Appreciating 2025; Public Ag Research; EU Biotech Rules

December 2025

Signs of hope.*

APPRECIATING 2025

When I was a kid, wishing for Friday or summer break or the Christmas holidays, my mom would warn me not to “wish my life away.” As I get older, I see the value in appreciating what’s so before rushing on to what’s next. So, rather than gleefully ushering out this challenging year, I thought I’d look back at all we were able to accomplish in 2025...and dare to dream for a brighter 2026.

What’s in This Issue?

Scroll down to find these stories and more

Our inventory of funded grape research has a new tally (141 projects funded!)
How does federal funding for public ag research work?
EU nears an agreement on modernizing its biotechnology regulations for plants
Many grant programs are accepting RFPs

First, it has to be said: 2025 was tough. The grape and wine industry struggled—thus, so did state and regional trade associations, cooperatives and commissions and their programs for research grants and other things. Thousands of federal scientists lost their jobs, and government research funding faltered. Many call it “the year of lost research.”

But NGRA managed to keep our research mission not just alive, but vibrant. We pivoted to deliver most notably on our Extension & Outreach priority, continuing to advance our industry through science education, university extension and industry outreach. To name a few highlights, in 2025 we…

Launched the Extension Directory on our website, enabling connections to and between the more than 200 extension professionals in the U.S.
Reinvigorated the National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Community, stimulating networking, idea-sharing and professional development for more than 50 extension and outreach professionals every three months with virtual meetings starting last April.
Revived our inventory of funded grape research to bring transparency to the landscape of what projects are getting funded, including topic areas, primary investigators, and funding sources and amounts, nationwide.
Organized and convened the NGRA-UC Davis Grapevine Improvement Workshop on Nov. 5, illuminating the state of the science in grapevine breeding and biotechnology with experts from around the world and adjacent specialty crops.

Of course, we continued to support new research as best we could. We provided 16 letters of support for grant applications in 2025—a surprisingly high number, given that federal programs were offline most of the year. Many of those letters were in support of regional projects with broad industry relevance, tracking with our research priorities and underscoring our national scope. And we have two high-priority projects in the pipeline for FY25 Specialty Crop Research Initiative funding. Keep your fingers crossed that, when the SCRI awards are finally announced, these grape research projects are among them.

In 2026, we plan to rev up our research engine as we also grow our organization. We’re looking at new ideas for and sources of funding to build capacity and enable our highest aspirations in the years to come. We seek to build a bigger tent and invite more and different kinds of people, organizations and institutions to join us in advancing the industry through science.

As 2025 comes to a close, your support is something my mom would’ve wanted me to acknowledge. Whether you faithfully read our newsletter every month, donated to grape research this year, attended an event we produced, or made an annual membership contribution that helped to sustain NGRA in these tough times, you made a difference. Rather than rush to turn the page, let me first say thank you. Your belief in NGRA and our research mission is everything.

Now, let’s hope 2026 brings brighter days. Happy new year!

Donnell Brown
President

*ABOUT THE IMAGE

Is there anything more hopeful than a ripening grape cluster? This beauty was among the diverse selections at the Wolfskill Repository in Winters, CA, last summer.

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

UPDATED! Our Inventory of Funded Grape Research

Check out our inventory of grape research funded via grant programs. This living document provides a comprehensive snapshot into the ways scientists in America are working to advance the grape and wine industry through science. Our spreadsheet reflects all the grape research that’s been funded at regional, state and federal levels in 2025, totaling 141 projects and counting. It features helpful categories, running tallies and sorting capabilities. It’s a work in progress, so if you have a tip about funding sources and/or grant awards that aren’t reflected in the spreadsheet, let us know!

A Fifth of USDA Workers Are Gone...So Far

The USDA lost nearly one-fifth of its workforce in the first half of this year, according to a report by the Office of the Inspector General. Of the more than 110,000 people employed by the department at the end of fiscal year 2024, more than 20,000 left between January and June, including 15,114 who accepted the voluntary deferred resignation program. Of those who departed, 1,647 worked for USDA’s in-house science agency, the Agricultural Research Service, and 169 held positions at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which administers extramural research funding programs. These figures represent attrition of 23% and 35% for their respective agencies. Since the OIG report doesn’t include resignations or terminations that occurred in the second half of the year, the scale of attrition may be even greater, given the impending agencywide reorganization, The New York Times notes.

