DAVIS, CALIF., May 13, 2016… Enology Professor Emeritus Dr. Bruce Zoecklein of Virginia Tech will be this year’s recipient of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s (ASEV) Extension Distinction Award. This honor recognizes a current extension educator for outstanding contribution to an extension program or the advanced translation of novel research findings into commercially applicable tools for enologists or viticulturists. Dr. Zoecklein will share his presentation, “In Vino Veritas and Jefferson’s Dream,” on June 29, 2016, at the 67^th ASEV National Conference in Monterey, California.

“The overarching philosophy underpinning our extension efforts is to keep things as simple as possible, but not simpler, and to highlight to industry that the greatest obstacle in discovering the truth is to be convinced you already know it,” said Dr. Zoecklein.

            Dr. Zoecklein is currently the research coordinator for Applied Research Cooperative (ARC), a federation of wineries in California, Oregon and Washington, conducting science-based applied research. He’s the former head of the Enology-Grape Chemistry Group at Virginia Tech and editor of Winery Planning and Design and Enology Notes, a technical brief with more than 3,500 subscribers that discusses practical grapegrowing and winemaking issues. He is a co-author of Wine Analysis and Production and a certified auditor for the Wine Institute’s Sustainable Winegrower’s Alliance.

Dr. Zoecklein taught enology at California State University, Fresno, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. As head of the Enology-Grape Chemistry Group, he conducted research, extension, classroom and graduate student education, and oversaw the creation of a commercial analytical laboratory service for the wine industry. His research interests include grape-derived aroma and flavor compounds.  Following his retirement from Virginia Tech, he was rehired to continue his research.

Dr. Zoecklein will be speaking at the 67^th ASEV National Conference. For more information about the ASEV’s National Conference featuring the latest research in enology and viticulture, practical industry seminars that showcase products for commercial winemaking and grapegrowing, a full-day symposium on water management, a winery and vineyard tour and a regional wine reception, visit asev.org for the daily schedule.

Click here to register for the conference.