Staff

UC Davis winemaker Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez sent in her recap of the 2019 harvest, her first one since joining the University.

Harvest 2019 has been a privilege and an unforgettable experience as my first harvest surrounded by very talented people, in this extraordinary facility, featuring advanced technology that has been possible due to generous, private donations. According to my colleagues, this harvest has been one of the busiest since the winery’s first harvest in 2010.

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) winemaker Charles “Chik” Brenneman retired from his position at the UC Davis Teaching and Research Winery on March 5, 2019 to pursue other winemaking opportunities and to have more time for personal interests. Brenneman joined the Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E) as staff winemaker in 2006, when the department offices and teaching winery were still located in Wickson Hall on the UC Davis campus.

Leticia Chacon-Rodriguez is the Department’s new winemaker/winery manager, a role previously held by Chik Brenneman who retired in March 2019. Leticia will oversee crush operations and wine production, teach enology students about winery operations and wine production, and assist faculty and researchers with winemaking research projects and trials.