Weather and Climate Research Center To Be Dissolved

The Trump administration plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, one of the world’s leading climate research labs. Established in 1960, the center is responsible for many of the biggest scientific advances in humanity’s understanding of weather and climate. Its research aircraft and sophisticated computer models of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans are widely used in forecasting weather events and disasters around the country, and its scientists study a broad range of topics, including air pollution, ocean currents and global warming. But Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, called the center “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country” and said that the government would be “breaking up” the institution, moving any vital activities such as weather research to another entity or location. One climate scientist is quoted saying, “Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.”

US Dietary Guidelines Delayed Until 2026

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been pushed to early 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS and USDA publish the guidelines jointly every five years; they outline the government’s official ‌recommendations for a healthy diet, shaping school lunches, medical advice and nutrition standards. The updated guidelines have been expected since summer, but last month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Trump administration would release them in December. The new delay is due to the recent government shutdown, a federal official said.

USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) just launched a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and long-term productivity. The funding includes $400 million made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million by the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The program addresses whole-farm resource concerns through support for voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation plans. “For too long, divided and highly specific funding pools have unintentionally encouraged isolated, practice-by-practice conservation, rather than holistic management,” NRCS explains. Whole-farm conservation planning is the centerpiece of the program, ensuring that all resource concerns (soil, water, and natural vitality) are addressed together, not piecemeal. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted via the new single regenerative application process.

EU Reaches Agreement on Regulating New Genomic Techniques

The European Council and European Parliament this month reached a provisional agreement on a regulatory framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) like gene editing, significantly modernizing the EU’s agri-food rules. It establishes two categories for NGT plants, including grapevines. Category 1 (NGT-1) plants will see a simpler path to commercialization, because they could occur naturally, similar to those that are the product of conventional breeding. Category 2 (NGT-2) plants—those with more complex modifications—will remain subject to the full set of existing GMO rules. The provisional agreement will have to be endorsed by the Council and Parliament before it can be formally adopted.

World’s First On-Farm Robotics Hub for Viticulture Launches in Sonoma

Sonoma County Winegrowers and Reservoir this month announced the launch of Reservoir Farms, Sonoma, the world’s first on-farm robotics and automation hub for viticulture located in the heart of California wine country. By adding Reservoir Farms, Sonoma to Sonoma County Winegrowers’ Farm of the Future, the organizations say, “a powerful living lab is being created where growers, startups and industry partners work together to solve today’s toughest challenges and build resilience for the future.” Reservoir Farms, Sonoma will feature fabrication facilities, an engineering workshop and 14 acres of managed vineyard test blocks where robotics startups and ag-tech leaders like John Deere can work side-by-side to develop, iterate and validate field-ready technologies.

Iconic California Viticulturist Bob Steinhauer Dies at 84

Robert “Bob” Steinhauer, an iconic figure in California viticulture, died on Nov. 28, 2025. He was 84. Bob earned his B.S. in Viticulture (1965) and M.S. in Plant Science (1969) from California State University, Fresno. He was among the first students to complete the newly created viticulture degree, developed by Professor Vince Petrucci, making him one of Fresno State’s first college-trained viticulturists. His five-decade career reshaped modern winegrowing and elevated the profession of vineyard management. Wine Business Monthly reports that “colleagues described him as a ‘font of knowledge,’ a man who knew every inch of Napa Valley and could tell you anything about a vineyard’s past, present, or potential.” NGRA Research Chair Nick Dokoozlian, Vice President of Grape, Wine and Beverage Research at GALLO, is quoted saying, “Before Bob, we were all farmers. Bob became the first winegrower.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Vineyard Foundation’s Justin Meyer Graduate Student Research Fellowship. A celebration of life is planned for Spring 2026.

