January 2026

Selina Wang

Selina Wang Named Faculty Director of the UC Davis Olive Center

Food Science and Technology

For nearly 20 years, the Olive Center at the University of California, Davis, has worked to improve the olive and olive oil industry through research, education and outreach. The center, known for its work in sustainable olive growing and improving olive oil quality, has named chemist Selina Wang as its faculty director to guide the next phase of research and innovation for the state’s growing olive industry.

A person handing another person an award

Fall 2025 Awards & Honors

Viticulture and Enology
 

In 2025, WineBusiness Monthly selected leaders in the industry “who give the wine industry hope for the future, that we can acknowledge that times are tough and the headlines are less-than-positive and still find inspiration in those who buck trends, find innovative solutions and push all those they meet to do and be better.” One category celebrates mentors who generously share their knowledge, shaping not only skilled professionals but passionate ambassadors for wine.

UC Davis Viticulture and Enology students, staff and interns pose behind bins of grapes in the vineyard

2025 Harvest Highlights

Viticulture and Enology

Every harvest brings its own unique season and a wonderful group of students to work with. We are grateful to everyone who contributed this year: staff, faculty, students, researchers, and scholars. Between August 13 and October 16, 2025, we processed 54.4 U.S. tons of fruit across 20 grape cultivars.

Attendees listening to a man present at an event

January 2026 Extension & Industry Relations Update

Viticulture and Enology
 

The UC Davis Viticulture & Enology (V&E) Extension Team organized and presented a couple of programs in the fall. On December 10, 2025, we were On the Road to the Foothills! It was a beautiful sunny day, just above the fog line. Megan Bartlett, Ben Montpetit, James Campbell, Chris Chen, Ha Nguyen, and Mackenzie Patton were the presenters.

Man stands in front of a grapevine talking to a group of students

Fall 2025 Student Outreach

Viticulture and Enology
 

We kicked off the fall quarter with our annual department BBQ, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for a lively start to the year. Our DEVO and WIW students took charge of the grill, while faculty and staff warmly welcomed both new and returning students. Liz, the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E) advisor, shared thoughtful words as she embraced this enthusiastic new cohort. Our Chair, Ben, concluded the event with encouraging remarks that set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Victoria Lasch sits on a barrel in the UC Davis Teaching & Research Winery

Student Profile: Victoria Lasch

Viticulture and Enology

Student standing: 
Second-year master’s student (graduating in Spring 2026)

Degree/Focus/interest areas: 
Viticulture and Enology, primarily interested in winemaking.

Where are you from originally? 
I am from Issaquah, WA, and have been based there for about a decade, although my family is originally from Northern California.

What brought you to UC Davis? 

Ted Reiger poses for a picture in front of a body of water with a tree in the background

Ted Rieger, freelance writer and photographer, retires after 41 years of covering wine industry

Viticulture and Enology

Anyone who regularly attended our departmental extension events over the last 30 years would recognize Ted Rieger as a constant presence. Maybe more importantly, those not attending our events could rely on Ted’s accounts of those programs in industry publications such as Wine Business Monthly, Vineyard & Winery Management, and Wines & Vines. After four decades of freelance writing, including nearly one thousand wine-industry-related articles, Ted has decided to retire.

ISAPP logo and picture of Dave Mills

Mills wins 2026 ISAPP Sanders Award for Advancing Biotic Science

Food Science and Technology

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) board of directors is pleased to announce the selection of the winner of the 2026 Sanders Award for Advancing Biotic Science: Prof. David Mills, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor and researcher at University of California, Davis, USA. Through his 30-year career in microbiology, Prof. Mills has been a leader in elucidating the genomics of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, and has worked diligently to translate scientific insights into practical applications.