It has been a whirlwind since our last newsletter, with multiple sold-out events and news to share.
Last Saturday, we hosted our 12th Annual TASTE Food and Wine Tasting. It was a beautifully cool fall evening filled with camaraderie, great wine, delicious food and lively conversation. We are grateful to every guest who helped raise funds to support public scholarship, highlighting food and beverage innovation and research at UC Davis.
For every juicy tomato or crunchy almond California grows, there’s a pile of pulp, hulls or scraps that often goes to waste. A new online tool, created by University of California, Davis researchers, tracks those agricultural byproducts aiming to find innovative ways to put them to use.
Students have returned to campus and today marks the start of the fall quarter. It feels like we have hit the ground running as the weather cools and the leaves start to change color.
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.
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.
The new year is usually a time for hope and looking forward to the future. Instead, the loss of a dear colleague and the destructive wildfires around Los Angeles consume our thoughts.
The campus is quiet this week as the students enjoy the winter break. It's that time of year when we begin to reflect on the past 12 months and plan for 2025.
In November, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) embarked on a wine trip that took enthusiasts on an extraordinary journey through France’s most iconic wine regions. Blending education, culture, and camaraderie, the trip left an indelible mark on all who participated. Among the participants was Ned Spang, director of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, who shared his reflections on this immersive experience.
The days feel shorter, and the rainy weather has arrived for winter. We settle into this cozy season thinking about how grateful we are to our supporters, partners, and student workers who help bring food and wine programs to you and all our attendees who learn and have fun with the institute. We have exciting upcoming events, news, and videos this month.
Last Saturday, we welcomed TASTE guests for an evening of wine, food, and music in the courtyard of the Robert Mondavi Institute Sensory building. The weather was beautiful, and as I walked around and chatted with attendees and vendors, I was reminded how important it is to gather together and connect. I had so many great conversations with colleagues, friends, and neighbors.
When the academic year starts, there is always a buzz of excitement. Students are moving in, faculty are preparing for classes, and we are solidifying our events for the year.
Summer has gone by quickly, and the campus is already preparing for the return of students next month. Fall feels like it is peeking around the corner with slightly cooler weather, and this year's grape harvest has started in the RMI vineyards.
