Study on the use of source-sink-reserves relations to manipulate grapevine nitrogen use efficiency, aroma and grape maturity and its relationship to yields and wine composition

AVF Proj. ID: 2185 / /Cat.:
Primary Investigator(s): S. Kaan Kurturalby

Canopy management and fruit load control aim to keep a balance between vine’s sources and sinks. In fact, balanced vines may produce more consistent yields and have a more even ripening. This study aims to study the relationship between source–sink ratios and important parameters for production logistics and grape quality, such as progress of ripening and grape composition at harvest. After homogenizing all vines by removing laterals and adjusting the number of shoots to 20, we tested three levels of canopy density and fruit load combined in a factorial design (3 by 3). This is, 3 canopy levels, 100%, 66% and 33% of the leaves combined with 3 fruit loads, 100%, 66% and 33% of the fruit corresponding to 30, 20 and 10 clusters per vine, respectively. Carbon fixation rates were transiently higher in plants with a 33% of the canopy mediated by higher chlorophyll content, although this did not compensate for their smaller leaf area. Onset of ripening was sequentially delayed in 66% and 33% canopy treatments. The progress of ripening, accumulation of soluble solids and loss of acidity (increase in pH and decrease in total acidity), also occurred slower in 66% and 33% canopy treatments compared to 100% of the canopy. In fact, the time to reach commercial maturity (>25°Brix) was delayed 6 weeks for the 33% canopy level. Surprisingly, fruit load did not have a significant effect on the progress of ripening. When comparing all treatments at commercial maturity, the treatment maintaining 100% of the canopy had the highest total acidity and lowest pH. Contrarily, Anthocyanin content was slightly lower in this treatment. These results provide the basis for the control of the speed of ripening, aiming to coalesce variability within a vineyard or optimize the tank capacity through sequential ripening.

Fruit thinning is an important cultural practice in a premium vineyard as it directly affects yields. From fruit set through veraison, wine (especially red) grape growers can remove up to 2/3 of the initial crop borne by the plant at fruit set. This practice is performed aiming for a vine balance between leaf area (sources) and fruit load (sinks). A vine with a higher leaf area-to-fruit ratio (LA/F) is able to ripen (increase °Brix) the crop faster (Kliewer and Dokoozlian 2005; Parker et al. 2014), and presumably, achieve better quality. Contrarily, when there is too much fruit for a given leaf area, ripening (increase in °Brix) can be slower and even stop when is pushed into late October. Under normal circumstances, grape berry accumulates sugars and anthocyanins, while losing astringency (mainly proanthocyanins) and green aromas throughout ripening. Therefore, lack of ripening can be assessed as a slower accumulation of TSS and anthocyanins or retaining high amounts of proanthocyanidins and green aroma compounds. It is well understood that although a balanced wine is the target, there is greater penalization for under ripe wine characteristics than over ripe (Bindon et al. 2014), and in poor sugar accumulation is intimately related to vintage failure (Jones and Davis 2000). Therefore, there is a risk associated with carrying more crop in the grapevine as this can result in an insufficient ripening and quality loss. As grape price or wine retail price is a greater multiplier of revenue than yield in wine grape, dropping fruit is always the decision taken by premium wine grape growers. In addition, when there is a contract between grape growers and wineries, there are great economic interest plead for or against fruit thinning, without any certainty of the true pros and cons of fruit thinning. Given the stability of 2 summer weather in California, a better understanding of how source-sink-reserves affect plant fitness, growers could reduce the amount of fruit that they need to drop and still safely achieve an adequate ripening.

Nitrogen applications are a delicate matter as in their deficiency may result into poor growth and in excess may inhibit the production of grape anthocyanins (Soubeyrand et al. 2014). This study aims to determine the impact of nitrogen use efficiency and make recommendations about the application of nitrogen in combination with canopy and fruit load management decisions. Nitrogen is the most frequently deficient nutrient in vineyards, and thus the most often supplemented by fertilizers. Grapevines lose approximately 2.76 lbs of N per ton of grapes harvested, and this value serves as an indication of the minimum amount of N that should be replenished annually. However, that value is an estimate based on the average of data from several studies showing a range from 4.2 to 1.8 lbs of N per ton of grapes (see references in Mullins et al., (1992)). In addition, a great amount of nitrogen is invested in the growth of trunk, roots, leaves and shoots. Although a fraction of this nitrogen is reabsorbed into permanent structures when plants go dormant, a significant amount is lost with leaf fall and dormant pruning, leading to additional demand. Given the significant storage of nitrogen perennial crops in permanent structures, the use of a fertilizer containing labeled nitrogen (15N) allows an estimation of the fertilizer use efficiency, and therefore, determine if the amount of nitrogen prescribed needs to be modified according to cultural practices canopy or crop load management.

