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!

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.

Climate change is still an ongoing and pressing issue, especially for the agricultural industry. At UC Davis, community members listened to four experts in the field of regenerative agriculture to find that the solution is right under our noses…or, in this case, under our feet.

The Robert Mondavi Institute and the whole UC Davis campus have been buzzing with activity in the last week.

From the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

When Alexandra Leite arrived on the UC Davis campus as a viticulture and enology major last year, it was a bit intimidating navigating her new world.

But when she was teamed up with an upper-division mentor through the Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization, or DEVO, all the possibilities of the major opened up as she met other students and attended events.

Have you ever wondered how winemakers and sommeliers seem better at tasting wine than everyone else? It’s not magic. It’s exposure. Over time, they sharpen their senses and learn to taste with intention. 

At a special student-led event, UC Davis Ph.D. candidates Arpa Boghozian and Lik Xian showed us that anyone can develop these skills. With the right approach, we can train our senses to experience wine on a whole new level.