$1.9 Million in Funding for Viticulture Research

Napa, CA – Three major viticultural research funding organizations have joined together to contribute almost $2 million for viticulture and enology research projects in 2009. Over $1 million in funding was granted by the American Vineyard Foundation, with the balance coming from the Viticulture Consortium West and the California Competitive Grant Program for Research in Viticulture and Enology.

A total of 125 research proposals, including such diverse topics as leafroll disease, diminishing greenhouse gas emissions, and mealybug sex pheromones, were meticulously reviewed by a panel made up of members from each granting authority. In the end, 56 projects were funded, 38 of those by the AVF.

“We are very pleased with the caliber of research proposals which have been submitted,” says Hal Huffsmith, Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations at Trinchero Wine Estates. “Each year the researchers delve deeper into the issues which are most important to the grape industry.”

Members of the American Vineyard Foundation are surveyed on a periodic basis to ascertain which topics are most in need of research. These results are then posted and may be reviewed by researchers and research institutions. “With more funding we will be able to research even more of the issues which impact our industry,” notes Huffsmith.

About the American Vineyard Foundation

The American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) is a California corporation organized in 1978 by the American Society of Enology and Viticulture as a vehicle to raise funds for research in viticulture and enology. Basic and applied research has made the American grape and wine industry the world’s leader. The AVF provides a unique opportunity to unify the industry through an industry-wide research effort to maintain this progress.

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