NEWSLETTER
June 2017
Driving research to maximize the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness
 of the American grape industries.
A NEW WORLD

Research on grape genetics and grapevine improvement has been a strategic focus for NGWI since the organization was founded. And with its potential for game-changing impacts, it continues to be a priority today. VitisGen, a marker-assisted breeding project NGWI helped to launch in 2011, has uncovered several genes and genetic mechanisms responsible for resistance to powdery mildew. Imagine a world where powdery mildew is no longer a major vineyard threat. Thanks to this work, it's not that far off.
 
VitisGen shows the power, not only of genetics, but of a collaborative conversation that coordinates research across all sectors of our industry. As our new Research Theme Committees get started (see related story below), we seek to surface national-level areas of study that are of a scale and scope greater than any one grape-industry sector could sufficiently address on its own. VitisGen was one such project. We're out to find more.

As this new chapter opens for NGWI, we've learned that Sally Schneider, Deputy Administrator for Natural Resources & Sustainable Ag Systems of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is retiring from federal service, effective June 30. Sally has been instrumental in grape research and a big proponent of NGWI. We wish her congratulations on her retirement and many, many thanks for all she's done for our industry.

Donnell Brown
President
In This Issue
RESEARCH COMMITTEES: STAFFED & STARTING

Late last year, NGWI refreshed our research focus areas to better reflect current research needs and more tightly align with researchers and funding sources like the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). At our Mid-Year Board Meeting on June 8 in Sacramento, Research Chair Nick Dokoozlian shared the structure for the four Theme Committees, and announced the people who have agreed to serve on them.
 
Each NGWI Research Theme Committee has nine members, Nick said: six representing industry (the chair and five standing committee members) and three academic subject matter experts. Committee members are chosen for their expertise, and industry and geographic diversity, and serve three-year terms. The new committee members are:
 
Natural Resources and Environment
Anji Perry - CA - J Lohr Vineyards & Wines
Imed Dami - The Ohio State University 
Markus Keller - Washington State University
Allison Jordan - CA - Wine Institute
Julie Tarara -  WA - Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 
Andrew McElrone - ARS/UC Davis
Tony Stephen - CA - American Vineyard Foundation (Scheid Vineyards)
Vladimer Tudor - California Table Grape Commission (Tudor Ranch)
(One industry member to be named) 
 
Integrated Vineyard Production Systems
Russell Smithyman - WA - Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Craig Bardwell - WA - National Grape Cooperative Association/Welch's 
Kaan Kurtural - UC Davis 
Andrew Meggitt - MO - St. James Winery
Marshall Miller - CA - Thornhill Properties
Rich Schaefers - CA - Silverado Partners
Tony Wolf - Virginia Tech University 
John Zaninovich - California Table Grape Commission (Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons)
(One academic member to be named) 
 
Genetics and Grapevine Improvement
Franka Gabler, California Table Grape Commission  
Dario Cantu - UC Davis
Terrence Frett - California Table Grape Commission (Sun World)
Deborah Golino - UC Davis  
Jason Londo - ARS/Cornell University 
Dan Martinez - CA - Martinez Nursery
John Martini - NY - Anthony Road Wine Company
Andrew Zaninovich - CA - Sunview Vineyards
(One industry member to be named)   
 
Extension and Outreach
Keith Striegler - CA - E&J Gallo
Jim Anderson - MO - Missouri Wine & Grape Board
Stephanie Bolton - CA - Lodi Winegrape Commission
Ed Hellman - Texas A&M University
Ryan Logoluso - California Table Grape Commission (Frank A. Logoluso Farms)
Michelle Moyer - Washington State University 
Emilio Miranda - CA - Allied Grape Growers 
Rick Stark - CA - Sun-Maid 
Hans Walter-Peterson - Cornell University
 
The Research Theme Committees began their work this month, and will be working to identify research needs in their respective theme areas. Their goal is to produce a refreshed research roadmap by the end of the year.
 
Congratulations--and thank you--to all who have committed to serve! 

WIN FOR WATER RESEARCH

As a result of a permanent budget increase from Congress in the fiscal year 2017 budget, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will be establishing a new research unit in California's northern San Joaquin Valley with a focus on "systems approach to improved water management for sustainable production." The initial crops of emphasis will be grapes and tree nuts.  National Program Leaders Drs. Charlie Walthall, Teferi Tsegaye, Rosalind James and Gene Lester will lead a team of six new full-time research scientists in the areas of hydrology, ag engineering, plant physiology/horticulture, data analytics/bioinformatics, systems science/ag economics and weed science. ARS is currently exploring all options for where to house the new water research unit.
 
