Grapes Content

Cabernet Can Survive Climate Change

Amy M Quinton — September 29, 2022 - 8:30am

51�ԹϺ�� Davis researchers find cabernet and other wine grapes can survive the extreme heat of climate change, with the right trellis system.

FFAR Grant to Help Improve Vineyard Soil Health

Katherine E Kerlin — August 03, 2022 - 12:20pm

Wine grapes are susceptible to subtle changes in temperature and precipitation, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Regenerative agriculture, which uses holistic farming and grazing practices to strengthen soil health and crop productivity, may help grape vines become more resilient to changing climate conditions. However, more research is needed to increase adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on vineyards.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis to Build New, $5.25M Greenhouse to Protect U.S. Grapevine Collection

Amy M Quinton — June 01, 2022 - 10:30am

51�ԹϺ�� Davis is safeguarding an important U.S. grapevine collection from red blotch disease by building a new insect proof greenhouse.

Can Water Saving Traits Help Wine Survive Climate Change?

Amy M Quinton — December 17, 2020 - 9:50am

Climate change is expected to make many grape-growing regions too hot and dry to produce high-quality wine from traditional varieties. But scientists at the University of California, Davis, have found that wine grape varieties from regions that are more prone to stress have traits that could help them cope with climate change.

Uncovering the Genetic Basis of Hermaphroditism in Grapes

Andy Fell — June 18, 2020 - 8:01am

Plant experts at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis have defined the genetic basis of sex determination in grapevines, one of the oldest and most valuable crops worldwide.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Releases 5 New Wine Grape Varieties

Amy M Quinton — December 18, 2019 - 10:23am

51�ԹϺ�� Davis releases five new wine grape varieties that are more sustainable and highly resistant to Pierce's disease.

Genomics Breakthrough Paves Way for Climate-Tolerant Wine Grape Varieties

Patricia Bailey — October 17, 2016 - 3:29pm

A new genome sequencing process, used to assemble the genome of cabernet sauvignon, the world's most popular red wine grape variety, should make it possible to develop new high quality wine grape varieties that can tolerate climate change.

Newly Identified Enzyme May Be the Culprit in Pierce’s Disease Grapevine Damage

Patricia Bailey — January 12, 2016 - 12:00am

51�ԹϺ�� Davis plant scientists have identified an enzyme that appears to play a key role in the insect-transmitted bacterial infection of grapevines with Pierce’s disease, which annually costs California’s grape and wine industries more than $100 million.

The researchers hope that the discovery, which runs counter to existing theories, will lead to new diagnostics and potential treatments for Pierce’s disease. Their findings are reported in Scientific Reports, an online journal of the Nature Publishing Group.

Premium-minded consumers split wine market, wine execs say

IET WebDev — September 21, 2015 - 11:20am

California’s wine industry will continue to split most of its sales above and below the $10-dollar-per-bottle mark, enjoying a rise in overall consumption and a growing emphasis on premium, rather than economy, wines, reported wine industry leaders surveyed by 51�ԹϺ�� Davis.

Challenges remain in the form of consolidation in the distribution and retail arms of the industry as well as in water and other environmental issues, the survey respondents said.