Magic Happens; AgTech Initiatives; Nutrient Losses

May 2026

Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley*

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS

For me, May began in the vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, which straddles the Washington-Oregon state line and the winding Walla Walla River. With sweeping blue skies, typical gusty winds and views for days, the picture-perfect AVA was a beautiful backdrop for the U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit.

What’s in This Issue?

Scroll down for these stories and more

New federal programs accelerate AgTech
The EPA released a draft Fungicide Strategy and invites your input
The nutrients removed from your vineyard matter

The event kicked off with a tour of sustainably farmed vineyards, including Seven Hills, Ferguson and Les Collines (shown above). Despite one lovingly described as a “hostile site for grape-growing” (and by extension, the grape-growers who take care of the vines there) it was clear that the viticulturists and vineyard managers at each location felt passionately about their work and their sustainability mission. They waxed poetic about the Missoula floods, glacial erratics and rearing practices for leaf-cutter bees—words and concepts I was hearing about for the first time. But these are the unique yet everyday challenges that make sustainable farming fun for them. It’s an interesting puzzle (with a few of the key conventional pieces removed and local, seasonal curveballs thrown in) that they get to piece together anew every year. The high regard for and value of their prized fruit proves that, in this special place and others, I’m sure, sustainable winegrowing drives quality—and price.

As we progressed through the tour stops, it occurred to me that I could only name a few famous vineyards not attached to a winery. If winemaking begins in the vineyard, how can this be? Sure, vineyard designations are sometimes given on the label. And the local winemaking community in any given region certainly knows where the best fruit is grown. But even though talented and committed people around the world are pouring their hearts and souls into growing premium grapes, vineyards seldom rise to the cult status that wineries do. (And don’t even get me started on the generations of farming families and vineyard workers tending table grape, raisin and juice grapes.) The thought made me appreciate media coverage of and awards for the best-managed vineyards that much more. (See Wine Enthusiast’s May 2023 story, “10 Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines,” for example.)

Most of the research NGRA initiates and supports focuses on production viticulture, through the lens of our research theme areas: genetics and grapevine improvement, integrated production systems, natural resources and environment, and extension and outreach. Sustainability underlies these themes, not as a certification, standard or set of principals, necessarily, but with the goal of sustaining the grape and wine industry—and our vineyards—into an uncertain future.

So, to those who’ve made grape-growing their life’s work, please know we’ve got your back. Priority research is already tackling tomorrow’s problems. We know the vineyard is where the magic happens.

Donnell Brown
President

*ABOUT THE IMAGE

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Les Collines Vineyard has among the highest average (3,291) of growing degree days per year and yet the highest precipitation (19-21 inches on average) in the Walla Walla Valley.

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

USDA Creates National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech

Last month, USDA announced the launch of the USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech, an initiative designed to rigorously evaluate agricultural technologies under real-world U.S. farming conditions and give farmers trusted insight into existing and emerging tools they can apply toward purchase decisions. Thus, it seeks to accelerate American farmers’ confidence to adopt innovations that improve profitability and strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of American agriculture.

The initiative will be spearheaded by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Grand Farm, a North Dakota-headquartered AgTech ecosystem and innovation testbed, will serve as the USDA’s National Program Manager. Land-grant universities across the country will serve as primary research and testing partners. AgTech companies will be invited to enroll their commercial and pre-commercial products with Grand Farm when the request for products opens to the public.

NSF Launches Tech Accelerators Initiative

The U.S. National Science Foundation this month announced its NSF Tech Accelerators initiative to shepherd research outputs emanating from basic research across the commercialization “valley of death” to deliver market-ready technologies that serve various industries, including agriculture (one of four “topic areas,” listed below). The agency will catalyze NSF Tech Accelerators in currently under-funded deep-tech areas, and these NSF Tech Accelerators will invest in teams conducting research and early-stage technology development. The goal is remove commercialization barriers, address ecosystem and technology-specific gaps, and “crowd in” investment from venture capital and others to competitively position technologies for market adoption and uptake.

NSF has published a request for information to gather feedback on the NSF Tech Accelerators program model, and identify prospective organizations to lead NSF Tech Accelerators aligned to the four proposed topics areas: agricultural technology (AgTech), materials technology (MaterialsTech), ocean technology (OceanTech) and scientific instrumentation (SciTech). The deadline for responses is July 14, 2026.

