTO, CA, February 11, 2019 – The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) held its Annual Meeting of Members on January 28, 2019, electing Vice Chair Tom Smith (shown here) of E. & J. Gallo Winery to succeed outgoing Vice
- [Cheers to Deadlines](https://graperesearch.org/2019/09/30/cheers-to-deadlines/): Deadlines are a good thing. They create rhythm and flow to tasks and timelines, and establish a priority--often, urgency--to to-do's. If ever there were a season for deadlines, it seems that, this year, September was the start of it. Here's a sample of some deadlines we may share. Growers are responding to Mother Nature's deadline, bringing
- [Bringing in the Bounty](https://graperesearch.org/2019/09/05/bringing-in-the-bounty/): I was in the lush, green state of Missouri (a big departure from dry, brown California) earlier this month for the North American Grape Breeders Conference. A grassroots effort of the breeding community, the conference takes place every two years at a different host institution--Missouri State University did the honors this year. It was a
- [Board, Not Bored](https://graperesearch.org/2019/07/31/board-not-bored/): On July 19, in Geneva, NY, NGRA held our Mid-Year Board Meeting following the fantastic annual conference the American Society of Enology and Viticulture-Eastern Section and Nelson J. Shaulis Symposium on Digital Viticulture. Between the conference, symposium and meeting, it was a banner week for grape research! See a writeup of the symposium in Growing Produce, and read on for highlights
- [Efficient Vineyard: Making Sense of Sensors](https://graperesearch.org/2019/04/29/efficient-vineyard-update/): By Dr. Terry Bates, Cornell AgriTech, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University The end goal for the SCRI Efficient Vineyard (EV) project is to achieve “spatial-data-driven variable-rate vineyard crop-load management.” It is a mouthful of a statement! Basically, it means that we gather spatial data from sensors, translate it into information, calibrate it against
- [NVEELC 2019: Networking & Professional Development with a Dash of Southern Hospitality](https://graperesearch.org/2019/04/30/nveelc-2019/): On April 7-10, NVEELC 2019 gathered 40 extension and outreach specialists from 16 states and 30 grape-growing regions in Fredericksburg, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Hailing from New York to New Mexico and many states in between and beyond, attendees represented a terrific mix of viticulture and enology professionals—some who are newer to
- [Jerry Lohr Receives 2019 Rich Smith Award](https://graperesearch.org/2019/02/01/jerry-lohr-receives-2019-rich-smith-award/): At the annual Leadership Luncheon of the Winegrape Growers of America (WGA), held in Sacramento on January 30, 2019, Jerry Lohr was honored with the third-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award. NGRA is pleased to collaborate with WGA, WineAmerica and the Smith Family to bestow the award, given in the name of the late Rich
- [NGWI Elects New Officers](https://graperesearch.org/2017/05/05/ngwi-elects-new-officers/): In January 2017, NGWI elected new officers, including: Craig Bardwell, National Grape Cooperative, Chair Rick Stark, Sun-Maid Growers of California, Vice Chair Dan Martinez, Martinez Orchards, Secretary/Treasurer John Aguirre, California Association of Winegrape Growers, now serves as Past Chair. Click to see the complete list of board members.
