Viticulture Instructor/Vineyard Manager Position available immediately in Wamego, Kansas:
Highland Community College is seeking a Viticulture Instructor/Vineyard Manager in Wamego, Kansas. The successful candidate will teach an introductory course(s) in Viticulture and manage the College’s newly created 2-acre instruction/research vineyard. Other teaching is possible depending on the candidate’s degree.

Requirements: Candidates with a Viticulture degree are preferred, but persons with degrees in agriculture, biology, chemistry, or botany and an interest in Viticulture are encouraged to apply. Master’s degree preferred; bachelor’s accepted. Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States without sponsorship.

Application Process: To apply, request an application packet from HCC Human Resources, 606 W. Main, Highland, KS 66035; 785-442-6010; egronniger@highlandcc.edu. Please indicate if you would like the application sent via email or through the postal service.

Highland Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WSU Tri-Cities seeks full-time Agricultural Research Technologist 3 to perform senior-level research and experiments in Viticulture.

Duties include: sample preparation of microscopy (Light, TEM & SEM), operating light & electron microscopes, conducting experiments related to plant water relations & stress physiology, knowledge of viticulture, enology & statistics, computer skills, analyzing morphometric data by digital image processing, routine lab maintenance, vineyard & greenhouse management, & direct involvement in viticulture research projects & teaching activities.

Required: 1) Bachelor’s Degree in biological or agricultural sciences and two years of experience as an Agricultural Research Technologist 2; or 2) equivalent education/experience. Valid driver’s license.

Preferred: Master’s degree in horticulture with a viticulture emphasis. Min. salary $2,994/mo. plus benefits.

Apply online by September 21, 2009, at www.wsujobs.com. Pre-employment background check required.

WSU is an EO/AA educator and employer

Bhaskar Bondada
Washington State University Tri-Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99354
Phone: 509-372-7348
Fax: 509-372-7219
Email: bbondada@wsu.edu

The Annual Meeting in Napa provided many firsts for ASEV, including successfully hosting a large event in the middle of a wine region. The 60th Annual Meeting provided 800 attendees with an exceptional and well-balanced program, offering a blend of the latest research reports, innovations and practical applications to its members.

This year’s Annual Meeting presented three distinct and well-attended symposia on Rootstock, High Brix and Cabernet. Each with its own unique topic of interest, these symposia provided specific content to start and end the week. The Rootstock Symposium, co-chaired by UC Davis’ Andy Walker and Jim Wolpert, provided a global perspective on the wild Vitis species highlighted by presentations from several university research projects. The High Brix Symposium, chaired by Jim Harbertson of Washington State University, Prosser, offered presentations by speakers on its current winemaking applications. The Cabernet Symposium, a perfect pairing with the Napa setting, ended the week with an exceptional tasting. Co-chaired by Christian Butzke of Purdue University and Michael Silacci of Opus One, this global discussion addressed perspectives on and experience in growing, crafting and aging the world’s finest Cabernets.

Researchers gathered together to address their common focus areas during the enology and viticulture research colloquia. These discussions assist in an intellectual exchange between fellow researchers from throughout the world in a more informal and intimate setting. The facilitators guided the discussions on grapevine genetics, trellis design and canopy management, microbiology and flavor, and wine aging.

Another highlight at this year’s meeting was the expansion of the Supplier- Industry Seminars, which were fully integrated into the conference program. While this year was transitional without the trade show, these seminars covered a wider range of topics, including cellar sanitation, emerging processes in the global marketplace, oak alternatives, uses of sprayers in vineyards, lab practices and winery construction. These in-depth, interactive presentations provide for a more personal exchange between the supplier and industry panel of speakers and the audience.

While this was the first hosting of the annual event among wineries and vineyards in the Napa Valley, the 2010 Annual Meeting is set to take place in Seattle with a focus on the famed Pacific Northwest wine and grape industry and a program that will integrate research reports, themed workshops, seminars and symposia. In conjunction with the 61st Annual Meeting, the International Cool Climate Symposium is being organized by the ASEV Northwest Chapter. Click here for more information about the 7th International Symposium on Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology and the Call for Abstracts.

Dr. Christian Butzke of Purdue University succeeded Opus One’s Michael Silacci as the ASEV board president on July 1.

“Michael Silacci, in his focused, sophisticated manner, has led an exceptional group of people who implemented a number of innovative program concepts and ideas,” said Butzke. “It has been an honor to work with him and to follow in his footsteps and expand on what he has started during his term.”

Christian Butzke, a former commercial winemaker, has been the enology professor at Purdue University’s Department of Food Science since 2005. He will lead the ASEV board as it works to enhance relevance and value for its membership through continually evolving programs, publications and special events. Butzke, a member of ASEV since 1993, has served five years on the board of directors and on almost every committee within the Society. He has also organized various successful ASEV and Unified Symposium program events, including the recent Cabernet Symposium in Napa, California.

John Clark of The Wine Group was re-elected as director and Patty Skinkis of Oregon State University is a new director. Thomas Collins of Foster’s Wine Estates Americas vacated his director position as he was appointed secretary/treasurer to complete the term previously held by Sara Spayd. Peter Cousins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Cornell (New York) and Jim Harbertson of Washington State University will continue as directors. Steve Kupina has resigned as Technical Projects Committee (TPC) Director due to professional redirection outside the industry, and the board will address this vacancy in August as well as the open director
position.

“Our board is made up of outstanding, dedicated individuals who understand the hard work ahead of us. I am thrilled to be working with our board and look forward to the year ahead,” said Butzke.