American Vineyard Foundation Provides Over One Million Dollars to Fund Viticulture and Enology Research

Napa, CA – The American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) is pleased to announce funding of over one-million dollars in viticulture and enology research again this year.  The AVF,  which relies on voluntary contributions, maintained support for ongoing projects and provided funding for several new high priority projects. “Thanks to the generosity of nearly one-thousand grower and vintner members, AVF support continues to drive industry research to address the challenges we face in our vineyards and wineries,” remarked AVF Chairman Tony Stephen.

The AVF was able to fund twenty-five of the seventy-one project proposals submitted for research grant consideration.  Each proposal was carefully reviewed by one of six industry panels based on scientific merit, ability to achieve objectives and value to the industry.

The AVF is also partnering with other industry agencies in collaboration with the National Grape and Wine initiative (NGWI) to fund a larger scale project for increasing vineyard efficiency and productivity.  This will be achieved with newly developed technology using field data capture and computer modeling to better predict vineyard variance, ripening and yield expectations.

Members of the AVF are surveyed on a periodic basis to ascertain which issues are most in need of research.  A survey will be conducted later this year and the results will be posted on its website providing researchers and research institutions insight and direction for crafting proposals aligned with grape and wine industry needs.

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. For more information visit www.avf.org