- [NGWI Welcomes New President, Donnell Brown](https://graperesearch.org/2017/05/05/ngwi-welcomes-new-president-donnell-brown/): Donnell Brown has been hired as the new NGWI President, effective April 3, 2017. Brown succeeds Camron King as President of the organization. Brown has worked within the wine industry since 2009, operating a private consulting firm, Between the Vines, LLC; served as marketing director for Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack, NY; and as marketing director
- [VitisGen2 Receives SCRI Grant](https://graperesearch.org/2017/08/31/vitisgen2-receives-scri-grant/): VitisGen2 has received Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant funding, and is set to begin work September 1. An NGWI-supported project, VitisGen was launched to work toward developing new grape cultivars with high fruit quality (FQ) and resistance to powdery mildew (PM). Congratulations—and good luck—to co-PIs Dr. Bruce Reisch, professor of grapevine breeding and genetics
- [Nominations Due by October 20 for the Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award](https://graperesearch.org/2017/08/31/nominations-due-by-october-20-for-the-rich-smith-distinguished-service-award/): Richard (Rich) Smith of Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in California's Monterey wine region was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. Through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy and funds to organizations that advance the American grape and wine industry, he came to be
- [NGWI Research Committees Staffed & Starting](https://graperesearch.org/2017/06/24/320/): Late last year, NGWI refreshed our research focus areas to better reflect current research needs and more tightly align with researchers and funding sources like ARS and NIFA. At the Mid-Year Board Meeting on June 8 in Sacramento, Research Chair Nick Dokoozlian shared the structure for the four Theme Committees, and announced the people who
- [President's Year-End Wrap-Up: Top Five for 2017](https://graperesearch.org/2017/12/30/presidents-year-end-wrap-up-top-five-for-2017/): If it's New Year's, it's time for lists celebrating the highlights of the year. For NGWI, 2017 was big, so listing our top accomplishments is a bit daunting. Of course, coming aboard as president in April was the highlight of the year for me. (Many thanks to Wine Business Monthly for including me as one of the "Top
- [NGWI-Supported Trunk Diseases Project Concludes](https://graperesearch.org/2017/12/24/ngwi-supported-trunk-diseases-project-concludes/): At the end of November, Dr. Kendra Baumgartner et al. submitted the final report of their NGWI-supported SCRI project, "New detection, research, and extension tools for managing wood-canker diseases of fruit and nut crops," focusing on grape, almond and pistachio. As they explain in the report, wood-canker diseases are a serious problem in vineyards in the U.S. and
- [2017 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Presented to Wine Industry Legend Pete Downs](https://graperesearch.org/2018/01/24/2017-rich-smith-distinguished-service-award-presented-to-wine-industry-legend-pete-downs/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 24, 2018 — The second-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award for major contributions to the American grape and wine industry, and to research, was given to Edgar B. “Pete” Downs, President of the Family Winemakers of California. The award was given in a surprise presentation by the Smith Family at the Board
- [NGWI Elects New Board Chair, Tony Stephen; Re-Elects Officers and Board Representatives](https://graperesearch.org/2018/01/30/ngwi-elects-new-board-chair-tony-stephen-re-elects-officers-and-board-representatives/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 30, 2018 – The National Grape & Wine Initiative (NGWI) held its Annual Meeting of Members on January 26, 2018, electing a new Chairman of the Board, Tony Stephen, and re-electing seated officers and members at large. New Board Chair Tony Stephen has served on the NGWI Board, representing the American Vineyard
- [NGWI Is Now National Grape Research Alliance](https://graperesearch.org/2018/03/27/ngwi-is-now-national-grape-research-alliance/): NGWI Changes Its Name to National Grape Research Alliance New Name Emphasizes Mission of the Organization SACRAMENTO, CA, March 30, 2018 – The National Grape & Wine Initiative (NGWI) has officially changed its name, becoming the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA), effective immediately. The National Grape & Wine Initiative began in 2003 as the Winegrower’s Critical
- [An Open Letter: Help Support Grape Genetics Research](https://graperesearch.org/2018/04/23/an-open-letter-help-support-grape-genetics-research/): To download this letter as a pdf, click here. April 2018 To: U.S. Grape and Wine Industry Stakeholders From: National Grape Research Alliance Dear Colleagues: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is charged with advancing grape genetics research in the U.S. Through its laboratory facilities in Geneva, NY, and grape variety collections in Geneva
- [Top 10 Reasons to Attend NVEELC 2018](https://graperesearch.org/2018/05/02/top-10-reasons-to-attend-nveelc-2018/): Research has no impact if it isn't put into practice. So, NGRA is proud to support the efforts of our colleagues in extension and outreach, including their grassroots-organized National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC). This year's event is less than one month away (May 20-22), and registration closes even sooner (May 4). If you work in
