I am pleased to share the 2024 Robert Mondavi Institute Year in Review. I hope you will read about last year's RMI highlights and accomplishments with a focus on student engagement and partnerships. You can find all of our reports on the RMI website.

Whether you are a future food scientist or a regular foodie, the Food Tech Club at UC Davis is a great opportunity for students to grow and connect with others. For over 50 years, the Food Tech Club has served as a student chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to connect students, faculty, professionals, and community members to something we all love: food!

The Department of Food Science and Technology’s senior product showcase has become a celebratory event among community members, students, and faculty. The Senior class of 2025 presented their ideas during a 10-week period this spring. With the guidance of Dr. Andrew Gravelle, Dr. Jean-Xavier Guinard, and Matthew Ford, eight teams crafted healthy, sustainable, and delicious food, all while considering affordability, safety, and profitability.

Another academic year has come to a close and we congratulate all of the students who graduated this month. I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments of the students and can't wait to see their successes in the future.

From the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

For the first time in its storied history, the University of California, Davis, is selling wines to the public made by students, staff and faculty from grapes they grow in the Napa Valley and around campus in Yolo County.

Food is an unusual topic when it comes to AI (artificial intelligence), but you’d be surprised to know that there are already products that were made with it that are dropping into shopping carts. Last Thursday, Dr. Ned Spang opened up the floor to three experts to discuss where this new innovation is leading us. Although significantly reducing cost and time, will this tool ultimately help or hinder your next meal?

This year’s Women in Wine Symposium boldly embraced the theme “Breaking Tradition.” Hosted by the student-led UC Davis Women in Wine group, the event brought together leaders, students, alumni, and advocates committed to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative wine industry. 

Have you ever wondered how sake is made? We asked experts in the field what’s brewing for this traditional Japanese beverage. From new innovative flavors to getting more sake in local stores, our panelists hope it will be the Bay Area’s next big hit!

UC Davis is gearing up for the end of the quarter, and our final Savor for the academic year is next week.

The Robert Mondavi Institute courtyard came alive at the UC Davis Alumni Wine Showcase. UC Davis alumni winemakers gathered to pour, connect, and celebrate their shared foundation in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. The event showcased the strength of the UC Davis wine network, from icons like Schramsberg Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, and Williams Selyem, to rising stars like Great Bear Vineyards, Eco Terreno, Forgotten Union Wines, and others.