Evaluation of Ten Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot gris Clones in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

AVF Proj. ID: 2018 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): George Zhuangby

In June of 2017, 25 vines per Pinot gris clone from Foundation Plant Service, including FPS 01, 04, 05, 09, 10, 11, 52 and 08, grafted on Freedom rootstock as green potted vines, were planted at the commercial site located at Firebaugh, Fresno County, CA (36°45’22.2″N 120°28’12.6″W). Five vines of clone FPS 12, and ten vines, clone FPS 457, with the same rootstock were planted at the same date, due to lack of cuttings. Stakes with 24-inch horizontal cross arm and cordon wires, established to 54-inch height above vineyard floor, and irrigation tubing were installed after the planting. Irrigation and fertilization were carried out according to the vineyard cooperator based on the commercial industry standards for that area. Each experimental vine was flagged and labeled after the planting with the information of variety, rootstock, planting date and clone number on it. Vines were field checked regularly to assess the canopy growth, count the missing vines, and scout disease/pest. After the summer of 2017, extra vines with a total of 64 vines plus Freedom rootstocks have been ordered from Foundation Plant Service and cuttings will be collected in the dormant season of 2017. Cooperators from local nursery will help the grafting and prepare the green potted vines for replacing the missing vines in the field by the late spring of 2018.

In the fall of 2017, decision has been made to prune the vines back to two buds in the dormant period due to the non-uniform growth across vines. Therefore, vine trunk and cordon will be trained in 2018 and additional 64 vines will be planted to replace the missing vines in the late spring of 2018. The first harvest will be expected in 2019.

Determining the Impacts of Dormant Pruning Methods and Nitrogen Fertilization on Pinot Noir Bud Fruitfulness and Yield

AVF Proj. ID: 2081 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Patricia A. Skinkis and R. Paul Schreinerby

This project is designed to provide scientifically tested information to growers about the impacts of two commercial management practices that can influence vineyard productivity: dormant pruning and nitrogen (N) fertilization. The Oregon industry uses primarily cane pruning for Pinot Noir, as they believe spur pruning will result in low yields (due to low bud fruitfulness) and reduce wine quality. Objective 1 of this study tests this question in a commercial vineyard, and we have been able to show with year 1 data that spur-pruned vines have fruitful basal buds, and that fruit composition and vine growth are equitable to that of cane-pruned vines. Although cluster size is smaller in spur-pruned vines, it was not enough to cause differences in whole vine yield. Results from our N-fertilization trial show little effect on bud and actual fruitfulness and yield after two seasons. Both experiments highlight the impact of vine vigor on bud fruitfulness, with greater fruitfulness observed with higher cane weights in the nitrogen trial and higher internode diameters in both pruning and fertilization trials. Additional years of this research will help determine the impacts of these management methods on yield potential over different seasons and vineyards to help growers adopt new pruning practices and/or enhance their vineyard N-management.

A Researcher-Industry Partnership to Understand the Yield-Quality Relationship in Cool Climate Pinot noir and Chardonnay Production

AVF Proj. ID: 1945 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Patricia A. Skinkisby