EPA Releases Draft Fungicide Strategy

On May 1, 2026, the EPA released its draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Fungicide Strategy (EPA-HQ-OPP-2026-2973), a proposed framework for how the agency may address potential risks from conventional agricultural fungicides to federally listed endangered and threatened species. “The draft strategy does not immediately change current fungicide labels,” writes Cornell Grape Pathologist Katie Gold in a comprehensive post on her lab’s website. “However, it does signal how the EPA expects future fungicide labels to change as the agency works to meet its ESA responsibilities.” And it can help industry stakeholders prepare for—and perhaps shape—the changes to come.

Grape growers in the eastern U.S. are expected to be most impacted by changes in fungicide regulation, as the EPA itself “recognizes that fungicide use is more concentrated in humid, high-disease-pressure regions such as the Great Lakes and Southeast,” Katie writes. The EPA says it seeks to preserve flexibility for states, growers and applicators while protecting listed species, and identifies multiple protections fungicide users may adopt for mitigation—many of which are commonplace in viticulture, Katie notes.

The draft Fungicide Strategy is open for public comment, now through June 29, 2026. Submit comments here.

Farm Bill Progress

On April 30, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill (officially named the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 or H.R.7567). The controversial provision that would have protected pesticide companies from liability claims was not included in the bill’s final version. But a provision that preempts states’ rights to determine their own animal welfare rules did, as did cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and conservation programs. The Senate has yet to introduce its version of the Farm Bill, but Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) has indicated he intends to release a draft soon.

Table Grapes and Wine Win Trade Promotion Funding

The California Table Grape Commission this month announced a $2.2 million award through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) to support expanding international marketing efforts to strengthen global demand. California table grapes are exported to more than 60 countries each year, with international markets representing an important component of industry stability and growth.

Wine Institute also secured funding through the (AFTPP) for its California Wine Export Program. The $6 million award will power targeted, sales-focused initiatives across priority international markets at a moment when global demand for California wine represents one of the industry’s most significant growth opportunities. California wines are exported to more than 140 countries worldwide.

The California Table Grape Commission and Wine Institute are two of 55 organizations nationwide selected to receive AFTPP funding. Both are NGRA member-organizations.

Sun-Maid Is a U.S. Best Managed Company

Sun-Maid Growers of California, an NGRA member-organization, was selected as a 2026 U.S. Best Managed Company in a program sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, recognizing outstanding U.S. private companies. The honorees have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, commitment to their people, financial performance and governance. Sun-Maid also earned the distinction of Platinum Honoree—companies that have been recognized as a Best Managed Company for seven years or more—reflecting consistent achievement and a long-term commitment to ongoing development and growth.

Said Sun-Maid President and CEO Steve Loftus: “As a farmer-owned cooperative, everything we do starts with our growers and extends through every team across the organization. This recognition reflects our consistent strength in strategy, execution, culture and governance, made possible by the dedication of our growers and employees, who continue to strengthen our business for generations to come.”

UC Davis Opens Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation

On May 19, 2026, UC Davis celebrated the grand opening of the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, a state-of-the-art facility designed to transform agricultural research, teaching and outreach while accelerating solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges in food systems and sustainability. It was made possible in large part through a transformative gift from Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundation, in 2022.

The 34,000-square-foot facility, housed within the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will offer hands-on learning in an innovative and immersive environment that connects education to research and discovery. Experts across disciplines will work in labs equipped with robotics, sensors, data science and artificial intelligence—technologies transforming how agriculture is managed and scaled. Research efforts will focus on making agricultural systems more resilient, developing advanced technologies, maximizing sustainability through water and energy efficiencies, and expanding access to nutritious food.

CA Pest Prevention System Under Strain

A joint report co-led by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA) called the Comprehensive Pest Prevention Program Analysis (C3PA) analyzes and addresses the challenges of combatting invasive pests and diseases in the nation’s most productive agricultural system. Chiefly, the C3PA analysis concludes that “the cost-effectiveness of pest prevention is very high, but is constrained by systematic underfunding relative to the value it returns to the state and the value (of agricultural commodities) at risk.”

PD/GWSS Funds $1.99M in New Research

CDFA’s Pierce’s Disease (PD) and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board is investing $1.99 million in nine new research projects* over the next two years to help protect vineyards and address pest and disease challenges facing grape growers. The Board is also continuing support for seven previously approved multi-year projects, with $866,277 allocated for fiscal year 2026/27. Projects funded this year range from early-stage studies to applied research focused on PD, grapevine viruses and the insects that spread them. With the industry continuing to face financial pressure, the Board emphasized careful, targeted investments designed to deliver the greatest value to growers.