"Industry input on research needs was certainly considered in determining the crop orientation of the new funding for water research," says outgoing Deputy Administrator for Natural Resources & Sustainable Ag Systems Sally Schneider. 

NEW YORK PURSUES R&D ORDER

Members of the New York State grape-growing industry are pursuing a vote for a statewide market order for research & development. "This grower-supporter, grower-funded and grower-led funding stream for research will benefit all New York grape growers," says Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Grape & Wine Foundation.
 
An Advisory Board consisting of seven growers, one processor of juice grapes, and one processor of wine grapes would be assembled from nominations. Members would be able to approve an assessment up to ½ of 1% or .005% of the farm gate value of all juice and wine grapes grown in New York. It is estimated to generate up to $240,000. The board would administer the program and approve all research and extension projects undertaken. 
 
The New York State Department of Ag & Markets will hold a series of public meetings to receive grower feedback. The meetings start the last week of June and run through the second week of July in locations throughout the state's grape-growing regions. If there is support for the market order, a vote will be held in August. Find more information on the Foundation's website.

RESEARCH UPDATE: DOES GENETICS RESEARCH MAKE CENTS?

VitisGen, the landmark marker-assisted breeding project focusing on the  "Application of Next-Generation Technologies to Accelerate Grapevine Cultivar Development," has made some notable achievements. Funded via a five-year $4,563,164 SCRI grant in 2011, the 25-member team has identified more than 75 marker trait associations, including seven for powdery mildew resistance. It also achieved a 10-fold decrease in cost per seedling, making markers more affordable and accessible to grape breeders.
 
As part of the project, disease-resistant grape cultivars are created by crossing  Vitis vinifera with non- vinifera species. For some winemakers, that can mean losing the valuable varietal name on the label. (This is not an issue for wines without varietal labels, or for table or raisin grapes.) Are the savings from the reduction of pesticides worth it? That's one of the critical issues the economics team is investigating.
 
VitisGen's lead economist, Dr. Julian Alston (UC Davis), has been working with colleagues to evaluate the economic consequences of introducing new grape traits, including impacts on cost, yield, revenue, profit and more. The payoffs from disease-resistant varieties can be significant, he says, depending on lag times for the new varieties to become available, grower adoption and consumer willingness to buy the resulting product.  
 
Julian's team's findings have appeared in many academic publications, including the
Revues des Oenologues,  California Agriculture,  Wine Economics and Policy, and
Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) Update.  Read the ARE Update article here.

IN THE NEWS


Can You Help Name Cornell's New Grape?
June 20, 2017  │ The Ithaca Voice
A seedless Concord-type fresh grape developed at Cornell University-the first since 1996-could become a new favorite for snacking and growing. All it needs is a name. Submissions are due by July 31.
 
Steve Lohr Elected Wine Institute Chairman 2017-2018
June 14, 2017 │ The Wine Institute
Steve Lohr, Chairman and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in San Jose and Paso Robles, has been elected Wine Institute Board Chairman for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Other board officers elected were Chris Indelicato of Delicato Family Vineyards in Napa, first vice chairman; Hank Wetzel of Alexander Valley Vineyards in Healdsburg, second vice chairman; John Sutton, The Wine Group in Livermore, treasurer; and Suzanne Groth, Groth Vineyards & Winery in Oakville, secretary.
 
Viticulture Specialists Sound off on Expanding Grape Production, Efficiency
June 12, 2017 │  Western Farm Press
Topics presented at an information-packed program in Fresno, CA, on grape research included a look at a remotely piloted helicopter to apply pesticides, flooding as a way of recharging aquifers, machine pruning to keep costs down and more.
 

Northwest Wine Grape Industry to Streamline Clean Plant Regulations

June 7, 2017 │  Good Fruit Grower
Northwest nurseries, wine industry stakeholders and regulators are wrapping up a two-year project to begin to create a regional approach to grapevine certification in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Funded through a $200,000 federal grant, it's part of a larger national effort to harmonize standards for "clean" plants across crops and states.
 
Find these stories and more, published as we find them,  on the NGWI Facebook page.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS

June 26-29, 2017
American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) National Conference  
Bellevue, WA
 
July 10-12, 2017
Charlottesville, VA
 
November 14, 2017
Washington Grape and Wine Issues Caucus
Yakima, WA
 
November 29-30 (workshop), December 1, 2017 (meeting)
ARS Grape Research Workshop and NGWI Year-End Board Meeting
Portland, OR
 
January 23-25, 2018
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium
Sacramento, CA
 
January 26, 2018
NGWI Annual Board Meeting
Sacramento, CA
 
February 20-21, 2018
Oregon Wine Symposium
Portland, OR
 
May 20-22, 2018
National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC) 2018
Prosser, WA
 
Find all upcoming events on the NGWI website.