The long-term crop load study continued during 2017, the project’s sixth season. Eleven companies conducted the research on-site in 12 vineyards during 2017. Yields were the second highest in the six years of the study, second only to 2015. Average yield across all crop thinning treatments and sites was 1.13 lb/ft, which is higher than the 6-year mean of 0.93 lb/ft. Seasonal heat unit accumulation for 2017 was the lowest since 2012, and harvest was later than in recent years. However, fruit had sufficient ripening with total soluble solids (TSS) ranging from 21.0 – 25.0 °Brix. Analysis of harvest data across all sites in 2017 shows that fruit composition was affected by vineyard site and crop level. Treatment effects were tested within each vineyard site, and results show that only half of the sites (50%) had some treatment effect on fruit composition; however, the effects varied by site. There was no single fruit parameter that was affected by crop level at all sites, and the most common differences found by treatment were for TSS and pH in 2017. However, only 25% of vineyard sites had a difference in TSS with cluster thinning. Multiple regression analysis of data across the first five years (2012-2016) shows that crop load (yield: pruning weight, Y:PW) was related to TSS more than yield alone. Yield, however, was related to anthocyanin, pH and TA, with higher yields predicting lower pH, TA, anthocyanin, and tannin but higher TA. Fruit YAN was best predicted by pruning weights and Y:PW, not yield. Expert evaluation of wines from the 2012-2014 vintages show no yield effect on wine sensory perception, as wines did not group by yield level for descriptive analyses. According to industry collaborators surveyed, 43% had sufficient confidence in the study’s findings that they adopted higher yield targets in their vineyards beyond the research project, citing the ability to increase yield without compromising quality, and in recent warm years higher yields were preferred by winemakers.

Assessing Rootstock Biology and Water Uptake through Proximal Sensing under Different Wetting/Drying Conditions

AVF Proj. ID: 2050 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Kaan Kurturalby

Considering the importance of the water status as a driver of the whole plant physiology at the vineyard scale, developing new technologies for the space-time measurement of roots distribution and water uptake is crucial for the development of efficient precision viticulture practices. This project (2017-2022) is devoted to the development of a non-invasive technique (electrical resistivity tomography, ERT), as a tool to compare dynamic changes in root growth and water uptake patterns, and to apply this technique to the study of several commercially available rootstocks under varied irrigation delivery methods (drippers, micro-sprinklers) and water regimes (sustained deficit irrigation, rain fed, fully watered). The project was conducted in a vineyard at UC Davis specifically planted for the study of the response of rootstocks to watering systems. According to the timetable of the funded proposal the first year consisted of two parallel objectives: i) the calibration of ERT to soil water and roots distribution iii) the physiological monitoring of different rootstocks under different water amounts and delivery methods.

In a vineyard planted to Chardonnay on different rootstocks representing the most common parentage classes in a randomized complete block design, six soil pits were dug for the description of the soil profile, the sampling of the soil for chemical-physical analysis and the installation of TDR probes for the monitoring of soil moisture. The pits were then refilled, and the soil allowed to resettle for several months before the measurements commenced. The section of the field used for calibration purposes was not irrigated throughout the season in order to cover a full range of moisture levels for that soil (from 24% to 8% vol.). In close correspondence of these pits, at the soil surface 300 stainless steel electrodes were installed at a distance of 0.62 m (2 feet) for the ERT monitoring. A single ERT measurement was able to cover 2 plants on 2 different rootstock, which represented an experimental unit. The water status of the plants within the experimental units was monitored using infrared thermography and pressure chamber measurements. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were monitored through a pressure bomb. The electrical resistivity was calibrated to the soil water content obtained by TDR measurements, and two different pedoelectrical models were fitted to the data: Archie, in a canonical and linearized form, and Waxman and Smits models. Their performances were tested on 20% of the data from the whole dataset that were excluded from the model fitting and then used as a test set of unobserved data. The three modeling approaches gave similar results on the test set, with a slight decrease in performance from the log-log linearization (RMSE = 1.22% vol., R2 = 0.73) and the Archie law (1.22 %vol., R2 = 0.73), to the Waxman-Smits model (RMSE = 1.23% vol., R2 = 0.73). The Archie law was then chosen, and confirmed to be well adapted to predominantly sandy soils such as the experiment site. This calibration was used to transform the ERT images from soil resistivity to soil moisture maps under different rootstocks in 2D and 3D. This is the first report in the world that 3D images of soil moisture were developed in a vineyard, and the first time that this technique was used to compare rootstock physiology in general. Great differences were found between contiguous rootstocks in their spatial use of water. The presented data show how lateral heterogeneity in soil moisture could reduce the efficiency of spot measurements, as those obtained with soil probes, and soil moisture sensors in determining irrigation needs.

At the end of the season, the soil was sampled with an auger at different locations in the middle between contiguous ERT electrodes. The soil was sampled every 0.1 m, brought to the laboratory and oven-dried. Roots were physically separated from the soil, and their presence was assessed in a gravimetrically (mg of roots per g of soil). The presence of roots was negatively correlated to soil moisture obtained through ERT (r = 0.45), i.e. greater the amount of roots, lower the amount of water at the end of a dry period. This relations was then used to map the roots using ERT as ancillary variable for the spatialization, therefore developing the first electrical image of root distribution in a vineyard.