*These projects have been added to our Inventory of Funded Grape Research in the U.S.

Luminaries to Be Honored at Joint ASEV/ASEV-ES Conference

The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and ASEV-Eastern Section will honor grape and wine luminaries from across the country at their joint conference June 15-18, 2026, in Boise, ID. Read all about these distinguished honorees:

Merit Award Presentation: “From Chemical Engineering to Agriculture: Lessons From an Unexpected Career Advancing the California Wine Industry,” David Block, UC Davis
The Anita Oberholster Award for Extension Excellence Presentation: “Developing an Extension Palate: Connecting Enology Research with Industry Practice,” James Osborne, Oregon State University
Honorary Research Lecture: “My Malolactic Journey: History, Innovations and Future Developments,” Sibylle Krieger-Weber, Lallemand SAS, Germany
ASEV-ES Outstanding Achievement Award: Jonathan Held, Stone Hill Winery (MO)
ASEV-ES Distinguished Service Award: Molly Kelly, Penn State

Congratulations to all and many thanks for your contributions!

Several Openings for Scientists at USDA-ARS

Research Geneticist: Based at the Grape Genetics Research Unit (GGRU) on the Cornell AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY, this position will focus on identifying and integrating key traits with significant impacts on vine growth and development, production efficiency and mechanization, and overall fruit quality and productivity into promising improved varieties. Deadline to apply is June 25, 2026.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Grapevine Genetics and Computer Vision: Also based at the GGRU in Geneva, NY, this fellowship will contribute to grapevine genetics, genomics, gene editing, high throughput genotyping and phenotyping, and computer vision research. Deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.
Postdoctoral Fellowship on Bio-based Technologies to Combat Spotted Lanternfly: This fellowship integrates genetic editing, molecular biology and bioinformatics to develop new technologies to control spotted lanternfly. The position is based at the Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory and Plant Genetics Research Unit in Columbia, MO, affiliated with the University of Missouri. Deadline to apply is July 17, 2026.

RESEARCH FOCUS

Counting Your Losses: Vine Nutrition Isn’t Just About Inputs

By Nataliya Shcherbatyuk, Washington State University; Pierre Davadant, University of Tennessee; and Markus Keller, Washington State University

Editor’s Note: This month, we’re highlighting research outcomes and applications of the NGRA-initiated HiRes Vineyard Nutrition project that will be featured at the ASEV-NGRA Vineyard Nutrition Symposium. The event will take place on June 16, 2026, in Boise, ID. Read about the innovations here, get your ticket and bring your questions to the symposium!

Nutrient budgeting is a sound basis for efficient vineyard nutrition management, which in turn ensures grapevine productivity and fruit quality. Balanced vine nutrition starts with a proper accounting of nutrients on both sides of the ledger. That is, by estimating key nutrient inputs and losses, vineyard managers can assess the balance between nutrient supply and demand and make informed decisions about potential adjustments to nutrient management practices.

Nutrient inputs predominantly derive from the application of fertilizer, fixation by leguminous cover crops, deposition by rainfall and decomposition of rocks. In contrast, nutrient loss comes from leaching, denitrification and runoff, as well as fruit removal at harvest. But leaf fall and end-of-year pruning can have significant impacts, too. So, we undertook a study to determine the annual nutrient removal (i.e., output) from irrigated, commercial wine and juice grape vineyards in arid eastern Washington to support nutrient budgeting for replacement fertilizer application programs.

Sources of Loss

Arguably the largest nutrient export from a vineyard—and the one most commonly considered in nutrient budgets and fertilization guidelines—is the removal of harvested fruit. Current estimates for key macronutrients vary considerably and are on the order of 1 to 3 kg nitrogen (N), 0.2 to 0.4 kg phosphorus (P), 1.5 to 4 kg potassium (K), 0.2 to 1 kg calcium (Ca), and 0.05 to 0.2 kg magnesium (Mg) per ton of fruit.

However, the annual process of leaf senescence and abscission in plants also plays a crucial role in the life cycle of grapevines. During leaf senescence, nutrients accumulated in leaves throughout the growing season are retrieved and transferred to perennial storage organs. Before leaf abscission, leaves redistribute 50 to 80% of their N, P, and K to other plant parts. This redistribution supports new vegetative and reproductive growth in spring. However, if senescence is interrupted by a frost event, nutrients might be trapped in leaves that detach from the vine. Though some nutrition from fallen leaves may ultimately be accessible as soil organic matter, leaf fall can contribute to nutrient removal from the vines. But unlike the nutrient loss in harvested fruit, leaf biomass at the end of the growing season is not routinely measured and not generally considered in fertilizer programs.