- [Excellence in Extension: NVEELC 2018](https://graperesearch.org/2018/05/30/excellence-in-extension-nveelc-2018/): The 2018 National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC) took place May 20-22, hosted by Washington State University (WSU) Viticulture Extension in Prosser--the heart of Washington State wine country. The 50 extension and outreach specialists who attended represented both viticulture and enology, their experience ranged from 30+ years in their post to less than
- [Call for Nominations: Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award](https://graperesearch.org/2018/08/21/call-for-nominations-rich-smith-distinguished-service-award/): HONOR A COLLEAGUE AND A LEGEND The late Richard (Rich) Smith of Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands of California was first and foremost a family man, and also a successful grape grower, winery owner and respected colleague. Before his passing in 2015, through his significant and selfless contributions of time, energy
- [Portrait of the Perfect Grapevine: Industry Survey of Desirable Traits](https://graperesearch.org/2018/09/25/portrait-of-the-perfect-grapevine-industry-survey-of-desirable-traits/): If you could grow the perfect grapevine, what would it be or do? What would its fruit be or look like? How would it perform throughout the season, given your climate, soil and labor availability? Essentially, these were the dreams grape and wine industry representatives were asked to entertain when surveyed about the most desirable
- [November, But Still No Farm Bill](https://graperesearch.org/2018/10/30/still-no-farm-bill/): Congress adjourned for the November 6, 2018, mid-term elections without passing a Farm Bill. While it is widely anticipated that they will return after the elections for a lame duck session, it is uncertain whether they will be able to resolve their differences and reauthorize a Farm Bill. Of note are the 39 orphaned programs
- [2018: A very good vintage](https://graperesearch.org/2018/12/21/a-very-good-vintage/): The National Grape Research Alliance did and achieved a lot in the last 12 months. As the year winds down, we thought we'd share a snapshot of how, with the support of our members nationwide, NGRA helped to advance research to support and improve the U.S. grape and wine industry in 2018, and into 2019
- [Farm Bill 2018 Passed](https://graperesearch.org/2018/12/21/farm-bill-2018-passed/): On December 20, 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill) was signed into law and will remain in effect for the next five years. WineAmerica was one of the many specialty crop organizations fighting for a robust bill. As Jim Trezise, WineAmerica President and NGRA Board member, says, “The Farm Bill is a massive

## Pages

- [Homepage](https://graperesearch.org/): LATEST NEWSLETTER September 2026 Consider the long shadow of the farmerFind out how USDA is modernizing how it collects ag dataFollow spores on their journey through your vineyardsTune in to our podcast-style deep dive of this month's grape research news headlines Photo credit: Oregon State-based members of the FRAME Networks research team Read the Newsletter
- [Newsletter Archives](https://graperesearch.org/newsletter/newsletter-archives/): The monthly NGRA e-newsletter helps to keep the industry updated on recent NGRA and industry activities. Sign up today to get it delivered right to your inbox! To read back issues of our newsletters, listed in reverse chronological order below, simply scroll to the edition of interest and click the link. September 2026 Consider the long shadow
- [Newsletter](https://graperesearch.org/newsletter/): The NGRA newsletter is published monthly via email to keep our members--and our grape industry and academic community at large--informed of timely research-related news. Use the form at left to subscribe. You'll find our newsletter in your inbox on the last business day of every month. Click to the September 2026 edition to... Consider the
- [Events & Webinars](https://graperesearch.org/events/): A listing of industry and academic events relevant to grape research--including a few of our own! Oct. 20-22, 2026 FIRA USA Yakima, WA Nov. 10-11, 2026 Sustainable Ag Expo San Luis Obispo, CA Nov. 12, 2026 NGRA Year-End Board Meeting Virtual event Nov. 17-18, 2026 Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research Annual Conference The Dalles,
- [Members & Membership](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/membership/): As an industry-led membership organization, NGRA relies on the participation of industry members to strengthen and mobilize our research mission. What types of industry organizations comprise NGRA membership? wine grape growers and wineries table grape growers juice grape growers and processors raisin growers and processors rootstock/nursery growers regional and state trade associations, member cooperatives and
- [Board and Staff](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/board-and-staff/): Staff Donnell BrownPresident Officers ChairRich Schaefers Nuveen Natural CapitalCalifornia As Vice President of Viticulture at Nuveen, Dr. Schaefers protects vineyard investments through sound, science-based management practices. He is active in the grape and wine research community, with service on the Board of the American Vineyard Foundation, a commissioner with the Sonoma County Winegrowers and is
- [Affiliate Membership](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/membership/affiliate-membership/): Affiliated business are our newly invited partners. For the first time in our nearly 20-year history, starting in 2024, the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) is inviting grape and wine industry service providers, or affiliates, to bring their unique insights and service-oriented point of view to our esteemed organization. But not just any affiliated businesses--only
