Opus One’s winemaker, Michael Silacci (right), officially took reign as president of the ASEV Board of Directors as of July 1, succeeding Past President Craig Rous (left) of Bear Creek Winery.

“Craig Rous provided outstanding leadership to guide a unique and diverse group of individuals. He was instrumental in many of the innovative new program concepts and ideas that the ASEV is introducing,” Silacci said. “He did a superb job as president, and I am lacing my boots tightly to follow in his footsteps.”

Silacci, who has spent the past 8 years at Opus One in Oakville, will lead the 12-member board as it works to enhance tradition and value to the membership through a continually evolving slate of programs, publications and special events. An ASEV member since 1984, Silacci was a member of the ASEV Board of Directors from 1993-1995 and chaired the Annual Meeting Program Committee held in Portland, Oregon last month.

In addition, two new directors have been elected to join this year’s board of directors: Thomas Collins, manager of the Research Department at Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, and Peter Cousins of the United States Department of Agriculture at Cornell University.

The position of first vice president is now filled by Christian Butzke of Purdue University. James Kennedy of Oregon State University, Corvallis, was elected as second vice president.

“We have an innovative board, made up of dedicated and focused members who work tirelessly toward the advancement of our industry,” Silacci said. “I’m thrilled to be working with them and look forward to our next year together.”

Committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) awarded 20 students studying in North America with scholarships totaling $60,000. All the recipients are pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture or a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry at universities and colleges across the nation. ASEV is proud to announce the recipients of the 2008-2009 scholarships:

• Dwayne Bershaw, University of California, Davis
• Seth Cohen, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Rhonda Cooper, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Levi Fredrikson, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Denise Gardner, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Monica Hadarits, University of Guelph, Canada
• Derrick Hammons, University of Kentucky, Lexington
• Michael Krawitzky, Texas Tech University
• Erik Mallea, California State University, Fresno
• Nina Mansell, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Allison O’Neil, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Kerry Shiels, University of California, Davis
• David Takush, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Emily Terrell, University of British Columbia, Canada
• Jose Ramon Urbez-Torres, University of California, Davis
• Jim Willwerth, Brock University, Canada
• Patsy Wilson, University of Kentucky, Lexington

Each year, the ASEV’s scholarship committee reviews many worthy applicants. The ASEV extends its gratitude to the dedicated committee members for their time and support in shaping our next generation of enologists and viticulturists. This year’s committee included Patty Saldivar (Chair) of Pine Ridge Winery; Chris Carpenter of Lokoya winery; Peter Cousins of Cornell University; James Ewart of Delicato Vineyards; Jim Lincoln of Beckstoffer Vineyards; Steve Vasquez of the University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno County; and Stan Zervas of Silverado Farming.

Portland, Oregon, enabled the perfect balance of science and leisure for those who attended the 59th Annual Meeting held in June. The ideal setting of the Oregon wine industry provided researchers and wine grape industry members an opportunity to tour Oregon wineries, learn more about the world’s recognized Pinot noir regions, interact with well-regarded domestic and international scientists, and witness a unique slate of sensory scientists from California, Europe and Australia. As a result, the ASEV registered its largest crowd in recent years with attendance growing by more than 15 percent from last year.

The week-long event began in the Willamette Valley during an ASEV Oregon Pinot noir winery tour graciously hosted by four well-established Oregon wineries. The regional tour gave attendees an introduction to one of the nation’s fastest growing wine regions. And for those more intrigued by the links, the ASEV Classic Golf Tournament offered a chance to relax with colleagues on the greens at the prestigious Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

But the heart of the event was the packed agenda of symposia, presentations and sessions. The 5th Joint Burgundy-California-Oregon Winemaking Symposium preceded the Annual Meeting, warming guests up for two days of in-depth sessions on a variety of enology and viticulture research subjects.  One of the meeting’s highlights was the Merit Award speech presented by Bob Steinhauer. From his 40-year perspective in the industry, Bob looked at the innovations that have shaped this industry and the challenges he sees ahead. Steinhauer’s relationship with ASEV dates back to 1985, when he served as president of the board.