Finally, during winter, grapegrowers generally prune the previous season’s fruiting shoots, called dormant canes, after leaf abscission. When left in the vineyard, pruned canes, like fallen leaves, can be incorporated into soil organic matter and become available to vine roots for uptake. But often, canes are removed from the vineyard to minimize the presence of pathogen inoculum and reduce disease pressure. This practice also accounts for nutrient removal that should be included in fertilization programs.

What We Learned

We first hypothesized that the total amount of nutrient removal from a vineyard is dominated by the harvested fruit, with a non-negligible amount of nutrients lost in fallen leaves and pruned canes that are removed from the vineyard. Then, we hypothesized that early frost damage to leaves in fall may disrupt the normal nutrient remobilization pathway, leading to a more substantial loss of nutrients with the abscised leaves.

Our findings highlight considerable variation in nutrient export associated with growing season and the combined effects of cultivar, site, and management style. Overall, potassium and nitrogen accounted for the largest macronutrient losses. Fruit harvest was responsible for most of the nutrient removal, which varied with crop yield. Abscised leaves and pruned canes contributed additional potential nutrient losses, with higher biomass production amplifying the removal of macronutrients such as nitrogen and calcium. As expected, early fall frost events disrupted the remobilization of foliar nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to increased nutrient retention in senescent leaves. However, the timing of the first killing frost was important in determining the nutrient concentrations of abscised leaves. First, the date of the first frost varied by 25 days in our study and explained some of the annual variation in foliar nutrient concentrations.

This study highlights the importance of properly accounting for annual nutrient losses in vineyards. It underscores the need for growers to recognize not only harvested fruit but also fallen leaves and pruned canes as nutrients removed from the annual vineyard-nutrition equation. Adjusting fertilizer plans accordingly will help to maintain long-term vine health and balance.

This story was excerpted from the original article, “Annual Nutrient Removal from Irrigated Vineyards in Dry Climates,” published in the May 2026/Vol. 77 of the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. Read the complete version here.

Funding Opportunities

Specialty Crop Research Initiative

SCRI, administered by USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) now provides up to $175 million per year to fund research and extension projects that use novel approaches to address American specialty crop producers’ most critical challenges. SCRI projects must integrate industry stakeholders, incorporate transdisciplinary science and use a systems approach to solve the problem(s) addressed. The program has five focus areas: breeding and genetics, pests and diseases, production efficiency, technology innovation, and food safety. Pre-applications are due by June 15, 2026.

Equipment Grants Program

The USDA-NIFA EGP program enables eligible institutions to acquire a shared-use instrument or piece of equipment that supports their research, research training and extension goals. Deadline to apply is June 25, 2026.

Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative

The USDA-NIFA’s AG2PI program funds genetics research on agriculturally significant crops and animals in production environments to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production, including studying diverse germplasm as a source of unique genes that may be of importance in the future. Deadline to apply is June 29, 2026.

Crop Protection and Pest Management

The USDA-NIFA CPPM program provides funding to colleges and universities for research, extension, and education activities to address high-priority agricultural pests—especially invasives—and their management. Deadline to apply is July 6, 2026.

NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

This prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) program recognizes early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education, and lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Also, NSF annually selects nominees for its Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from among the most meritorious CAREER awardees. Applications are due by July 22, 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

How Wine, Truffles and Honey Could Help Europe Fight Wildfires

May 25, 2026 | The New York Times

European fire researchers are finding that vineyards can play a critical role in resilience to blazes. Grapevines’ green tissue tends not to burn and vine rows make a natural fire break. Plus, vineyard managers sometimes install water hookups and access routes—useful to firefighters—in spots they might not otherwise be. Experts working with the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia have begun to award a “Fire Wine” designation to vineyards that adopt fire-safe practices. It’s meant to both reward good behavior and spread awareness around responsible practices.

Farmers Turn to Manure, Urine as Fertilizer Prices Surge

May 23, 2026 | Farm Progress

As the war in Iran continues to choke off a third of traded urea, a widely used nitrogen fertilizer, prices have skyrocketed. That’s inspiring innovation and an opening for solutions farmers have viewed as less reliable than synthetic fertilizers. Products ranging from human urine to agricultural waste-based inputs like ground almond shells, to biologicals and microbial products designed to boost plant growth are having a moment. But will demand last? “Synthetic fertilizers have supported global food production for a century,” one farmer is quoted. “I haven’t seen evidence that you can remove them entirely and maintain current yields. There are no silver bullets.”