Steve Gross Is Interim President and CEO of Wine Institute

This month, the Board of Directors of Wine Institute, an NGRA member-organization, appointed Steve Gross as Interim President and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Steve brings nearly four decades of leadership and institutional knowledge to the role, having served at Wine Institute since 1986. Most recently, he has served as Vice President, State Relations, overseeing Wine Institute’s public policy and advocacy efforts across 49 states outside of California. The organization will continue its national search for a permanent successor to longtime President and CEO Robert P. Koch, who is retiring at the end of the year. The Board anticipates completing the search within its current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2026.

Ohio State Announces a New Enology Professor

Cristobal Onetto has joined the Departments of Food Science and Technology and Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as an Assistant Professor in Enology and Fermentation Sciences. He earned his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Adelaide, Australia, and has held winemaking roles in Chile, Spain and Australia. Most recently, he served as a Senior Research Scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute. His research focuses on microbial interactions in fermentation environments, yeast and bacterial ecology, physiology and genomics, and the microbial factors that influence fermentation performance and the quality of fermented beverages. Cristobal will be based on the Wooster campus starting Feb. 1, 2026.

Michelle Heck Is the New Director of VT’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

Michelle Heck, an internationally recognized plant pathologist and agricultural researcher, has been appointed Director of the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. Michelle previously served as Adjunct Full Professor of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology at Cornell University and the Boyce Thompson Institute and lead scientist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), where her research shaped national priorities for managing emerging plant diseases and improving agricultural resilience. She is known for her pioneering work on plant-pathogen interactions and vector biology through a career spanning more than two decades in molecular genetics, virology and crop protection. She officially begins her new position on June 1, 2026, leading efforts to enhance the school’s integration of teaching, research, and Extension to serve students, producers and other stakeholders.

Nominate Someone for an ASEV-ES Merit Award

The American Society for Enology and Viticulture-Eastern Section (ASEV-ES) is accepting nominations for its two Merit Awards:

The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of an ASEV-ES member who has meritoriously contributed to the advancement of enology, viticulture or both.
The Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the wine and grape industry through teaching, research, extension, administration, industry leadership, entrepreneurship or volunteerism. Awardees need not necessarily be an ASEV-ES member.

Send nominations to i nfo@asev-es.org by Jan. 14, 2026. Include the nominee’s full name, job title, affiliation and email address as well as your contact information, plus a short (100-word summary) about the achievements that merit the award.

Lead Cornell AgriTech’s Center for Excellence for Food and Ag

Cornell AgriTech (the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY) is seeking a Senior Extension Associate and Director for its Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture. The Center plays a vital role in advancing the Cornell AgriTech vision and mission to serve as a leading hub for agri-food system innovation across New York and the Northeast. You’ll lead its efforts to support entrepreneurship through the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by connecting startups and existing food, beverage, agriculture and agriculture technology companies with Cornell’s research, innovation, technology and extension services. Learn more and apply by Feb. 1, 2026.

Join UC ANR’s Cooperative Extension Team

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Viticulture and Tree Fruit Area Advisor serving Sacramento, Yolo and Solano Counties. The Advisor will develop an innovative applied research and extension education program focused on viticulture (wine grapes) and pomological crops (oil olives, pears and other minor fruit crops) across the three-county area. You’ll conduct applied research and develop extension programs that improve knowledge; encourage the adoption of new skills, practices, attitudes and policies; and improve environmental, health, economic and/or social conditions. Learn more and apply by Jan. 31, 2026.

RESEARCH FOCUS

How Public Ag Research Is Funded

By Kelly P. Nelson and Keith Fuglie

Editor’s Note: There were a lot of headlines this year about the reduction in federal funding for research. We thought it would be helpful to share an older (2022) article from USDA’s Economic Research Service to illustrate why this trend is so concerning.

In the United States, public agricultural research and development (R&D), which includes any agricultural R&D conducted at universities or government laboratories regardless of funding source, is supported through federal-state partnerships. These partnerships provide an important complement to business R&D, providing scientific and technological innovations that raise US agri-food system productivity.