Spacial Patterns in Berry Skin Properties & Their Relation to Varietal, Cultural & Regional Differences in Cracking Susceptibility

AVF Proj. ID: 1779 / /Cat.:
Primary Investigator(s): Ken Shackelby

The current understanding of cracking/splitting in grape and other fruit, is based on the assumption that flesh cell turgor pressure pushes outward against the skin, causing the skin to break, similarly to the failure of a thin shell. Based on this understanding, larger berries and berries with thinner skin should be more cracking susceptible, but research to date has not found any consistent relation between cracking susceptibility and these, or other such berry structural features. In fact, previous research in our lab has shown that the intact skin of the cracking susceptible variety ‘Flame seedless’ is capable of stretching much more without breaking (about 7.5% strain) when it is isolated from the flesh, compared to 1-2% strain associated with cracking in intact fruit. Based on multiple lines of evidence (partial soaking, soaking of sectioned berries or berries partially coated with Vaseline), we have also found that the berry skin does not need to be entire to crack, and hence does not crack as would a uniformly stressed thin shell. In this study, time-lapse microscopy and computer image analysis was used to measure the development of skin strain for grapes submerged in water. We found that skin strain was locally uneven (non-uniform) at the future site of crack initiation, and that this occurred substantially (20 minutes) prior to crack appearance. In contrast, strain was uniform in nearby non-cracked areas of fruit that cracked, as well as areas of fruit that did not crack. Due to technical limitations of the image analysis program however, these results were limited to measurements of 1D (linear) strain, and only applied to specific sites on the fruit skin. Further progress required the development of an image analysis program capable of measuring 2D (area) strain over a more complete surface of the fruit. Time-lapse images of over 40 fruit, including Flame seedless from 4 locations and DOV berries, was collected in 2015, but due to changes in personnel, the 2D image analysis program was not completed until the end of the 2015/16 academic year. We are currently re-analyzing the 2014 time-lapse data, which thus far has confirmed that 2D non-uniformity is also localized to the area of crack initiation and growth. These results indicate that the current thin shell model of fruit cracking is inadequate to explain the process of crack initiation, and further suggest that cracking susceptibility may be caused by factors such as localized pressures on the skin, rather than related to the strength of the skin itself.   The 2D approach however contains substantial additional information (such as the direction of the strains), which may be critical in understanding the cracking process itself, and we are continuing analysis of the 2014 data to determine the best approach to apply to the 2015 data. This analysis should be complete by fall of 2017.

 

The Impacts of Cluster-Thinning and Cluster-Zone Leaf Removal on the Hormone Content of Pinot Noir Grape Berries

AVF Proj. ID: 1662 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Laurent Delucby

During the third year, we confirmed that the relative developmental stage of a berry was not fully a function of the flowering time, but was more associated with seed development. Therefore, our study reinforced the use of a new seed index (SI), also named SB or seed weight-to berry weight ratio to describe berry developmental stage. We have identified and optimized a selection method for selecting individual fruits of cluster at discrete stages using multivariate statistical tools in order to minimize inherent biological variability existing within a grape cluster. The analysis of bioactive forms of auxin, abscisic acid, cytokinin, brassinosteroid, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid revealed a clear spatial and temporal distribution for most of them during the major critical steps of berry development.

Indeed, we were able to correlate the accumulation dynamics of most of them with major physiological events occurring during berry development. We were also successful in quantifying the effects of two common viticulture practices, cluster-thinning and cluster-zone leaf removal, on two major plant hormones responsible for the ripening initiation (ABA and Auxin). The analysis of the conjugate forms, precursors of, and catabolites of those bioactive analytes revealed specific regulatory pathways. These observations will lead to develop new working hypothesis to explain their mode of regulation in a tissue and developmental context. Based on our results, we will investigate in a near future other layers of biological information including gene expression. Encouraging results during the second year showing a peak ethylene during the ripening will need further investigation in order to prove the real contribution of endogenous ethylene production during grape berry development. From this study, we expect to have at least two peer-reviewed papers published as a result of this funded research and we will propose the results for oral presentation at the next conference of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture.