- [US Funded Grape Research](https://graperesearch.org/research/funded-grape-research/): Inventory of Funded Grape Research in the U.S. Ever wonder what U.S. grape-related research is receiving funding from competitive grant programs? We do, too. So, we reinstated our inventory of research funded via grant programs at regional, state and federal levels to create a comprehensive snapshot into the ways scientists in America are working to
- [Extension & Outreach](https://graperesearch.org/extension-and-outreach/): NGRA believes strongly in the extension and outreach function and its role in ensuring the commercial adoption of scientific advances. We require that all projects we support include a well-conceived extension component, and we ensure that outreach specialists feel connected and supported at a national level. A Video Primer on AI in Extension In this
- [NVEELC](https://graperesearch.org/extension-and-outreach/nveelc/): NVEELC Conference 2026 Meeting Stakeholders Where They Are April 20-22, 2026 | San Antonio, TX | Westin Riverwalk Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Networking: The conference kicks off with an afternoon pow-wow with colleagues from across the country, sharing challenges, innovations and opportunities to collaborate. We can all work together to meet our
- [Vineyard Nutrition Symposium](https://graperesearch.org/events/vineyard-nutrition-symposium/): Presented by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and National Grape Research Alliance June 16, 2026 | 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Boise Centre, Boise, ID NGRA is pleased to partner with the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) to produce this exciting state-of-the-science event. The Vineyard Nutrition Symposium amplifies the outcomes
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- [Vision and Mission](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/vision-and-mission/): FINDING SOLUTIONS IN SCIENCE. TOGETHER. Who We Are NGRA is a nationwide coalition of grape and grape products sectors representing grape growers, processors, wineries, and representatives of academic institutions and cooperative extension organizations committed to improving the grape industries through coordinated research priorities. NGRA gains strength by building upon the expertise, experience, commitment and collaboration of
- [About & Membership](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/): The National Grape Research Alliance is an industry-driven nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works to align research priorities at the highest level to strengthen the competitiveness of America’s grape industry. As you can see from the list of our Board Directors, all segments and grape-growing regions of the U.S. are represented, collectively driving the future of the industry:
- [Research](https://graperesearch.org/research/): Our research focus spans the four theme areas shown above. Behind each of these themes, we've identified several areas of priority representing the greatest research need. See our complete list of industry research priorities. Our four research themes are organized into Research Theme Committees whose members leverage their considerable talent and expertise to help target needs
- [Extension Directory](https://graperesearch.org/directory/): Directory of US V&E Extension Specialists Looking for expert guidance on grape research? Or hoping to connect with a colleague in viticulture or enology extension? Use our directory search below to find an extension specialist anywhere in the U.S.Note: This directory is intended for use by members of the grape and wine industry and the
- [Home](https://graperesearch.org/home/)
- [Research Priorities](https://graperesearch.org/research/research-priorities/): Originally set in 2017, the NGRA Research Committee refreshed our industry research priorities in 2023. From big, broad ideas to more granular "streams and themes," these priorities guide our thinking around projects to initiate and support. EXTENSION & OUTREACH Support extension education and outreach efforts for the U.S. grape industry Improve the visibility and promote
- [NGRA Fellowship](https://graperesearch.org/research/ngra-fellowship/): Launched Spring 2022: The NGRA Fellowship! Designed to further the work of aspiring Ph.D. students in grape-related science supporting the NGRA research priorities, the NGRA Fellowship is a competitive award of $30,000 per year for three years, conferred on one student in 2022. In addition to the monetary contribution for student tuition and/or fees, the
- [History](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/history/): A Meeting of the Minds On August 28-29, 2003, 20 leaders and key stakeholders from the California grape and wine industry and the University of California at Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology met to address a growing crisis in research funding, and to develop a process for establishing research priorities that would mutually benefit the wine industry and academic
- [Overview Presentation](https://graperesearch.org/about-ngra/overview-presentation/): Curious about how we work, what research we’ve helped to advance and how we’ve impacted the industry? Watch our five-minute video overview. Interested in exploring membership in NGRA? Find more info here.
- [NGRA-Supported Research](https://graperesearch.org/research/current-research/): What are we working on right now? Glad you asked! Currently, NGRA is helping to drive the important projects shown below.
