FPS Grape Variety Focus Presentations
'Variety Focus' was a valuable UC Davis Extension Symposium held over seven years beginning in 2005, each year focusing on a different variety. These lectures were provided by a talented group of guest speakers including UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers as well as guest speakers from the focus variety country of origin. Individual 'Variety Focus' lectures were videotaped by UC ANR Communication Services and can be viewed by clicking on the varieties featured below. We currently have video available for five of the symposia.
2005 - Pinot Noir
This was the first in a new series of courses to focus on the viticultural side of select wine grape varieties. It only seemed fitting that Pinot Noir, a classic variety famous for its responsiveness to all aspects of a grape growers’ efforts, should be the premier variety considered. In this one-day series of lectures we examined the origins of this classic variety, the history in its native Burgundy, the importance, development, and selection of clones, and the role of terroir in the performance of the vine. Guest speakers including UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers as well as guests from Oregon and France.
Speaker lectures are unavailable.
The Rhône varieties series of lectures was held on May 25, 2006. We examined the origins of the grapes of the Rhône varieties; their role in the regional wines of the area; their history in both France and the new world; the importance, development, and selection of clones; and the role of terroir in the performance of the vines. Up-to-date information was provided about well-known Rhône varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Mourvèdre, and Grenache Noir as well as more minor varieties including Cinsault, Picardin, Clairette, and Mucardin. In addition to UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers, speakers included guests from Australia, England, and France.
Speakers: Remington Norman, Author of ‘The Finest Rhone and Rhone Style Wines from France and the New World’; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director of Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis; François Perrin, Tablas Creek Vineyard and Château de Beaucastel; Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Director for Mendocino and Lake Counties; Wayne Farquhar, Executive Officer, South Australian Vine Improvement Incorporated; John Buechsenstein, winemaker, wine educator, and Rhône Ranger; Robert Haas, General Partner, Tablas Creek Vineyard, CA.
In this one-day series of lectures held on May 31, 2007, we examined the origins of Zinfandel; discussed the importance, development, and selection of clones; and heard from experienced Zinfandel winegrowers about their use of this unique variety. In addition to UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers, guest speakers from Croatia, now believed to be the home of Zinfandel, were featured. This program increased awareness of the great potential of this unique variety.
Speakers: Charles Sullivan, leading expert on the history of California wine; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director of Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis; James Wolpert, UC Davis Viticulture Extension Specialist; Dave Gates, Vice-President, Vineyard Operations, Ridge Vineyards; Scott McLeod, Director of Winegrowing, Rubicon Estate, Rutherford, Napa Valley; Donna Hirschfelt, UC Cooperative Extension, Amador and El Dorado Counties; Carole Meredith, UC Davis emeritus professor with Ivan Pejic and Edi Maletic, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
The Variety Focus on Cabernet Sauvignon was held on May 15, 2008 at UC Davis. This was the fourth in a series of courses to focus on the viticultural side of select wine grape varieties. In this one-day series of lectures, we examined Cabernet Sauvignon, renowned for its use in red winemaking worldwide. We covered the origins of Cabernet Sauvignon; discussed the importance, development, and selection of clones; and heard from experienced Cabernet winegrowers about their use of this premier variety. Guest speakers from France, the home of Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux varieties, joined UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers as speakers for this program focusing on the great potential of this variety.
Speakers: Charles Sullivan, leading expert on the history of California wine; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director of Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis; Christophe Sereno, ENTAV – ITV, France; Michael Silacci, Winemaker at Opus One, Napa, CA; Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Director for Mendocino and Lake Counties; James Wolpert, UC Davis Viticulture Extension Specialist; Martin Mendez, E&J Gallo Winery; Phil Freese, owner of Vilafonté and consultant (WineGrow); Scott McLeod, Director of Winegrowing, Rubicon Estate, Rutherford, Napa Valley.
Grapes of Iberia, the fifth symposium in this series, focused on the viticultural side grape varieties from the Iberian Peninsula which is in Southwest Europe, location of modern-day Spain and Portugal, was held on May 14, 2009. Lectures included information on the origins of these varieties; their role in the regional wines of the area; the challenging issue of naming conventions and synonyms of these varieties; their history in both Europe and the new world; the importance, development, and selection of clones; and the role of terroir in the performance of the vines. This program increased awareness of the great potential of some of these unique varieties in new viticultural areas. Lectures were provided by UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers as well as guests from Oregon, Spain, and Portugal.
Speakers: Darrell Corti, Corti Brothers, Sacramento, California; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director of Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis; Jorge Boehm, Viveiros Plansel, S.A. Portugal; Jesús Yuste, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain; Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Director for Mendocino and Lake Counties; Markus Bokisch, Bokisch Vineyards, Victor, California; Earl Jones, Abacela Vineyards & Winery, Roseburg, Oregon.
Sauvignon blanc was the sixth in a series of courses to focus on the viticultural side of select wine grape varieties and was held on May 6, 2010 at UC Davis. In this one-day series of lectures, we focused on this aromatic variety from the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions of France which produces some of the world's most distinctive dry white wines and is an ingredient in the great sweet white wines of Sauternes. Lectures included information on the origin of Sauvignon blanc; its history in France and the New World; the importance, development, and selection of clones; and the role of Sauvignon blanc in the wines of France and regional wines from other areas, particularly California. Lecturers included UC Davis faculty, UC farm advisors, experienced California growers and winemakers, and guest speakers from France and New Zealand.
Speakers: Bob Steinhauer, Grape Grower and Consultant; Jean-Michel Boursiquot, Montpellier SupAgro – IFV, France; Mike Trought, Senior Scientist, New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director of Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis; Glenn McGourty, UC Cooperative Extension Director for Mendocino and Lake Counties; Phil Freese, Owner, Vilafonte and Consultant, WineGrow; Nick Goldschmidt, Goldschmidt Vineyards.
2011 – Chardonnay
The seventh in a series of courses to focus on the viticultural side of select wine grape cultivars, this one-day seminar on May 19, 2011, featured Chardonnay, the most popular white wine grape in the world. Chardonnay originated from the French regions of Burgundy and Champagne. In the New World, the cultivar has been developed into several distinct wine styles. At the Variety Focus seminar on the UC Davis, the speakers focused on the origin and history of the cultivar in France and the New World; the importance, development and selection of clones; and the development of the cultivar into various wine styles.
Speakers: Bob Steinhauer, Grape Grower and Consultant; Laurent Audeguin, IFV (formerly ENTAV); Larry Bettiga, UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties; Matthew Fidelibus, Continuing Education Specialist – Viticulture, UC Kearney Agricultural Center; Deborah Golino, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director, Foundation Plant Services UC Davis; Glenn McGourty UCCE Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor, Mendocino and Lake Counties; and Gerald Asher, Wine Writer and Editor.
Speaker lectures are unavailable.