WSU Research Highlights Ways Growers Can Protect Grapes During Heat Waves

May 22, 2026 | WineBusiness Monthly

“In well-irrigated (grapevines), heat stress had no effect at all on physiology,” said WSU’s Markus Keller on a May 20 Washington State Wine Commission WAVEx webinar. But fruit composition effects are dominated by temperature. How can grape growers protect vulnerable fruit? Markus shared mitigation measures, including undervine foggers, canopy management strategies and other supplemental irrigation before or during heatwaves.

The Science Behind Non-Alcoholic Beer and Wine Production

May 21, 2026 | SevenFifty Daily

As demand rises for no/low-alcohol beverages, so does innovation in production methods. Vacuum distillation and the spinning cone method (originally developed for perfume-making) are most commonly used for wine. Another method—reverse osmosis—presents legal issues in some wine-producing countries, as it requires the addition of water to reduce the ABV to below 0.5%. A promising new single-step process from BevZero separates the volatile compounds from wine while dropping alcohol to 0.05%.

Wine’s Leftovers Could Help Wean Chicken Farms off Antibiotics

May 12, 2026 | Cornell Chronicle

Food scientists at Cornell say the grape skins, seeds and stems left over after pressing are a promising replacement for the antibiotics routinely added to chicken feed. They compared grape pomace against zinc bacitracin, one of the most widely used antibiotic growth promoters in the poultry industry, and say the results are striking. Just a half-percent of grape pomace in feed can nearly match the antibiotic’s performance, improving weight gain, feed efficiency and gut health in broiler chickens.

Solar Over Canals: Inside TID’s Project Nexus with Bill Penney

May 8, 2026 | My Ag Life

On the Farm Bureau Friday podcast, Bill Penney of the Turlock (CA) Irrigation District discusses Project Nexus, a first-of-its-kind effort to install solar panels over irrigation canals. Developed with UC Merced and state partners, the project aims to conserve water while generating renewable energy without taking farmland out of production. Early results point to reduced evaporation, minimal operational impact and fewer issues with aquatic vegetation.

What to Know about the Predictions for a Potentially Record-Breaking El Niño

May 8, 2026 | AP

Climatologists like Daniel Swain of the California Institute for Water Resources expect to see record high temperatures around the globe this year, next year or both. In fact, predictive models point to the possibility of a “super El Niño,” a climatic phenomenon that could have disastrous effects. “All indicators are, at this point, that the next year is going to be a pretty wild year from a global climate perspective,” Daniel said. “The potential is there for something genuinely remarkable.” Not in a good way.

Retailers Take the Lead on ‘Regenerative’ As Shoppers Struggle To Decode the Label

May 6, 2026 | Organic Insider

In a 2023 survey, 63% of consumers said they would pay more for products grown with regenerative practices. But another more recent (2025) report on regenerative farming found that 62% of consumers don’t know what the phrase means. With no federal definition of “regenerative agriculture,” no accepted industry standard and many competing certifications, retailers like Whole Foods are starting to regulate the term.

First Brassinosteroid-Based Dwarf Mutant Discovered and Characterized in Grapevine

May 4, 2026 | Theoretical and Applied Genetics

Having stumbled upon naturally occurring dwarf grapevines, geneticists in New York set out to understand what genes control the dwarfism trait. Through trait–segregation and marker–trait association analyses, they narrowed their focus to Chromosome 14. Then they identified two genes in that locus, both associated with the synthesis of brassinosteroid (BR, a plant hormone), as candidate genes for the trait. Why this matters is, the discovery of BR-related dwarfism in grapevine provides important information with which to breed for this and other desirable vine architecture traits in improved varieties.

Vineyard Shade Cloth: A Strategic Tool for Climate Adaptation and Quality

May 1, 2026 | WineBusiness Monthly

Shade cloth is a simple tool but not a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether and how it is used depends on site-specific factors such as topography, row orientation, canopy density and trellising. Success lies in finding the right balance: allowing enough light for flavor and color development while limiting the excess that can diminish both.

