News - VEN

Awards and Announcements

The following is a list of awards, honors, and announcements about Viticulture and Enology Faculty, Staff, Students, Executive Leadership Board members & UCCE Advisors.

Latest News

Awards and Announcements

Viticulture and Enology

The following is a list of awards, honors, and announcements about Viticulture and Enology Faculty, Staff, Students, Executive Leadership Board members & UCCE Advisors.

The Extension team started off the first half of 2024 at the Unified Symposium on January 24 and 25. The Department had a booth, where we got to meet with a lot of attendees, and hosted our annual reception, where we got to catch up with many alumni and friends! We also announced our new department chair, Ben Montpetit!

Research Profile: Block Lab

Viticulture and Enology

The Block lab is working in several areas related to wine. First, we are continuing our work with the Oberholster lab trying to gain a deeper understanding of phenolic extraction in red wines to be able to control the finished wine phenolic profile more efficiently. Over the last decade, we have examined the impact of cap and juice temperature on phenolic extraction, as well as the impact of cap management (also in conjunction with E. & J.

Course Profile: VEN 126

Viticulture and Enology

The Physical and Chemical Stability of Wine (a.k.a. VEN 126 Wine Stability) course deals with the most important physical, chemical, and enzymatic reactions in juices and wines, together with the theory and principles associated with the adjustment of acidity, fining, stabilization for shipping, and the clarification of wines. The course provides students with a scientific basis and a quantitative perspective of our understanding of the physical and chemical reactions in wines, other than ethanol and malolactic fermentations.

Student Profile: Justin Ito

Viticulture and Enology

Student standing: Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior/Graduate etc.
2nd-year master's degree student

Degree/Focus/interest areas:
Viticulture and Enology

Where are you from originally?
Los Angeles, CA

What brought you to UC Davis?
I knew I wanted to learn everything there is to know about wine and Davis is the best place to start! The program is well-rounded, and I love learning about the reasoning behind important decisions in the winery.