Evaluation of the Viticultural Performance of Newly Released Nematode Resistant Rootstocks in San Joaquin Valley Wine Grape Vineyards

AVF Proj. ID: 1968 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Lindsey Jordanby

As microscopic plant parasites, nematodes can cause extensive damage to grape vineyards. As the nematodes feed on and damage root cells, vine health, vigor, and productivity will decline. Nematodes affect many regions of California, but vineyards within the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) are particularly vulnerable to nematode damage due to typically sandy soil profiles and the wide range of parasitic nematode species found within the region, coupled with many soils being in agricultural production for decades. Traditionally, fumigation has been a viable method to provide relief from nematode pressur, but the California Department of Pesticide Regulation continues to regulate the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from field fumigants and fumigation is increasingly unavailable to growers with properties near schools or housing. Grape growers must begin to consider ways to reduce or eliminate the need to fumigate in order to keep up with regulations, but still ensure that nematode damage does not diminish the economic viability of their grape production. Rootstocks can provide a non-chemical alternative to resist soil pests like nematodes and maintain vine productivity. In recent years, several rootstocks have been released for commercial production including two USDA-ARS selections developed by David Ramming and Michael McKenry, RS-3 and RS-9, and the “GRN” series by Andrew Walker. Extensive work has examined nematode parasitism and sources of grape rootstock resistance, but how these rootstocks will perform with regards to viticultural characteristics in commercial plantings is still largely unknown. To promote the use of these new nematode resistant releases and see grape growers benefit from the years of research that went into developing these rootstocks, as well as be protected from increasing VOC emission regulation and economically damaging nematode pressure over time, field-based data on how these recent nematode resistant rootstock releases effect vine growth, yields, and fruit characteristics in commercial scale production is needed. In this study, on established trial site in a commercial high-wire, mechanically pruned Petit Verdot vineyard has consistently shown that Freedom generated the highest yields, but GRN4 also produces high yields. Freedom and the GRN selections generated significantly more growth than the comparatively weak performance of RS3, RS9, and 1103P at this site. 1103P was also under-ripe at the time of harvest, compared to the other selections. Seeing that several of the GRN selections were able to produce similar yields and fruit chemistry to Freedom, this indicates they may be a valuable tool for SJV grape growers to use when nematodes are a concern when planting. A second large-scale trial testing the GRN and RS selections was planted with Malbec in 2016, and will be evaluated as it matures. By using these two sites with a history of nematode pressure and managed under commercial growing conditions in non-fumigated fields, grape growers from around the SJV and all of California can benefit from the better understanding of how these rootstocks may effect vine vigor and berry maturation, and accordingly make the best choices to remain economically viable while using the best rootstocks available to resist nematodes.

Determine the Role of Auxin-Response Factor 4 in the Timing of Ripening Initiation in Vitis vinifera

AVF Proj. ID: 1983 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Laurent Delucby

Auxin-Response Factors (ARFs) together with Aux/IAA proteins mediate auxin responses including, floral development, fertilization, fruit set and development, and ripening process1. Among them, from our past research, the auxin response factor 4, VviARF4 a likely “key genetic regulator” during the onset of ripening2. The research project is proposed 1) to characterize the function of VviARF4 through genetic engineering, and to identify potential regulatory protein partners of ARF4* (see comments at the end of the document), 2) to determine the ripening-related genes targeted by VviARF4 during the onset of ripening, and 3) to evaluate the impact of altered expression of VviARF4 on the final fruit composition.

Since the commencement of the project in June 2016, significant efforts were made towards the objective 1. We first finalized the agreement for shipping the microvine lines with the USDA (See supplemental data). The signature of the Material Transfer Agreement is on its way between OSU and the CSIRO. Meanwhile, we concluded the logistics of the complex cloning strategies and finalized several vector constructs to transform the microvines designed to either turn on or turn off the activity of VviARF4 specifically during the fruit maturation stage. In the preliminary experiments, we are testing the gene silencing strategy in strawberry (Fragaria ananasa), which shows similar developmental pattern of ARF4 expression during the ripening initiation stage. The plasmid vectors designed to silence the endogenous FaARF4 and to over express the ARF4 from grapevine will into an aggressive Agrobacterium bacterium strain (EHA105).  We plan the transient transformation experiments in strawberry within three weeks from now. This will help to establish the role of ARF4 in another non-climacteric fruit model and will enable us to optimize our cloning strategy for the microvines.

