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. There were about 35 attendees from the UCANR Central Sierra Region! The topics covered included: the latest information on rootstocks and drought resistance, sensory evaluation, the future of grapevine red blotch research, vineyard mothballing, shade cloth and irrigation impacts, and fermentation management outcomes from the use of redox control. Thank you to the speakers for traveling and sharing their expertise; Matt Zaldivar and Candyce Rodrick at Casino Mine Ranch Winery for their help with hosting this program; and Mackenzie Patton, Central Sierra Integrated Pest Management Advisor, for discussing relevant issues and potential speakers.
On December 2, 2025, we co-hosted, with our V&E student advisor, Liz Price, a mini job fair for our students. We would like to thank all the companies that participated! Each company representative gave a 2-3 min overview of their company and positions available and then the students were encouraged to meet the representatives at their tables.
At the January 2026 Unified Symposium in Sacramento, the Departments of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, Fresno State, and Washington State, along with the Oregon Wine Research Institute at Oregon State University, will be co-hosting a Unified academic alumni, student, and friends’ reception on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register to attend, click here. Thank you to ETS Labs, Gallo and Omnia Specialties USA for sponsoring the reception. On January 28 and 29, 2026, the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology will have a booth in the exhibit hall. Please come visit us at booth #928!
On February 18, 2026, the Department of Viticulture and Enology will present an On Campus Grape Day with the UCANR Viticulture Program Team (Viticulture Advisors, Cooperative Extension Specialists, and UCD Viticulture and Enology Faculty working on (or interested in) viticulture-related topics). For the latest draft of the agenda and to register, click here. It is a great way to hear about what researchers are working on and what they see as emerging issues around the state.
Upcoming programs
On Campus Programs:
February 18, 2026: On Campus Grape Day
April 15, 2026: Current and Upcoming Challenges in the Wine Industry
June 3, 2026: Grape Day at the Oakville Station
On the Road Programs in 2026:
On the Road in Paso Robles: February 25, 2026, Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles
On the Road in Mendocino County: March 4, 2026, Hopland REC
On the Road in Lodi: March 11, 2026, Burgundy Hall, Lodi Grape Festival
Grounds, Lodi, CAOn the Road in Napa: April 28, 2026, CIA/Copia, Napa
We’d like to thank our Extension Partners, without whom we would not be able to bring you these programs. Aggie Gold: J.Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Gallo, Constellation Brands, and the American Vineyard Foundation and Aggie Blue: O’Neill Vintners and Distillers, Vineyard 511, and Enartis.