UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology

?? ??? Join us for a cozy virtual chat with V & E Department Chair, Ben Montpetit! Dive into the latest updates and discover how our faculty & students tackle today’s pressing challenges in the wine industry. Got questions? Ben's got answers! Those who join our Coffee and Conversations event will automatically be entered in a raffle to win fun swag that showcases your Aggie pride! Don’t miss out—RSVP by through here: https://lnkd.in/exzpf3VC by April 9 and connect with fellow Aggies! #AggiePride #ucdavisvande

We are thrilled to welcome Ashley Stokes, professor and dean emeritus at the University of Tennessee, as our new dean on July 1st - following the upcoming retirement of Dean Helene Dillard. I am looking forward to connecting Dr. Stokes with our alumni, friends, and partners!

Celebrating Leadership, Mentorship, and Impact We are proud to announce Dr.?Sue Ebeler, M.S. ’85, Ph.D. ’93?as the recipient of the?2024 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award! For more than 30 years at?UC Davis, Sue has championed belonging, mentorship, and opportunity. As a professor and associate dean, she has empowered countless students, especially women, to thrive. Her leadership has made a lasting impact on the university community. Following her drive to empower others, Sue has chosen to direct the?$25,000 award prize?toward two programs that support student success: ???Aggie Jumpstart, which she co-created to promote inclusive excellence ???Aggie Ambassadors, a program that builds leadership skills and community The?Women & Philanthropy Impact Award?recognizes faculty and staff who advance women and strengthen the university. This award is made possible by donor support. Watch her video and hear her story here:?https://lnkd.in/gQMHpj5Q #WomenAndPhilanthropy #UCDavis #Leadership #Mentorship #WisdomOfWomen #Philanthropy

Meet Mirjam F., a second-year master's student in Viticulture and Enology (V & E), and one of our scholarship recipients. Mirjam shared, "The Fredrick Flossfeder Scholarship has given me the incredible opportunity to study at UC Davis. I completed my bachelor's degree in Geisenheim, Germany, and am now pursuing my master's in Davis. My time here has given me valuable insights into how winemaking varies across different regions and climates. However, what has impacted me the most is meeting so many inspiring people—whether faculty members, industry professionals, and, most importantly, my fellow classmates. I am grateful for these experiences that will stay with me for a lifetime." We are so happy that you are part of our graduate cohort! ?? Image Description: Mirjam's photo in the vineyard holding a bottle of wine.

On April 16, 2025, we will host "Bringing Low and No-Alcohol Wines to Market: Key Considerations and Challenges" at the UC Davis Conference Center. This all-day seminar explores the journey from technology to market in the development of low and no-alcohol wines. Topics include de-alcoholization technologies, insights from winemakers on implementation, the business aspects of bringing products to market, and the successes and challenges of production and marketing. Agenda and registration information can be found at: https://lnkd.in/g6y_Y_An Image Description: Bringing Low and No-Alcohol Wines to Market: Key Considerations and Challenges, April 16, 2025 with an image of a vineyard in the background. @bevzero | @abvtechnology | @abvtechnologyna | @trinchero_family_estates | @tomorrowcellars?

Sue Ebeler, associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs, has spent more than 30 years lifting up students, and now it’s her turn to be celebrated! She’s the winner of the Women & Philanthropy Impact Award for her dedication to mentorship, inclusion and student success. “I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, but more than anything, I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and uplift our students and staff,” Ebeler said. “Creating spaces where they feel valued, encouraged and empowered has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.” True to form, she’s paying it forward – directing the prize money to Aggie Jumpstart and Aggie Ambassadors, two programs that help students find their path and thrive. Congrats, Sue!

?? ?? AI is transforming vineyards from the ground up! From tracking plant health to detecting viruses before they devastate crops, V & E Assistant Professor Mason Earles is using AI to revolutionize the wine industry. ?? Dive into his research through @MorningAgClips ' latest article: https://lnkd.in/gadxU2p8

The Department of Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis and Napa Valley Vintners will present On the Road in Napa on Tuesday, April 22nd at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena. On The Road programs are educational seminars that help us to communicate with the California grape and wine industries by bringing faculty to different regions of California. We present relevant topics or current research and, at the same time, listen to the issues that are important to grape-growing and winemaking professionals. RSVP here: https://ow.ly/sV3z50VfNP0 Image Description: On the Road in Napa on April 22nd with green grapes in the background #viticulture #enology #wine #winemaking #grapes #grapegrowing #sensoryscience #californiayeaststrains #heatresilience #smoke #vineyardfloormanagement @napavinters

Join us for the Women in Wine Symposium: "Breaking Tradition" at UC Davis! ?? Date: April 26, 2025 ? Time: 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM ?? Location: UC Davis ?? Price: $15 students | $40 general Get ready for a day of inspiring speakers, networking, panel discussions, and a wine reception! ??? Let’s celebrate women shaping the future of wine. ???? Save the date and register here: https://ow.ly/N8Yp50VcQlY Image Description: Wine bottle with California poppies wrapping around it. Words: Women in Wine, Symposium "Breaking Tradition" at UC Davis, April 26, 2025, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. $15 students, $40 general, speakers, networking, panel discussion, wine reception

Last month, at our ‘Exploring Different Aspects of Vine Health’ educational event, V & E faculty discussed the future of grape breeding. Dr. Luis Diaz-Garcia talked about developing new grape varieties that resist diseases and could be used to improve wine blends. Dr. Dario Cantù highlighted the value of wild grape species in breeding grapes with better disease resistance, drought tolerance, and other important traits for vineyard health. Read more about their research in today’s Wine Business article: https://lnkd.in/g6NnAEC5