Eradication and Abdication

April 27, 2026 | The World of Fine Wine

“While eradication (of vineyards) is needed for the health of the industry, its impact on the health of remaining vineyards is a major concern,” writes wine writer David Schildknecht. He cites shrinking vineyard acreage in many countries, and the need for governments “to address vineyard abandonment, biosecurity threats and long-term land devaluation. But as vines are removed under duress, he wonders, “Are we eradicating the best vineyards?”

Company Claims Cloud-Seeding Breakthrough Could Help the Parched West

April 27, 2026 | The Washington Post

While researchers agree that “cloud seeding” can work in a laboratory setting, many have doubted that it could make a measurable impact in the real world. But recently, a start-up company said its cloud-seeding drones produced 142 million gallons of water in the form of snow. The data has yet to be peer reviewed, but if confirmed it could be a breakthrough.

Grapevine Berry Inner Necrosis Virus Officially Detected for First Time in Multiple Australian States

April 23, 2026 | ABC Riverland

Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) has been officially detected in Australia for the first time, in table grapes in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia’s Riverland. GINV impacts grapevine growth and quality. “We see about a 90% yield reduction in the vines that actually are positive,” said one official. The virus has the potential to spread to wine grapes, rootstocks and dried grape varieties. There is no known cure.

National Science Foundation CAREER Award Supports Soft-Food Robotics Research

April 22, 2026 | University of Arkansas

Robots have long been viewed as having too firm a grip for applications like harvesting or handling grapes. But a University of Arkansas agricultural and biological engineer won an NSF Early Career Award to develop his autonomous manufacturing system to handle soft foods with adaptability and precision. It combines hyperspectral sensing and a customized off-the-shelf robotic arm to assess the texture and therefore relative softness of a product, which will tell the robot how much force to apply when gripping it. He’ll train the system using chicken and berries.

More Wine, Less Smoke Please

April 13, 2026 | USDA-ARS Tellus

Research led by USDA-ARS scientists in Albany, CA, found that a bacterium that lives on grape leaves can break down guaiacol, a phenolic compound responsible for smoke taint in wine. “We found two strains of the same species of Gordonia alkanivorans that can use guaiacol as their only food source,” said Devin Coleman-Derr, ARS Research Molecular Biologist. They share a gene that produces an enzyme that breaks down guaiacol—and only guaiacol, not other phenols—into a harmless compound. The findings show that bacteria could be a promising biotechnological tool in treating smoke taint.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Calculator for Concord Vineyards (Beta)

April 9, 2026 | Efficient Vineyard

Cornell’s Terry Bates has developed a new Nitrogen Calculator for juice (Concord) and wine grapes. It is based specifically on production in the Lake Erie region, where Concord is predominantly grown on its own roots and not irrigated. Based on input from soil tests, field observations, and tissue tests, it will calculate N rates for both vineyard maintenance and corrective actions. The back-end research inputs include tissue values collected from the Hi-Res Vineyard Nutrition project and other sources.

New Study Finds Napa Wine Grape Growers Face Up to $1,700 Per Acre in Regulatory Costs

April 7, 2026 | WineBusiness Monthly

New research from Cal Poly sponsored by the Napa County Farm Bureau quantified the annual cost of regulatory compliance for Napa County grape growers. The analysis reveals that large growers pay more than $1,700 per acre and small growers, more than $1,100 per acre—that’s just under $2,000,000 and approximately $226,000 per year, respectively, or 8% to 12% of production costs. The figures track with the researchers’ previous studies showing that regulatory costs in California have increased more than 1,300% in some agricultural operations over the last 20 years.

Old Vines Have New Meaning

March 31, 2026 | Somm Journal

Did you know that, as lianas, grapevines’ internal structure disintegrates over time? To determine a vine’s age, researchers inspect pruning cuts to calculate its annual growth rate compared to others in the vineyard. A recent study, the Garnachas Historicas project, found that vines aged 30 to 90 years old had more powerful phenolic structure and greater aromatic complexity; more intensely expressed the characteristics of the vineyards they were sourced from; and had far greater capacity to age. (Story on page 24.)

To Make It to Your Farm, Ag Robots Must First Survive This Boot Camp

March 27, 2026 | Farm Progress

“The gap between a slick ag robot prototype and a machine that makes a return on investment for a real farm has sunk wave after wave of startups—and left early-adopting growers paying the price,” reports Farm Progress. But a company called Reservoir, based in Salinas, CA, is working to close that gap with its innovation hub and testing farm for specialty crops, which opened in March. There, ag tech companies get field-tested and prove their ROI. (Reservoir Farms opened its “wine country campus” in Sonoma, CA, in December 2025.)

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