This public R&D investment is the primary driver of long-term productivity growth in US agriculture. In addition to increasing farm productivity, public agricultural R&D investment also supports improvements in natural resources and forestry management, helps advance rural development, enhances food safety and quality, and informs markets and policy. Research supported by the USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) has found that, from 1900 to 2011, spending on public agricultural R&D generated, on average, $20 in benefits to the US economy for every $1 of spending. However, this spending has been trending downwards. In 2019 (the last year for which complete statistics are available), public agricultural R&D spending in the United States totaled $5.16 billion, about a third lower than the peak in 2002 when spending was $7.64 billion (in constant 2019 dollars). At the same time, other countries have maintained or increased their spending on agricultural R&D, with China becoming the largest funder of agricultural R&D in the world.

ERS researchers also estimated the amount of R&D investment in constant dollars by adjusting nominal spending by an R&D price index. By adjusting nominal spending on agricultural R&D by this price index, it shows in real terms the amount of R&D conducted over time. Using this measure, ERS researchers found that US public agricultural R&D spending peaked in 2002, and by 2019 spending had declined to roughly where it was in 1970.

The Federal Government Funds Most Public Agricultural R&D

Through different programs, federal and state government agencies and non-government sources fund agricultural R&D. In 2019, the federal government funded $3.24 billion, or 64% of the total amount spent on public agricultural R&D. State governments funded an additional $1.06 billion and non-government sources funded $741 million. Most of the federal funds for agricultural R&D were channeled through the USDA, where the funding was used for research performed by USDA agencies (referred to as intramural research) and research grants to universities and other cooperating institutions (extramural research). Other federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, also funded agricultural research primarily through grants to university colleges and schools of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine. Non-government sources of funds, primarily for research at universities, include industry grants, self-generated funds (such as patent licensing fees and product sales), and sources such as private nonprofit foundations and farm or producer organizations.

Of all US funds allocated for public agricultural R&D in 2019, USDA administered more than half (55%), which was equally divided between intramural and extramural research. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the R&D arm of the Forest Service received the largest share of USDA agency intramural research funds. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers most of the funds for extramural research funded by USDA. NIFA allocates one part of its research funds through “capacity grants” to state and territorial institutions on a formula basis and requires states to match the federal grant. Capacity grants include Hatch funds for state agricultural experiment stations of land-grant universities established under the Morrill Act of 1862, among other schools and colleges.

NIFA allocates another group of funds competitively, especially through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). AFRI grants can be awarded to universities or other organizations and attract researchers from outside the traditional land-grant colleges of agriculture and forestry to conduct agriculture research.

A third set of NIFA funds is allocated through non-competitive research grants directed by Congress to support designated institutions or specific programs, such as the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. In 2019, NIFA allocated nearly $1.1 billion for research. Of this, 38% was allocated through competitive grants, 26% through capacity grants and the remaining 36% through directed special grant programs.

Universities Perform Most Public Agricultural Research

While the federal government funds nearly two-thirds of all public agricultural R&D in the United States, non-federal institutions (land-grant universities and other cooperating institutions) perform about 70% of the agricultural research. Of this percentage, land-grant universities and their state agricultural experiment stations established under the Morrill Act of 1862 account for more than half of total public agricultural R&D expenditures. They usually focus research on the commodities and resource problems of greatest interest to their states. However, the scientific knowledge and technologies their research generates often have broader uses. University research also plays a vital role in training the next generation of agricultural scientists.

USDA agencies such as ARS, ERS and the Forest Service perform the other 30% of public agricultural R&D. USDA agency research focuses on issues of national or regional importance, provides critical research infrastructure such as plant genetic resource conservation, and supports the regulatory and program functions of USDA agencies.

This article is excerpted from the original story, “I nvestment in US Public Agricultural Research and Development Has Fallen by a Third Over Past Two Decades, Lags Major Trade Competitors,” by Kelly P. Nelson and Keith Fuglie, published on the USDA-ERS website June 6, 2022. Click to see the full story and helpful charts.