- [Research Process & Support](https://graperesearch.org/research/research-process/): NGRA strives to set an industry-driven research agenda, seeking to drive collaboration on game-changing national research projects and priorities, focusing on projects that no one grape industry segment could effectively undertake on its own. How We Work NGRA pulls together the right people to develop and explore ideas, then implement and extend findings into practice. Each year,
- [NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop](https://graperesearch.org/ngra-ars-sensor-technology-workshop-2019/): NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop Wednesday, November 13, 2019 | Embassy Suites, Sacramento, CA The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) are partnering to produce the NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop to be held this fall in Sacramento, CA. Join wine and grape industry principals to hear from scientists about the
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- [NGRA Overview Presentation](https://graperesearch.org/ngra-overview-presentation/): NGRA_Overview_Presentation_v6-FINAL
- [NGWI Elects New Board Chair, Tony Stephen; Re-Elects Officers and Board Representatives](https://graperesearch.org/new-board-chair-2018/): SACRAMENTO, CA, January 30, 2018 – The National Grape & Wine Initiative (NGWI) held its Annual Meeting of Members on January 26, 2018, electing a new Chairman of the Board, Tony Stephen, and re-electing seated officers and members at large. New Board Chair Tony Stephen has served on the NGWI Board, representing the American Vineyard
- [2017 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award  Presented to Wine Industry Legend Pete Downs](https://graperesearch.org/2017-rich-smith-award-pete-downs/): 2017 Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award Presented to Wine Industry Legend Pete Downs SACRAMENTO, CA, January 24, 2018 — The second-annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award for major contributions to the American grape and wine industry, and to research, was given to Edgar B. “Pete” Downs, President of the Family Winemakers of California. The award

## Directory Entries

- [Donald Caldwell](https://graperesearch.org/directory/donald-caldwell/)
- [Demi Perry](https://graperesearch.org/directory/demi-perry/)
- [Stephan Sommer](https://graperesearch.org/directory/stephan-sommer/)
- [Alexa (Lexie) McDaniel](https://graperesearch.org/directory/alexa-lexie-mcdaniel/)
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- [Ali Sarkhosh](https://graperesearch.org/directory/ali-sarkhosh/)
- [Rui (Tabby) Liu](https://graperesearch.org/directory/6672/)
- [Annie Vogel](https://graperesearch.org/directory/annie-vogel/)
- [Jean Dodson Peterson](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jean-dodson-peterson/)
- [David James](https://graperesearch.org/directory/david-james/)
- [Doug Walsh](https://graperesearch.org/directory/doug-walsh/)
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- [Naidu Rayapati](https://graperesearch.org/directory/naidu-rayapati/)
- [Tom Collins](https://graperesearch.org/directory/tom-collins/)
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- [Colin Zumwalde](https://graperesearch.org/directory/colin-zumwalde/)
- [Soon Li Teh](https://graperesearch.org/directory/soon-li-teh/)
- [Wenping Qiu](https://graperesearch.org/directory/wenping-qiu/)
- [Chin-Feng Hwang](https://graperesearch.org/directory/chin-feng-hwang/)
- [Pierre Davadant](https://graperesearch.org/directory/pierre-davadant/)
- [Lisa Dunlap](https://graperesearch.org/directory/lisa-dunlap/)
- [Renee Threfall](https://graperesearch.org/directory/renee-threfall/)
- [Madeline Wimmer](https://graperesearch.org/directory/madeline-wimmer/)
- [Beth Burzynski Chang](https://graperesearch.org/directory/beth-burzynski-chang/)
- [James Osborne](https://graperesearch.org/directory/james-osborne/)
- [Alexander (Alec) Levin](https://graperesearch.org/directory/alexander-alec-levin/)
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- [Rhoda Burrows](https://graperesearch.org/directory/rhoda-burrows/)
- [Anne Fennell](https://graperesearch.org/directory/anne-fennell/)
