Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis

?? Exciting news for the UC Davis Department of Viticulture & Enology! Associate Professor and Chair, Ben Montpetit, has been appointed the Richard M. Kunde Chair in Viticulture and Enology, honoring a legendary alumni and Sonoma County grape pioneer! This endowed chair unlocks funding for new opportunities in teaching and research. Cheers to continuing a legacy of excellence in wine education! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkfPY7AU ??

?? ? This week, Ben Montpetit, Chair of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology (V & E), presented to the UC Regents Public Engagement and Development Committee on the importance of stakeholder partnership to the success of the V&E program. Ben was joined by student leaders, Naomi, Kait, and Sydney who also met with UC President Drake to talk about wine, student accomplishments, and our department goals. They were also able to share about their experience working in the vineyards, research labs, and winery at UC Davis. During this event, our students also met with the UC Graduate and Professional Council President, Ryan, to talk about student issues and priorities. We want to give a special shout out to the alumni that allowed us to showcase their wines. Thank you to the UC Regents for welcoming our group and taking the time to learn more about the impact V & E is making locally and globally! ?? ?? Image Description 1: V & E chair and students posing with UC President Drake. Image Description 2: Students and UCGP President cheering with wine. Image Description 3-7: Alumni wine bottles and biographies.

??? Cheers to another successful harvest season! As we bid farewell to #harvest2024 in the vineyards, our attention now turns to crafting exceptional wines in the winery. From grape to glass, our passion and dedication shine through every step of the winemaking process. ???? #UCDavisVandE #Winemaking #Wine #Harevest Image Description: Wine grapes in bins across the RMI buildings with a cloudy sky in the background.

???? Come experience the UC Davis Wine Executive Program: From Grape to Table March 24 - 27, 2025 | Davis, CA The UC Davis Wine Executive Program is uniquely designed to teach the fundamentals of winemaking and management skills necessary to be profitable in today’s challenging and dynamic wine industry. Sessions are tailored to help industry leaders grow their businesses by expanding on such topics as building one’s financial acumen and expanding a company’s current marketing and branding strategies. More than 1,000 wine industry executives have attended this unique and informative program over the past twenty-plus years. Participants develop relationships with other key wine industry leaders that continue long after the program ends. Early Bird Registration Ends: December 31, 2024 Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/gSPkF2H4 Presented by University of California, Davis - Graduate School of Management and Department of Viticulture & Enology

Wine Business Monthly announced their 2024 Wine Industry Leaders. Several of those listed are connected to UC Davis V&E. Many of those honored are using innovative practices that are shaping the industry and enhancing sustainability. Read the article to learn more about the latest trends, challenges, and success stories. Special shout out to our V & E alumni, Remi Cohen, Aaron Fishleder, and Ria D'Aversa. We would also like to celebrate former V & E professor, Carole Meredith, for her groundbreaking contributions to grape genetics and Dr. Mason Earles for his innovative work, using real-time photos, research, and data collected to help viticulturists streamline operations and make better decisions. Cheers to all these leaders! https://ow.ly/uJfq50U1wj2

We were excited to host Carol and Paul Franzia at the UC Davis Winery a few weeks ago, during VEN124L, the winemaking class. Carol, a UC Davis V & E alumna, was impressed by the new facilities (she studied at UCD when the department was located in Wickson Hall and in the Enology Building in the central part of campus, before 2008). Both Carol and Paul have many years of winemaking experience. They even had a chance to help troubleshoot a finicky destemmer crusher. Carol and Paul recently opened Clark Ferrea Winery, with their other two siblings, in Escalon, along CA-120.

Carole Meredith, a pioneering grape geneticist, will be honored at WineBusiness Monthly’s Leadership Dinner on November 12, 2024, in Napa. Known for her groundbreaking research at UC Davis, Meredith identified the genetic origins of key grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Despite facing early discouragement in science due to her gender, she pursued plant genetics, making significant discoveries in viticulture. Meredith also co-founded Lagier Meredith winery with her husband. Reflecting on her career, she encourages the next generation of winemakers to take risks, emphasizing that her own success came from embracing the unexpected. Read the article by Sarah Brown: https://zurl.co/B3aI

A brand new episode of “That May Be The Chancellor” will drop tomorrow as I take a tour of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science!?? Thank you to the University of California, Davis College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis for their collaboration and allowing LeShelle and I to taste variations of wine made by our very own students. Image descriptions: 1) Chancellor May and LeShelle smile as they hold wine glasses with wine racks behind them. 2) Chancellor May discusses with Dr. Ben Montpetit how a winery works. 3) Chancellor May is accompanied by a student as he shovels grapes. 4) Chancellor May is outside with Dr. Ben Montpetit as they talk about vineyards.

Wine down with me in this episode of "That May Be The Chancellor" as I meet up with some of the students, staff and faculty from the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis — recognized as one of the best programs in the world. ?? https://lnkd.in/gMYAmAhv Video description: Chancellor May tours the winery and vineyard, learns about the winery's cutting-edge technology and sustainability practices, and even helps crush grapes before sampling the final product with his "partner in wine."

Check out Chancellor May and LeShelle touring the nation's #1 Viticulture and Enology Department. Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis https://lnkd.in/gMgZzC5A