Call for Poster Proposals

The Washington Winegrowers Association invites student and professional researchers to submit proposals for posters to be featured at WineVit® 2026, happening Feb. 9-11, 2026, in Kennewick, WA. Posters will be displayed throughout the event, with scheduled opportunities for authors to engage with attendees. Learn more and submit your proposal by Jan. 5, 2026.

ASEV and ASEV-ES Invite Abstracts

The American Society for Enology and Viticulture and ASEV Eastern Section (ASEV-ES) are soliciting abstracts for presentation at their joint conference, June 15-18, 2026, in Boise, ID. Submissions may report original research or feature research updates across all areas of viticulture and enology. Projects that extend beyond grape and wine production, but have clear relevance or application to the field are also encouraged. Accepted abstracts will be featured as oral or poster presentations at the conference and posted on the ASEV website. Learn more and submit your abstract(s) by Feb. 10, 2026.

Funding Opportunities

CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant Assistance Program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for

assistance to limited resource applicants for the 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The assistance program intends to provide a process through which small and/or limited-resource applicant organizations can participate. Eligible organizations include non-profits, Tribal governments, and K-12 school districts that have not previously received SCBGP funding, do not have expertise with grant writing, and work directly in either supporting limited resource and/or beginning farmers or providing nutrition and/or access to specialty crops in low resource communities. Apply by Jan. 12, 2026.

New York Wine & Grape Foundation

The NYWGF released its request for proposals for research projects to be funded in its next fiscal year, April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027. Each year, the organization invests in research that addresses production challenges, explores new technologies and strengthens industry resilience across all regions of the state. This year’s application process includes both a written proposal and a five-minute summary video. Researchers also will participate in a Q&A session with the NYWGF Research Committee on Feb. 12, 2026. Proposals are due Jan. 16, 2026.

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research

The NCSFR is accepting proposals for berry and grape research in the Pacific Northwest. Maximum funding allowed is $70,000 per year (with up to 10% overhead). Proposals can be multi-year projects up to three years in duration and will be fully funded for the entire duration of the project. Proposals should address small fruit and grape research needs in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho). Applications are due Jan. 23, 2026.

Unified Grant Management System

The Unified Grant Management for Viticulture and Enology process is accepting research funding proposals for these agencies:

American Vineyard Foundation
California Grape Rootstock Improvement Commission
California Grape Rootstock Research Foundation
Oregon Wine Board
CDFA Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board

Each agency lists specific criteria in its request for proposals, linked on the website. Researchers are advised to apply to any agency/ies appropriate for their project using a single online proposal application. All participating funding agencies require grant proposals to be submitted online by Jan. 31, 2026.

FFAR Fellows

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) is accepting applications for the 2026-2029 cohort of FFAR Fellows. The program is designed to provide career guidance to PhD students who represent the next generation of food and agriculture scientists. It prepares a career-ready STEM workforce by breaking down disciplinary silos and focusing on professional development and soft-skills. Two types of fellowship are offered:

Stipend + Professional Development: Applications due Feb. 22, 2026
Professional Development: Applications due April 15, 2026

Applying for a grant? Request a letter of support!

NGRA is pleased to provide letters of support for research projects that directly address our industry research priorities. Request a letter via our online request form at least two weeks prior to the grant deadline (or any internal deadline you may have). Late requests are not accepted. Requests are reviewed and approved by NGRA Research Committee leadership, so processing times may vary.

IN THE NEWS

More Than Half of Researchers Now Use AI for Peer Review—Often Against Guidance

December 15, 2025 | Nature

Journal publisher Frontiers surveyed 1,600 academics from 111 countries about their use of AI in conducting peer reviews of manuscripts, finding that more than 50% do. The results indicate that, against publisher rules, reviewers are uploading manuscripts to third-party tools, compromising authors’ confidentiality, sensitive data and intellectual property. Separately, some researchers are running their own tests to determine how well AI models support peer review. One found that, while ChatGPT-5 could mimic the structure of a peer-review report and use polished language, it failed to produce constructive feedback and made factual errors.