- [David Lockwood](https://graperesearch.org/directory/david-lockwood/)
- [Andreea Botezatu](https://graperesearch.org/directory/andreea-botezatu/)
- [Michela Centinari](https://graperesearch.org/directory/michela-centinari/)
- [Bryan Hed](https://graperesearch.org/directory/bryan-hed/)
- [Cain Hickey](https://graperesearch.org/directory/cain-hickey/)
- [Megan Luke](https://graperesearch.org/directory/megan-luke/)
- [William McGlynn](https://graperesearch.org/directory/william-mcglynn/)
- [Aaron Wayne Essary](https://graperesearch.org/directory/aaron-wayne-essary/)
- [Eric Rebek](https://graperesearch.org/directory/eric-rebek/)
- [Walter (Walt) Mahaffee](https://graperesearch.org/directory/walter-walt-mahaffee/)
- [Kaitlin Gold](https://graperesearch.org/directory/kaitlin-gold/)
- [Alice Wise](https://graperesearch.org/directory/alice-wise/)
- [Jason Londo](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jason-londo/)
- [Greg Loeb](https://graperesearch.org/directory/greg-loeb/)
- [Gary Gao](https://graperesearch.org/directory/gary-gao/)
- [Melanie Lewis Ivey](https://graperesearch.org/directory/melanie-lewis-ivey/)
- [Maria Smith](https://graperesearch.org/directory/maria-smith/)
- [Todd Steiner](https://graperesearch.org/directory/todd-steiner/)
- [Ed Zweiacher](https://graperesearch.org/directory/ed-zweiacher/)
- [Becky Carrol](https://graperesearch.org/directory/becky-carrol/)
- [Bruce Dunn](https://graperesearch.org/directory/bruce-dunn/)
- [Hemant Gohil](https://graperesearch.org/directory/hemant-gohil/)
- [Gary Pavlis](https://graperesearch.org/directory/gary-pavlis/)
- [Dan Ward](https://graperesearch.org/directory/dan-ward/)
- [Terry Bates](https://graperesearch.org/directory/terry-bates/)
- [Jennifer Phillips Russo](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jennifer-phillips-russo/)
- [Chris Gerling](https://graperesearch.org/directory/chris-gerling/)
- [Anna Katherine Mansfield](https://graperesearch.org/directory/anna-katherine-mansfield/)
- [Lynn Sosnoskie](https://graperesearch.org/directory/lynn-sosnoskie/)
- [Marc Fuchs](https://graperesearch.org/directory/marc-fuchs/)
- [Hans Walter-Peterson](https://graperesearch.org/directory/hans-walter-peterson/)
- [Andrej Svyantek](https://graperesearch.org/directory/andrej-svyantek/)
- [Sara Villani](https://graperesearch.org/directory/sara-villani/)
- [Wayne Mitchem](https://graperesearch.org/directory/wayne-mitchem/)
- [Mark Hoffmann](https://graperesearch.org/directory/mark-hoffmann/)
- [Harlene Hatterman-Valenti](https://graperesearch.org/directory/harlene-hatterman-valenti/)
- [Paul Read](https://graperesearch.org/directory/paul-read/)
- [Rebecca Sideman](https://graperesearch.org/directory/rebecca-sideman/)
- [Rufus Isaacs](https://graperesearch.org/directory/rufus-isaacs/)
- [Timothy Miles](https://graperesearch.org/directory/timothy-miles/)
- [Paolo Sabbatini](https://graperesearch.org/directory/paolo-sabbatini/)
- [Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar](https://graperesearch.org/directory/esmaeil-nasrollahiazar/)
- [Drew Horton](https://graperesearch.org/directory/drew-horton/)
- [William Hutchsison](https://graperesearch.org/directory/william-hutchsison/)
- [Dean Volenberg](https://graperesearch.org/directory/dean-volenberg/)
- [Jim Schoelz](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jim-schoelz/)
- [Reid Smeda](https://graperesearch.org/directory/reid-smeda/)
- [Miranda Purcell](https://graperesearch.org/directory/miranda-purcell/)
- [Jeff Wheeler](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jeff-wheeler/)
- [Patsy Wilson](https://graperesearch.org/directory/patsy-wilson/)
- [Elsa Petit](https://graperesearch.org/directory/elsa-petit/)
- [Joe Fiola](https://graperesearch.org/directory/joe-fiola/)
- [Erin Norton](https://graperesearch.org/directory/erin-norton/)
- [Gail Nonnecke](https://graperesearch.org/directory/gail-nonnecke/)
- [Suzanne Slack](https://graperesearch.org/directory/suzanne-slack/)
- [Randall Vos](https://graperesearch.org/directory/randall-vos/)
- [Esmaeil Fallahi](https://graperesearch.org/directory/esmaeil-fallahi/)
- [Brad Taylor](https://graperesearch.org/directory/brad-taylor/)
- [Violeta Tsolova](https://graperesearch.org/directory/violeta-tsolova/)
