Viticulturist Dr. Yun Zhang of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Washington joined the American Society for Enology and Viticulture Board in 2021. As a new director, she is one of the new faces bringing an industry perspective to ASEV. Originally from China, she received her undergraduate degree in Agriculture Water Resources Engineering from Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University in Yangling, China. While pursuing her master’s degree, she worked on an irrigation engineering project in a vineyard in the northwestern region of China. It was there Zhang became interested in grapes, their physiology and their fruiting process. This inspired her to apply for a graduate program overseas, landing at Washington State University (WSU) in 2009 under advisor Dr. Markus Keller. The common theme in Zhang’s research studies is water, which ranges dramatically in scale from vineyard acreage proportion to a molecular level.

As a viticulturist at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, she is part of the viticulture team that is responsible for recommending irrigation applications, fertilizer program, integrated pest management, and canopy management as well as vineyard replanting.

“I am proud to be working at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. They have a long history of working with researchers and extension specialists and have developed a culture of open mindedness, collaboration, stewardship and most importantly, the freedom to pursue innovative research that I can implement in the vineyards. It’s one of the reasons why I joined the ASEV board. The connections I’ve made at ASEV are invaluable to me and my employer.”

Zhang has been a member of ASEV since 2012. There she has served on the ASEV Student Presentation Awards and ASEV Scholarship Committees. Zhang has also presented at the ASEV National Conference and Unified Symposium.

Currently, she serves as a collaborator on two research projects led by WSU researchers related to yield estimation and vineyard nutrient management. Her other activities include serving as a committee member for National Grape Research Alliance and a doctoral dissertation committee member for WSU. She previously served as the session chair for the Washington Winegrowers Association Annual Convention, industry advisor for Yakima Valley College and Vinewise® at Washington Winegrowers Association, and treasurer and board director for a non-profit organization Science Education and Exploration.

“I have benefited greatly as a member of ASEV, and I felt I had an opportunity to give back to this community when I was nominated for the Board. It’s satisfying to be able to provide my unique perspective from Washington and as someone who works in the private sector of the wine and grape industry.”

“ASEV is the platform to meet and to connect with people. When I attend in-person events like the National Conference and Unified Symposium, I get to exchange ideas that set off other ideas that are crucial to my work. ASEV is the place where if you have questions, you can find a connection that will point you in the right direction. Not to mention the Journal, which I refer to all the time.”

“ASEV is a great value membership for students, professionals, and private companies who are looking to recruit exceptional students or early career members for internships or employment.”

She is a mother of a kindergartner, loves nature, and takes dancing lessons in her free time.