What the Vine Told Us: Post-Great Lakes Expo Reflections on Smarter Viticulture in Michigan

December 15, 2025 | MSU Extension

Michigan State University’s Paolo Sabbatini makes the case for a physiological model of vineyard management that “treats the vine as an active collaborator, whose internal cues must be read, not overridden.” He adds that “this approach is particularly well-suited to cold-climate systems where the cost of mistimed interventions is high and the margins for error are narrow.” Pruning—especially using larger cuts—provides an example of this “philosophical reorientation,” he says.

Viticulturists vs AI with Dr. Justin Scheiner

December 9, 2025 | Vineyard Underground Podcast

How good is the guidance from ChatGPT and Copilot on vineyard management questions on pruning, spraying and diagnosing leaf symptoms? Texas A&M’s Justin Scheiner and host Fritz Westover demonstrate in real time. And Justin explains why, despite its convenience, AI can’t replace Extension or experienced viticulture support. It can be a good tool for learning, not a blueprint for management.

Specialist Brings Science to California’s High-Priority Crops

December 2, 2025 | Farm Progress

Houston Wilson is a UC Cooperative Extension Entomologist at UC Riverside and the founding director of the UC Organic Agriculture Institute. Based at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Fresno, CA, he and his team develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for grapes and tree nuts. “Cooperative Extension is about being based in the community,” Houston is quoted as saying. “They say that Extension moves at the speed of relationships, and I love that aspect of it.”

Oak’s Role in Managing Smoke-Affected Wines: Practical Insights for Winemakers

December 2025 | Oregon Wine Research Institute Vine to Wine

Winemakers have reported variable success using oak to mitigate the impact of smoke exposure on affected fruit. To confirm anecdotal observations, Oregon State’s Elizabeth Tomasino and Jenna Fryer conducted a case study using smoke-affected Cabernet Sauvignon. They found that oak origin and format affect the impact.

Solar Energy Protects German Vineyards from Climate Change

November 30, 2025 | Deutsche Welle

To combat the effects of climate change, researchers at Germany’s Hochschule Geisenheim University are experimenting with “VitiVoltaic” technology that “makes it possible to harvest two very different things on two levels: Electricity above and wine grapes below.” Pilot projects are underway in the Rheingau to determine whether photovoltaic (PV) modules could help the region’s beloved Riesling thrive despite hotter conditions there. Two vintages of the university’s “Watt wine” have now been bottled. They say the resulting Riesling is “lighter and fruitier—just like it used to be,” vs. the overripe, higher ABV wines of recent years.

Development of the Monterey County Wine Industry with Larry Bettiga

November 25, 2025 | Vineyard Underground Podcast

Listen in as legendary UC ANR Viticulture Extension Advisor Larry Bettiga shares his 40+ years of experience in Monterey County, CA—notably its path to becoming one of the country’s most significant cool-climate grape-growing regions. From the early years of vineyard expansion, including the misalignment of some varieties with the distinct coastal climatic conditions, Larry explains how improved temperature modeling and clonal selection steered the region toward better outcomes.

Unlocking Healthy Vines with Practical Nutrition Strategies

November 24, 2025 | HiRes Vineyard Nutrition Podcast

Diagnosing nutrient issues in vineyards isn’t straightforward. In this episode of the HiRes Vineyard Nutrition Podcast, Patty Skinkis speaks with Fritz Westover to explore practical strategies for soil and tissue testing, timing nutrient applications, and improving efficiency in vineyard management. Whether you’re a grower, consultant or researcher, you’ll gain actionable insights to optimize vine health and fruit quality.

Save The Grapes! Enter the Mealybug Destroyer!

November 18, 2025 | KQED Deep Look

A Deep Look video features two heroes of the animal kingdom helping to rid vineyards of mealybugs. A lady beetle called the Mealybug Destroyer can be ordered by the box-load and deployed directly on vines where they can find and feed on their prey. Cleverly, Destroyer larvae look similar to adult mealybugs, helping the Destroyer to evade the ant henchmen that protect them. The other hero is the trained detector dogs that can sniff out both the mealybug and the devasting leafroll virus it vectors.UC Berkeley’s Kent Daane and Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Stephanie Bolton assisted KQED in putting together this fun grape-focused segment.

