Events Blog Posts

October 2022: Letter from the Director

Last Saturday, our TASTE food and wine-tasting fundraiser welcomed more than 300 people to a beautiful evening in the Good Life Garden. It featured some of the best local and regional wineries, breweries, restaurants, and UC Davis centers and initiatives. Our sold-out event raised $9,000 for the UC Davis Student Farm! We are proud to support their work and encourage you to visit their website to learn more and donate directly.

Vote With Your Wine Glass

When a consumer walks down the grocery store wine aisle, their eyes are simultaneously bombarded with a multitude of colors and pictures on labels, with each label representing one of the many brands trying to reach the consumer. Competition abounds, so brands attempt to grab consumers’ attention quickly. There is one wine company that stands out. It’s not because of fancy embossed labels or contorted glass bottles; rather, O’Neill Vintners and Distillers stands out because of its commitment to sustainability.

September 2022: Letter from the Director

The UC Davis campus is buzzing with energy with the return of students and the start of the fall quarter. We saw unprecedented rainfall this week, which brought a feeling of a fresh new beginning and a change of season.

Fall also ushers in a busy season of educational and entertaining events with more in-person opportunities to attend. We will also have live broadcast virtual options for most experiences if you join from out of the area.

August 2022: Letter from the Director

Even with the high temperatures this week, you can feel fall approaching. The grape harvest has started in the teaching vineyard at the Robert Mondavi Institute, and the campus is gearing up for the return of students next month.

Shop Small Farms

Shopping at the Davis Farmers Market is a classic Saturday morning activity for Davis locals and visitors alike. Showcasing freshly picked, vibrant fruits and vegetables, local farmers line up stalls to market their produce to the community and connect with consumers. These farmers come from small farms, the topic of the recent Savor lecture, hosted by the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine, titled “Sustaining Small Farms.”

June 2022: Letter from the Director

You may have heard via the Viticulture and Enology newsletter that I will retire as a professor at the end of this month. Attending the commencement ceremonies was especially poignant as I walked across the stage with my last Ph.D. student and Master’s student. I enjoyed working with enology students the most, helping them find their way, and making contacts for internships and full-time positions that helped advance their career and personal goals. 

May 2022: Letter from the Director

It feels like we just returned to campus in the fall, but we are fast approaching the end of the academic year with commencements in early June. It has been wonderful to see the Robert Mondavi Institute alive with in-person celebrations.

April 2022: Letter from the Director

Spring has sprung, and it's hard to believe we are almost to May. But I'd like to take a moment to reflect on 2021 and share our Year in Review publication that highlights our achievements. I am proud of the outreach events my staff, collaborators, and I have offered on various topics.

I Can't Believe It's Not Meat

The recent increase in research on the benefits of eating plant-based meals for environmental reasons and personal health and wellness has led to a rise in vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets, prompting consumers to reach for plant-based meat alternatives instead of conventional meats. These plant-based meat alternatives were explored in the Robert Mondavi Institute’s recent forum “Diners, Drivers, and the Design of Meat Alternatives,” featuring Dr.

February 2022: Letter from the Director

Even though we are experiencing a cold snap in Davis this week, you can feel that spring is just around the corner. We are ramping up for a busy spring with many upcoming events.

There is still time to register for tonight's Walt Klenz series with Martha Stoumen. They will be discussing the rising popularity of natural wines, farming, production, and the business behind these low-intervention wines.

January 2022: Letter from the Director

It’s hard to believe we are entering our third year of the pandemic. I’m proud of the Institute’s ability to remain flexible and innovative as we’ve continued to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. 
 

November 2021: Letter from the Director

The holidays are upon us, and we hope you can sit down to a meal with family and friends once again this season. Our upcoming events highlight delicious additions to your table.

Before we look forward, let’s look back. Our Savor event at the end of October about breast milk and infant health was lively and informative! The innovative, game show-style format was engaging, and I encourage you to watch the video recording. You won’t regret it.