ASEV Platform

ASEV Platform – August 29, 2023

ASEV Platform

Welcome 2023-2024 ASEV Board and President!

Dr. Michelle Moyer, Washington State University, Prosser, professor and viticulture extension specialist, has been confirmed as the president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) for 2023-2024.

ASEV’s Board of Directors for 2023-2024 also includes:

  • Vice President – Anita Oberholster: Vice-chair and Professor of Cooperative Extension in Enology at the University of California, Davis
  • Second Vice President – James Osborne: Professor and Enology Extension Specialist at Oregon State University, Corvallis
  • Secretary-Treasurer – Torey Arvik: Director of Applied Research at Jackson Family Wines and Chief Science Officer at SonomaCeuticals/Whole Vine Products in Santa Rosa, California
  • Science Editor – Markus Keller: Distinguished Professor of Viticulture at Washington State University, Prosser
  • Technical Program Director – James Harbertson: Associate Professor of Enology at Washington State University, Tri-Cities
  • Director – Karen Block: Director of Industry Relations at the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis
  • Director Federico Casassa: Associate Professor of Enology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • Director Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez: Head Winemaker at the University of California, Davis
  • Director – Hope Goldie: Director of Winemaking at Darioush Winery in Napa, California
  • Director – Anna Katharine Mansfield: Associate Professor of Enology at Cornell’s NYSAES in Geneva, New York
  • Director Yun Zhang: Viticulturist at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Prosser, Washington

Read the press release.

ASEV Platform

See Snaps from the 2023 National Conference

Smiling faces, learning opportunities, lively networking and occasional sips can be seen in the photo collage from the 74th ASEV National Conference in Napa, California. Look back and reminisce with us by checking out the ASEV photos at asev.org/photos.

ASEV would like to thank the speakers, sponsors, committee volunteers and attendees for making this one of ASEV’s most successful gatherings.

We look forward to seeing you at the 75th ASEV National Conference in Portland, Oregon, on June 17-20, 2024.

ASEV Platform

2023 ASEV National Conference Audio Recordings Available for Purchase

The National Conference in Napa was filled with dynamic presentations, including the sold-out Climate Change Symposium – Part 2: Enology, Merit Award, Keynote Presentation, Extension Distinction Presentation, Honorary Research Lecture and the numerous research lectures. If you’re looking to hear some or all of the presentations from the 74th ASEV National Conference, you can purchase the audio recordings here.

All oral conference presentations are available for download or on USB.

Order audio recordings here

ASEV Platform

International Climate Change Symposium Speakers Available Now on Video On-Demand

ASEV members can now view international speakers’ presentations from the Climate Change Symposium: Part 2 – Enology. Presentations include:

  • Changing Conditions Fruit and Wine Composition by Veronique Chenyier, French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), France
  • The Smell of Climate Change: A Comparison of Bordeaux vs. Napa by Alexandre Pons, University of Bordeaux, France
  • How Does Climate Change Impact Wine Composition? by Monica Christmann, Geiseheim University, Germany
  • Facing Climate Change in Winemaking Innovated Microbial Solutions by Jessica Noble, Lallemand Oenologie, France
  • Strategies for Reducing Alcohol Concentration in Wine by Cristian Varela, The Australian Wine Research Institute

Members can find these and other featured videos on-demand on the ASEV website.

ASEV Platform

Time to Start Digging!

Help ASEV celebrate its upcoming 75th Anniversary in the best way we know how – indulging in some nostalgia and looking back at people, places and the fun times we’ve had together over the years! Unearth those precious and cherished photos and share them with us. We’re looking for photos of fun events, meaningful projects, close friends and colleagues to include in a commemorative online yearbook for the 2024 ASEV National Conference.

Please share your photos by April 3, 2024 (earlier is better) by one of three ways:

  1. Mail to ASEV office address:
    1724 Picasso Avenue, Suite E
    Davis, CA 95618 
  2. Upload to the online album
  3. Email to info@asev.org

We are looking forward to collaborating with you for a fun trip down memory lane! For questions, call the ASEV office at (530) 753-3142.

ASEV Platform

Twenty-Five Students Awarded $107,500 in Scholarships

Over $100,000 in scholarships were awarded to 25 students throughout North America by ASEV. The ASEV’s scholarship program supports students pursuing scientific research and advancement in enology or viticulture.  

ASEV’s traditional scholarship program is available to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or in a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry. The ASEV Presidents’ Award for Scholarship in Enology and Viticulture awards $12,500 each to two students who exceed the expectations of the traditional program. Yiliang Cheng of Iowa State University, Ames, received the award for enology and Meredith Persico of The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, received the award for viticulture. Click to watch Yiliang and Meredith’s videos.

Twenty-three additional students from the United States and Canada were awarded traditional scholarships. Click to view the list of recipients.

Read the press release.

ASEV Platform

Impact the Future of the Wine & Grape Industry by Donating Today

Support student scholarships by donating to the ASEV Foundation. If making an impact and providing a legacy for future leaders in enology and viticulture is important to you, learn more on how to donate to the ASEV Foundation.