- [Charles Sims](https://graperesearch.org/directory/charles-sims/)
- [Phil Brannen](https://graperesearch.org/directory/phil-brannen/)
- [Sarah Lowder](https://graperesearch.org/directory/sarah-lowder/)
- [Brett Blaauw](https://graperesearch.org/directory/brett-blaauw/)
- [Paula Burke](https://graperesearch.org/directory/paula-burke/)
- [Nathan Eason](https://graperesearch.org/directory/nathan-eason/)
- [Clark MacAllister](https://graperesearch.org/directory/clark-macallister/)
- [Jacob Williams](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jacob-williams/)
- [John Scaduto](https://graperesearch.org/directory/john-scaduto/)
- [Matthew Fidelibus](https://graperesearch.org/directory/matthew-fidelibus/)
- [Maher Al Rwahnih](https://graperesearch.org/directory/maher-al-rwahnih/)
- [Neil McRoberts](https://graperesearch.org/directory/neil-mcroberts/)
- [Kerri Steenwerth](https://graperesearch.org/directory/kerri-steenwerth/)
- [Jim Farrar](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jim-farrar/)
- [Charlotte Oliver](https://graperesearch.org/directory/charlotte-oliver/)
- [Horst Caspari](https://graperesearch.org/directory/horst-caspari/)
- [Mary Concklin](https://graperesearch.org/directory/mary-concklin/)
- [Tian Tian](https://graperesearch.org/directory/tian-tian/)
- [Joy Hollingsworth](https://graperesearch.org/directory/joy-hollingsworth/)
- [Christopher Chen](https://graperesearch.org/directory/christopher-chen/)
- [Karl Lund](https://graperesearch.org/directory/karl-lund/)
- [Larry Bettiga](https://graperesearch.org/directory/larry-bettiga/)
- [Monica Cooper](https://graperesearch.org/directory/monica-cooper/)
- [Justin Tanner](https://graperesearch.org/directory/justin-tanner/)
- [Mark Battany](https://graperesearch.org/directory/mark-battany/)
- [Smiley Jenna](https://graperesearch.org/directory/smiley-jenna/)
- [Hildegarde Heymann](https://graperesearch.org/directory/hildegarde-heymann/)
- [David Block](https://graperesearch.org/directory/david-block/)
- [Ben Montpetit](https://graperesearch.org/directory/ben-montpetit/)
- [Jim Lapsley](https://graperesearch.org/directory/jim-lapsley/)
- [Luis Antonio Diaz Garcia](https://graperesearch.org/directory/luis-antonio-diaz-garcia/)
- [Kamyar Aram](https://graperesearch.org/directory/kamyar-aram/)
- [Scott Oneto](https://graperesearch.org/directory/scott-oneto/)
- [George Zhuang](https://graperesearch.org/directory/george-zhuang/)
- [Suraj Kar](https://graperesearch.org/directory/suraj-kar/)
- [Michael Costello](https://graperesearch.org/directory/michael-costello/)
- [Benoit Lecat](https://graperesearch.org/directory/benoit-lecat/)
- [Luca Brillante](https://graperesearch.org/directory/luca-brillante/)
- [Cliff (Runze) Yu](https://graperesearch.org/directory/cliff-runze-yu/)
- [Sonet Van Zyl](https://graperesearch.org/directory/sonet-van-zyl/)
- [Stephanie Bolton](https://graperesearch.org/directory/stephanie-bolton/)
- [Merilark Padget](https://graperesearch.org/directory/merilark-padget/)
- [Elina Coneva](https://graperesearch.org/directory/elina-coneva/)
- [Matt Halldorson](https://graperesearch.org/directory/matt-halldorson/)
- [Federico Cassasa](https://graperesearch.org/directory/federico-cassasa/)

## Projects

- [High-Resolution Vineyard Nutrient Management, 2020-2024](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/high-resolution-vineyard-nutrient-management/): This project seeks to enable grape growers to make data-driven nutrient-management decisions for spatially heterogenous vineyards and diverse production markets, proposing to develop grower-friendly decision-aid tools for vineyard nutrient management to optimize inputs and business profitability via improved vineyard productivity and fruit and product quality, while minimizing adverse impacts on the environment.
- [Efficient Vineyard, 2015-2019](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/vineyard-efficiency-through-highresolution-spatiotemporal-crop-load-measurement-and-management/): The Efficient Vineyard project seeks to develop sensor and mechanization technology to measure crop load and assess canopy with real-time imaging to enhance our ability to achieve vine balance and eventually develop tools for precision viticulture. This project has now concluded.