And while the Annual Meeting provides plenty of opportunity to look back and address current concerns, a hallmark has always been the Society’s attention to the future through enology and viticulture students. In addition to acknowledging the scholarship recipients at the popular Student-Industry Mixer, the best student presentation award winners were announced. These awards are generously funded by Lallemand for enology and by Sunridge Nurseries for viticulture. Awardees included:

• Eve-Lyn Hinckley, Stanford University, for her oral presentation on “From Fumigant to Tracer: How Sulfur Inputs Provide Insight into Vineyard Water Losses.”
• James Meyers, Cornell University, for his poster presentation on “Creating Canopy Exposure Maps Using New Metrics for Point Quadrant Analysis.”
• Dominik Durner, DLR Rheinpfalz, on his oral presentation on “Fermentation in Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.”
• Kirsten Skogerson, University of California, Davis, for her poster presentation on “Insights in the Chemical Basis for Wine Body: Exploratory Study of GC-MS and NMR Metabolite Identification in White Wines.”

The Oregon meeting also marked the final ASEV trade show as the Society moves to finding new ways to involve suppliers.  Much anticipation and excitement is already focused on the 2009 meeting in the Napa Valley. In celebration of its 60th Annual Meeting, ASEV will debut a program format that engages local wineries and vineyards as the backdrop to the ASEV learning experience. Attendees will be able to network with researchers, industry suppliers and industry leaders while capitalizing on the local features of the famed wine region. For more information regarding ASEV’s 60th Annual Meeting, please visit www.asev.org.

This Membership Directory is offered to ASEV members as a benefit. Telephone, fax numbers and email addresses are listed as provided by members. This Membership Directory is an asset of ASEV and sale of the Membership Directory is strictly prohibited. Only current ASEV members are authorized to use the Directory for purposes reasonably related to their interest as a member of ASEV. No one including ASEV members is authorized to use the Membership Directory for any of the following purposes: (a) to solicit money or property; (b) for any commercial purpose; (c) for any purpose in competition with ASEV; and/or (d) for any purpose for which the user does not reasonably and in good faith believe will benefit ASEV.

If you have questions about use of the ASEV Directory, please contact the ASEV office at (530) 753-3142.

ASEV reserves all of its rights and remedies against anyone for improper use of ASEV Membership Directory. This includes but is not limited to ASEV’s rights and remedies under California Corporations Code section 8338.

RESPONSIBILITIES:   A twelve-month, tenure-track faculty position is available in the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture to provide leadership for a statewide Extension (60%) and research (40%) program in support of the grape and wine industry.  Program activities will include but are not limited to: (1) providing leadership for the statewide viticulture Extension program concentrating on County Extension Agent training and integrated crop management education for growers and (2) conducting production system research in cooperation with other horticulture faculty as well as faculty in entomology, plant pathology and agricultural economics. The individual would lead the UK College of Agriculture interface with the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council and related industry associations. The individual is also expected to secure extramural funds in collaboration with other faculty to support this program.

QUALIFICATIONS:  A Ph.D. in viticulture or pomology is required. Experience with viticulture in the eastern US is desirable.  The individual should possess the ability to function within a team and communicate effectively. The ability to use electronic media for educational program delivery is expected.

LOCATION:  University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture on the Lexington campus.

SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS:  Salary open and competitive. A 403-B retirement plan and group health and life insurance are available.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 15, 2008 or until a qualified applicant is found.  Applications must be submitted on line at: http://www.uky.edu/UKjobs/, using the position title above.

CONTACT: Dr. Dewayne Ingram, Chair  EEO Coordinator
Department of Horticulture   S-101 Agr. Science N.
University of Kentucky University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY  40546-0091  Lexington, KY  40546-0091
(859) 257-1601
e-mail: dingram@uky.edu

The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer.