Viticulture and Enology | BFTV Cluster News

Viticulture & Enology Winter Extension Update

The UC Davis V & E Extension Team organized and presented a few programs in the fall. On November 20, 2024, we were in Temecula! Megan Bartlett, Dave Block, Ron Runnebaum, Akif Eskalen, Tian Tian, and Axel Herrera were the presenters. There were about 100 attendees from both Riverside and San Diego Counties! The topics covered ranged from the latest information on grapevine trunk diseases, powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot in vineyards; to how to properly clean and sanitize and do it more sustainably; to irrigation management, vine nutrition and regenerative practices.

Job Opening: Assistant Professor of Applied Viticulture

Viticulture and Enology

As part of UC Davis’s commitment to hire leading research faculty with an outstanding commitment to teaching and service that meets the needs of our diverse state and student population, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California announces an Assistant Professor faculty position (9-month) in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a strong background in any current or emerging area that will fit within our department’s disciplinary focus in Applied Viticulture.

Awards & Honors

Viticulture and Enology

We are excited to share some wonderful news from the world of viticulture and enology! Associate Professor and Chair, Ben Montpetit, has been appointed the Richard M. Kunde Chair in Viticulture and Enology (V & E), honoring a legendary alumnus and Sonoma County grape pioneer! This prestigious appointment is a testament to Richard’s decades of dedication, leadership, and groundbreaking contributions to the wine industry.

Welcome to our new Viticulture & Enology faculty and staff!

Viticulture and Enology

Liang Chen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Wine Chemistry

I am a wine chemist, researcher, and educator in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis.

Congratulations to this year's Viticulture and Enology Scholarship Recipients

Viticulture and Enology

Congratulations to all students who received scholarships and awards this year. The Department is grateful to the generous donors who make these opportunities possible.

The Domaine Carneros Le Rêve Scholarship Award
Rachel Smith

David E. Gallo Educational Enhancement Award
Victoria Lasch

Heck Memorial Scholarship
Nikita Kodjak
Chris Severt

International Wine and Food Science Award
Fallon Ely

2024 Harvest Recap

Viticulture and Enology

Thank you to everyone who participated in 2024’s harvest, from staff and faculty to all our students, researchers, and scholars. We appreciate all their hard work.

We had the great surprise of having Chancellor May and his lovely wife tour the winery in an episode of “That May Be the Chancellor”.

Fall Outreach Events

Viticulture and Enology

During the fall quarter, our outreach and communications team had an incredible experience visiting over 12 community colleges and high schools to attend college fair events. Alejandra engaged with future students, sharing the amazing opportunities in the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology (V & E). On these trips, our team brought new marketing material tailored for our different audiences that helped outline the major requirements and career opportunities.

Course Profile: VEN 101A – Viticultural Practices

Viticulture and Enology

Grapevine cultivar diversity is extraordinarily large. Whether we talk about wine, table, or raisin cultivars, as well as the rootstocks on which they are grafted, the diversity is remarkable—not only in fruit and enological characteristics but also in their performance in the field. Choosing the right cultivar and rootstock for a specific vineyard is a complex decision that requires a deep understanding of the plant materials, the vineyard’s terroir, and the market.

Student Profile: Kaitlin Libbey

Viticulture and Enology

Student Standing
Second-year Ph.D. student.

Degree/Focus: Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group, focusing on climate change and viticulture. My research explores how climate influences quality traits in Chardonnay grapes, specifically acids, polyphenols, and aromatic precursors.

Hometown:
San Francisco, CA.

Alumni Profile: Jeff Mangahas

Viticulture and Enology

Year and degree of graduation:
2003, Masters in Food Science, Viticulture and Enology

Current job title/company:
VP, Director of Winemaking, Williams Selyem Winery

What have you been up to since you graduated?
I have been focusing on my career and had amazing experiences at Dutton Goldfield Winery, Hartford Family Winery, and now Williams Selyem.