The second part of the objective 1 is to find the regulatory protein partners of VviARF4 for which, we initiated the Yeast Two Hybrid Screens (Y2H). Through this approach, we expect to identify potential protein partners of VviARF4, which could have major regulatory role in VviARF4 gene function during the ripening initiation stage. We concluded the experiments to estimate the efficiency of library transformation in yeast and obtained satisfactory results. We are now preparing the final library in order to find the protein candidates that interact with ARF4.

Finally, as part of the objective 3, we are currently building our library of primary and secondary metabolites that will be analyzed when the microvines are transformed during the second year. The shipping of the microvines is expected by mid-February. Meanwhile, we are preparing the various media necessary to maintain the microvine calluses, to induce embryogenesis, to promote the regeneration, and to propagate the transformed materials. We anticipate being ready with the gene constructs cloned in to the Plant Gene Switch Vector to over-and under-express ARF4 before the microvine materials from CISRO, Australia arrive. The post-doctoral researcher is scheduled to fly to Australia in late March to get trained for the critical steps of the microvine transformation in collaboration with Dr. Thomas.

 

Evaluation of New Winegrape Varieties for Warm Climate Viticulture in the San Joaquin Valley

AVF Proj. ID: 1969 / /Cat.: ,
Primary Investigator(s): Lindsay Jordanby

Fifty six different red and white wine grape selections are being evaluated at the Kearney Agricultural Center, in Parlier, CA. These varieties were originally selected because they originate from warm-climate Mediterranean regions, and/or were believed to have traits that would be desirable in a warm climate wine region, like the San Joaquin Valley. Most of the selections were recently released to the industry from Foundation Plant Services and had not been previously evaluated in San Joaquin Valley or California. All vines are on 1103P rootstock, trained to bilateral cordons, and most were spur pruned. Beginning in 2013, certain varieties have also been subjected to simulated mechanical pruning. In 2016, the effect of not shoot-thinning some select varieties was evaluated. Grapes were harvested according sugar accumulation, with the harvest target for white varieties at 22° Brix, and reds at 25° Brix. At harvest, yield components, rot incidence, and basic juice chemistry were determined for all 56 varieties. The first harvest was on August 3, 2016 for whites (Petit Manseng) and August 12, 2016 for the reds (Ederena, spur and mechanical pruning). Harvest dates were similar or slightly later than the historically early 2014 and 2015 seasons. Total yields were lower than previous years for almost every variety. Yields for the spur pruned, shoot-thinned standard treatment ranged from 6.54 kg/vine (Carmenere) to 32.14 kg/vine (St. Emillion). Given the repeatedly delayed ripening, poor color accumulation, and lack of adaptability to mechanical pruning, Caladoc, Corvina Veronese, and Counoise are not recommended for the SJV. Segalin, a darkly pigmented variety that looks promising, responded well when not shoot thinned in the spring, while the white varieties had a range of responses to the lack of shoot thinning. These differences in response to more minimal canopy management offer insight into how these varieties may need to be managed in a commercial setting. For the mimicked mechanical pruning selections, yields were only sometimes greater than their hand pruned counterparts, since the greater, smaller clusters also tended to exhibit worse raisining and have smaller berries that reduce yields. Red and white varieties varied widely with respect to harvest date, pH, and titratable acidity. Petit Manseng is the most acidic, which consistently measures >10g/L titratable acidity in this trial every year, but other high acid white varieties include Arinto, Falanghina, and Fiano. Clonal selections of Charbono and Teroldego were grafted in 2014 and used to make wine in 2016. Differences in rot incidence, and ripening are more predominate in the Charbono selections, whereas the Teroldego clones are more similar to one another. Among the reds, these clonal selections, Morastell, Sagrantino, and Segalin consistently produces reasonable yields under deficit irrigation while producing high levels of desirable color and flavor compounds. From the work done in previous years, the most promising varieties continue to be narrowed down and some were made into wine at Constellation Brand’s experimental winery and the UC Davis teaching winery, which provides enological information and valuable extension opportunities in the future. The final juice chemistry and finished wines will be evaluated and presented during 2017. Four new selections were grafted over into more-promising selections at the start of 2016 (Assyrtiko, Nero d’Avola, Grand Noir, and Petit Bouschet). Extensive extension and outreach efforts have been made to promote this work, including being published in trade magazines and local newspapers, giving extensions, and hosting an educational wine tasting and field day.