The ASEV Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-exempt public benefit corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Learn more about the Foundation

Donate Today

ASEV Platform

2023 Best Student Presentation Award Winners

At the ASEV National Conference held in June in Napa, ASEV provided a venue for more than 40 students from around the globe to present their research. Students gave poster and oral presentations, as well as flash talks. The six students that received the 2023 Best Student Presentation Award include:

For Viticulture:

  • Oral Presentation
    Hongrui Wang
    , Cornell University, New York
    Development and Deployment of an Auto-Machine Learning Prediction Model to Monitor Grapevine Freezing Tolerance in the Eastern United States
  • Poster Presentation
    Noelymar Gonzalez-Maldonado
    , University of California, Davis
    Assessing the Variability of Soil Health Indicators Across California Vineyards
  • Flash Talk
    David Campbell
    , The Pennsylvania State University, State College
    Environmental Drivers of Tannin Extractability in Pennsylvania Winegrapes

For Enology:

  • Oral Presentation
    Marcel Hensel
    , Dienstleistungszentrum ländlicher Raum, Germany
    A Machine Learning Application to Differentiate White Wine, Blanc de noir, and Rosé Wine Based on CIEL*a*b*
  • Poster Presentation
    Allison Badar, University of California, Davis
    Remediation of Smoke-Impacted Wine Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
  • Flash Talk
    Matt Garcia
    , Oregon State University, Corvallis
    Impact of Malolactic Fermentation Timing and Use of Torulaspora delbrueckii on Pinot noir Wine Properties

Best student presentations are sponsored by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines for viticulture oral, poster and flash talks and Lallemand for enology oral, poster and flash talks.

Read the press release.

ASEV Platform

ASEV Webinar Takeaways

Missed the most recent monthly webinars? Below are summaries of the last two presentations. Join our next webinar in October.

May Webinar: Stilbenes Can Impair Malolactic Fermentation with Strains of Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus plantarum

Presented by: Fabian Weber, University of Kassel and Pascal Wegmann-Herr, DLR Rheinpfalz, Germany

Moderated by: Megan Hall

Wine is made up of various microorganisms that interact in complex ways. These include microorganisms from the grapes themselves and those influenced by viticultural practices. This presentation focused on a specific fermentation process known as malolactic fermentation (MLF), which follows alcoholic fermentation.

Researchers discussed their work investigating the impact of phenolic compounds on MLF in wine production, including the potential implications of their findings and how different phenolic compounds might affect the fermentation process. They also explored the complexity of the wine production process, considering factors such as grape varieties, fungal infections, pH levels and more.

  • Malolactic Fermentation (MLF): MLF is carried out by lactic acid bacteria and involves the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid. This process leads to a decrease in acidity and can impact the taste, aroma, and color of the wine. MLF is influenced by factors such as grape variety, grape health, and enological practices.
  • Stilbenes and Their Impact: Researchers investigated the effects of a group of compounds called stilbenes on MLF. Stilbenes are found in grapes and have been associated with certain health benefits. However, certain grape varieties rich in stilbenes were found to experience difficulties in MLF.
  • Research Setup: Researchers created a simplified model solution to study the effects of stilbenes on MLF. They added different types of stilbenes and grape shoot extract to the solution, then observed the impact on two strains of lactic acid bacteria involved in MLF.
  • Strain-Dependent Effects: The results showed that the impact of stilbenes on MLF is dependent on the specific strains of lactic acid bacteria. Some strains were inhibited by certain stilbenes, while others were not affected or even enhanced in their activity. This suggests that different strains respond differently to stilbenes, making the process complex and strain-specific.

In conclusion, the study highlights that the relationship between grape phenolic compounds such as stilbenes and the behavior of lactic acid bacteria is intricate and varies with different strains. There is need for careful consideration of MLF starter cultures based on grape variety and health, as well as the potential use of certain phenolic compounds to manage grape infections and enhance wine quality.

Read the Article on AJEV: Stilbenes Can Impair Malolactic Fermentation with Strains of Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus plantarum

July Webinar: Effects of Viticultural Mechanization on Working Time Requirements and Production Costs

Presented by: Larissa Strub, Simone Loose, and Andreas Kurth from Hochschule Geisenheim University, Germany

Moderated by: Lindsay Jordon, Constellation Brands

In the ever-evolving landscape of viticulture, the role of mechanization has emerged as a crucial factor in shaping both working time requirements and production costs. This presentation examined the significance of this trend.

  • Labor Efficiency Enhancement: Mechanization has proven to be a game-changer in improving labor efficiency. By automating tasks such as pruning, harvesting, and canopy management, vineyard operators can significantly reduce the time required to perform these activities. This not only addresses labor shortages often faced during peak seasons but also minimizes physical strain on workers.
  • Impact on Production Costs: There is a profound effect of mechanization on production costs. While the initial investment for machinery and technology can be substantial, the long-term savings in labor and increased productivity can substantially outweigh these costs. Proper maintenance and strategic implementation are key to maximizing return on investment.
  • Variability in Mechanization Suitability: Not all vineyards or tasks can be uniformly mechanized. Factors such as vineyard layout, terrain, grape varieties, and quality goals influence the feasibility and effectiveness of mechanized solutions. Vineyard managers must assess which tasks are  best suited for mechanization while considering site-specific conditions.
  • Data-driven Decision-making: Mechanization extends beyond physical machinery. The integration of data collection and analysis, such as vine health monitoring and yield prediction, enables informed decision-making. Real-time data is critical to properly adjusting mechanization strategies and optimizing overall operations.
  • Skilled Workforce Evolution: Mechanization shifts the demand for labor from manual labor-intensive tasks toward technical oversight and machinery management. This shift highlights the need for training labor forces to handle advanced machinery, driving a new wave of education and training in the viticulture sector.

Read the Article on AJEV: Effects of Viticultural Mechanization on Working Time Requirements and Production Costs