Extension and Outreach through UC Davis Viticulture and Enology On the Road Events

AVF Proj. ID: 1685 / /Cat.:
Primary Investigator(s): Karen Block, Anita Oberholsterby

At the end of the 2016-2017 funding cycle, we will have produced the four On-the-road educational events proposed in the AVF Extension and Outreach grant. In addition, we completed all proposed events for the 2015-2016 funding cycle, before the end of the grant period (as proposed), described in last year’s annual report.

The first On-the-road event in the current (2016-2017) grant cycle took place in Madera. Karen Block worked with Lindsay Jordan, Area Viticulture Advisor for Madera, Merced, and Mariposa counties, to determine topics of regional interest and invited individuals working in those areas to speak at this educational event. Turnout was not as high as expected, due to American Vineyard Magazine’s Fruit and Nut Expo occurring nearby in Fresno. We were not aware of this until four weeks before the event, and had other circumstances with scheduled speakers, so we were unable to reschedule. Those who did attend found it quite informative. Lindsay Jordan spoke about Alternative Winegrape Varieties for a Warm Climate, Anita Oberholster spoke about the Impact of Winery Wastewater Irrigation on Soil, Grape Nutrition, and Grape and Wine Quality, Ben Montpetit gave a summary of his background and the types of research he will pursue, Matt Fidelibus spoke about, “Shade from trellised vines as a weed suppressive cropping system,” David Block talked about cap management in red wine fermentations, and Kaan Kurtural spoke about the advantages of vineyard mechanization.

We are planning to complete three more On the road events before the end of the current funding cycle. The first event is scheduled to take place in Acampo, at the Constellation Woodbridge Winery, on February 28, 2017, the second is scheduled for March 24, 2017, in Napa County, at the Yountville Community Center, and the last is scheduled in Paso Robles at J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, between March 20 and April 15, 2017. Karen Block has been working with Paul Verdegaal and Stephanie Bolton for the Lodi event; Monica Cooper, Michelle Novi, and Sonya DeLuca for the event in Napa; and Mark Battany and folks at J. Lohr for the Paso Robles event. The event in Lodi is focused on viruses and diseases and the speakers will be John Roncoroni, Maher Al Rwahnih, Kari Arnold, Monica Cooper, Neil McRoberts, and Anita Oberholster. For the Napa County event, the confirmed speakers are Kerri Steenwerth, Kaan Kurtural, Ben Montpetit, Andrew Waterhouse, Andrew Walker, and Anita Oberholster. Mark Battany and Karen Block are still working on dates and speakers for the Paso Robles On the road event.