National Grape Research Alliance

If you subscribe to the National Grape Research Alliance newsletter, your February issue awaits! In it, we share the heart-stopping effects of federal funding and staffing cuts that were executed (then rescinded) this month; reveal the “cascade of symptoms” that unfurls in grapevines infected with red blotch; and herald the revival of the National Viticulture & Enology Leadership Community and give details of its upcoming virtual conference. Don't subscribe? Sign up now! https://lnkd.in/gfffnsHX

Our January 2025 newsletter hit inboxes this morning! Click to meet this year's Rich Smith Award winner, Emily Pelton (Hodson) of Veritas Vineyards and Winery; learn how a 100-year-old grapevine cutting unlocked the origin story of Pierce's disease in California; be among the first to know about the new directory of V&E extension specialists on the National Grape Research Alliance website and more! https://lnkd.in/gfffnsHX

We are thrilled to announce that the ninth annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented earlier this week to Emily Pelton (Hodson), head winemaker at Veritas Vineyards and Winery, a co-owner of Flying Fox Vineyards and Winery and an active industry leader, including representing the Virginia Wine Board on the National Grape Research Alliance Board of Directors and serving as our newly elected Vice Chair. The Rich Smith Award is the highest honor bestowed by NGRA, WINEAMERICA and WINEGRAPE GROWERS OF AMERICA—three organizations that Rich Smith helped to establish prior to his passing in December 2015. Together, we partner with the Smith Family (Valley Farm Management, an NGRA member-organization) to annually confer the prestigious award on an industry member whose spirit and accomplishments reflect the passion, commitment and collaboration Rich was known for. And like Rich, this year's honoree is writing her legacy in real time, right before our eyes. Emily learned the art of winemaking from her father, patriarch of Veritas Vineyards, and the science from Virginia Tech, under the guidance of Bruce Zoecklein. Her top-rated wines have helped to put Virginia on the map as a serious wine region. Emily also was part of the creation of the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange, which gives local winemakers access to regional production-scale research facilities where they can conduct their own research under the guidance of a research enologist. It has undoubtedly led to accolades for Virginia wine like Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year for Charlottesville, VA, and the Monticello AVA in 2023. ? Emily led the charge, starting in 2021 (with her colleague Ben Jordan), to execute the Virginia Wine Board’s vision to develop winegrape varieties that are resistant to downy mildew. She continues to be a key industry advisor on the $1 million program, conducted in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and led by grape breeder Surya Sapkota, to take Virginia into a more sustainable future. We are so proud to work with Emily, a rare leader who actively leverages science as a means to advance the industry. We’re in awe of all that she’s accomplished and can’t wait to see what her ambitious future has in store—not only for her own businesses, state and region, but for all of us in the grape and wine industry. See the complete press release here: https://lnkd.in/dz5QZrAQ

The last business day of the last month of 2024 brings the last National Grape Research Alliance newsletter of the year! Take a look at how some scientists are making their work accessible to kids of all ages. Learn how the USDA California Climate Hub is identifying climate change-related research needs–and gaps–for winegrape production in the state. Find out about federal and state programs, like the Beagle Brigade, affecting grape research. Subscribe today and make sure your new year brings you industry-specific science news every month! https://bit.ly/3iQwewr

No turkey coma here--our November newsletter hit inboxes this morning! Click to shadow our tour of the #graperesearch facilities of Oregon State University and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Corvallis; consider adding NGRA to your holiday gift list this #GivingTuesday; hear about new tech that can listen in on insects’ activity, even below-ground. https://bit.ly/3iQwewr

No tricks, all treats in the October NGRA newsletter, which landed in email inboxes this morning! Click to read about our SLF Field Trip earlier this month (and see our creepy photos), learn about the first gene-edited grapevines planted in Europe–and why it’s a big deal, and find out how Oregon State University’s new wildfire smoke lab came about. https://bit.ly/3iQwewr

Our September newsletter hit inboxes this morning! Click to consider recent headlines about the impacts of climate change on what we farm, eat and drink. Turn your attention from vine nutrition inputs to the often overlooked outputs. Learn what it takes to be the Rich Smith Award recipient…and how (and by when) to nominate a go-getter. And sign up to receive your own grape research news on the last business day of every month! https://bit.ly/3iQwewr

Nominations are open for the Rich Smith Award! 2025 is the 10th anniversary of the passing of Rich Smith (Valley Farm Management), the iconic grape grower and vintner after whom the award is named. Rich tirelessly worked to shape public policy and scientific research to advance the American grape and wine industry. He also helped to establish the National Grape Research Alliance, WINEAMERICA and Winegrape Growers of America, the organizations that confer the annual award with the Smith Family. If you know an industry representative who exemplifies the passion, commitment and collaboration Rich was known for, nominate them by October 30! https://lnkd.in/gaJxe4p4 Photo: Rich (right) is shown here circa 2014 with John Martini (Anthony Road Wine Company), the first Rich Smith Award recipient.

The August NGRA newsletter hit inboxes this morning. Click to discover why building a sense of community matters to NGRA, pay your respects to two grape heroes–one from industry, one from academia–who passed away, find out why the EPA is considering delisting the fungicide mancozeb for use in grape and how you can weigh in. https://bit.ly/3iQwewr

What might you find in NGRA's July newsletter, which hit inboxes this morning? Thoughts on scientists as influencers and artists. Tips on what you can do right now to help stop the spread of spotted lanternfly. News about how some federal agencies are collaborating to deploy satellite data to get ahead of wildfires. Click to read or subscribe now! https://bit.ly/3iQwewr