- [VitisGen3, 2022-2026](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/vitisgen3-2023-2027/): The project aims to advance grape breeding by using the latest technologies to identify and test gene candidates, deliver advanced information — including computer-vision phenotyping, artificial intelligence, and DNA markers — to all U.S. grape breeders, develop disease-control programs, and train vineyard managers and Extension personnel across the U.S. in their use. Specifically, the project
- [Online Guide to Grapevine Varieties and Rootstocks, 2021-2023](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/online-guide-to-grapevine-varieties-and-rootstocks/): This project will serve as a pilot for the establishment of an authoritative web-based collection of grapevine variety and rootstock information--a useful resource for the viticulture and enology industry. In addition to providing reliable descriptions, pictures, and performance data (when available), for grapevine varieties and rootstocks, we envision developing and assigning a list of traits
- [Sustainable Vineyard Water Management, 2010-2015](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/developing-sustainable-vineyard-water-management-strategies-for-limited-and-impaired-water-supplies/): This important study advanced “surface renewal” technology from a complicated array of tools to a single unit capable of sending automated evapotranspiration reports to users, helping to identify signs of stress and help determine when to water.
- [Northern Grapes Project, 2011-2019](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/northern-grapes-integrating-viticulture-winemaking-and-marketing-of-new-cold-hardy-cultivars/): This project brought together 34 researchers from 12 institutions to address varietal performance and resulting fruit and wine flavor attributes in the cold climates of the northern United States.
- [VitisGen, 2013-2017](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/vitisgen/): The VitisGen team, led by Drs. Bruce Reisch and Lance Cadle-Davidson, focuses on identifying several traits: powdery mildew resistance, low temperature responses, and fruit quality, looking to “map the way to the next generation of grapes.”
- [Reducing Water Use and Salinity, 2010-2018](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/scalable-solutions-to-reduce-water-use-and-salinity-in-wineries/): The project, led by Dr. Gour Choudhury at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, includes collaborators from the Wine Institute, California League of Food Processors, and the Sustainable Wine Alliance.
- [Managing Wood-Canker Diseases, 2014-2017](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/new-detection-research-and-extension-tools-for-managing-wood-canker-diseases-of-fruit-and-nut-crops/): A multi-crop (grape, pistachio and almond) project was funded in 2012 to tackle trunk diseases, the leading reason for vineyard removal in many parts of the country. Because the industry lacks disease diagnostic tools (other than saws) it is estimated that these diseases result in losses of over $200 million each year.
- [VitisGen2, 2017-2021](https://graperesearch.org/research/projects/vitisgen2/): In the second phase of this game-changing research, the VitisGen2 team will expand on progress made in developing novel economic, phenotyping and genetics knowledge and tools related to new grape cultivars. And they plan to translate these and previous VitisGen innovations into new applications for improving grape breeding programs and managing existing vineyard plantings.

## Categories

- [NGRA News](https://graperesearch.org/category/ngwi-news/)
- [Industry News](https://graperesearch.org/category/industry-news/)

## Tags

- [NGWI News](https://graperesearch.org/tag/ngwi-news/)
- [vitisgen](https://graperesearch.org/tag/vitisgen/)
- [breeding](https://graperesearch.org/tag/breeding/)
- [genetics](https://graperesearch.org/tag/genetics/)
- [SCRI](https://graperesearch.org/tag/scri/)
- [board](https://graperesearch.org/tag/board/)
- [extension](https://graperesearch.org/tag/extension/)
- [traits](https://graperesearch.org/tag/traits/)
- [year-in-review](https://graperesearch.org/tag/year-in-review/)
- [farm bill](https://graperesearch.org/tag/farm-bill/)
- [rich smith award](https://graperesearch.org/tag/rich-smith-award/)
- [Projects](https://graperesearch.org/tag/projects/)
- [Grape Research](https://graperesearch.org/tag/grape-research/)
- [wildfires](https://graperesearch.org/tag/wildfires/)
- [FFAR](https://graperesearch.org/tag/ffar/)
- [Research Focus](https://graperesearch.org/tag/research-focus/)
- [climate change](https://graperesearch.org/tag/climate-change/)
- [disease](https://graperesearch.org/tag/disease/)
- [press release](https://graperesearch.org/tag/press-release/)