Integrative Genome and Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Smoke-Responsive Glycosyltransferases in Grapevine Berries

November 17, 2025 | Journal of Experimental Botany

Manon Paineau, a postdoc in the Cantù lab at UC Davis, identified smoke-activated genes that appear to capture volatile compounds from wildfire smoke, contributing to smoke taint in fruit and wine. In ongoing work, the lab will test the function of these genes and guide the development of grapevine varieties that lack or can suppress them. The article sharing Manon's findings earned a feature on the cover of the Journal of Experimental Botany.

The US Farm Bill and Science’s Evolving Social Contract

November 17, 2025 | UC Davis Aggie Video

If you’ve ever wondered what happens if the Farm Bill doesn’t get reauthorized, how much of the bill’s funding goes to agricultural research or why project PIs have to write logic models into their grant applications, UC Davis Neil McRoberts has the presentation for you. It’s 50 minutes well-spent for those of us who follow—and struggle to understand—the processes by which the federal government funds (or doesn’t fund) ag research.

Biochar Application Cuts Vineyard Soil Erosion Rate by 67% and Boosts Water Storage by Up to 303% in Dry Periods

November 12, 2025 | Biochar Today

In an 18-month study led by scientists at Portugal’s University of Aveiro, applying biochar to the soil in sloping vineyards resulted in a 67% reduction in annual erosion. The soil’s ability to absorb and hold water—its “sponge function”—was greatly enhanced, increasing the average amount of stored water by 73%. And during periods of extended drought, the biochar-amended soil stored between 171% and 303% more water than untreated control soil, providing critical resilience.

Grape Breeding: From Phenotypic to Marker-Assisted Selection

November 6, 2025 | Appellation Cornell - Special Issue

A crop of new grape breeders has sprung up at research institutions across the US, many succeeding retired scientists who developed scores of new varieties over the course of their careers. But new breeders have access to a host of tools—a detailed map of the 19 chromosomes in the grapevine genome and DNA markers for critical traits like disease resistance—that didn’t exist in the '80s or '90s. Consider all that has changed and what could be possible, thanks to this “revolution in grape breeding.”

Goodbye, Pinot Noir—Hello, Paseante Noir?

October 27, 2025 | Los Angeles Times

As Pierce’s Disease, accelerated by climate change, re-emerges among California vineyards, “the future will almost certainly include what are known as ‘hybrid’ grapes in vineyards across the globe,” the LA Times reports. Ojai Vineyard is planting the PD-resistant grapes developed by UC Davis’ Andy Walker in place of vinifera varieties succumbing to the bacterial disease. Two of the Walker varieties now serve as Ojai’s estate white and red. “For ‘the future of wine and our ability to make it in a more sustainable way, these new hybrids point the way,’” winemaker Adam Tolmach is quoted.

Fungicide Resistance In Grape Pathogens—A FRAME Update

October 27, 2025 | Lodi Winegrowers Blog

The FRAME (Fungicide Resistance Assessment, Mitigation and Extension) team has moved beyond just grape powdery mildew FRAC 11 fungicide resistance to look at more FRAC groups and more pathogens—namely downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot. They’re looking to develop rapid-diagnostic tools for different FRAC groups, better pathogen sampling devices, and risk forecasting at local and regional scales. Plus, they’ve stocked the FRAME website with curated resources like factsheets, articles and videos, and are planning more training opportunities in 2026.

Turning Food Scraps into Opportunities

October 27, 2025 | California Ag Network

The Byproduct Database, developed and maintained by the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems at UC Davis, is a new research project and online tool that aims to connect the byproducts of agricultural production—fruit skins, nut shells and grape pomace—with valuable new uses. Now in its pilot phase, the database covers tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. Grapes are planned for inclusion as the research team continues to gather data.

Find these stories and more, published every weekday, on our Facebook and X (Twitter) feeds. You can also find us on LinkedIn. Use #graperesearch to join and grow the conversation!