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. 

A professorship at the University of California is an honor and privilege that I have been lucky to hold. And UC Davis’ fame for wine research and teaching has meant that I would be treated to endless hospitality at wineries, whether in Napa, Vipava Valley, or Martinborough. My friends were often astonished by the generosity (and technical discussions) when they accompanied me on visits. It’s no wonder some are reluctant to retire, but after 31 years, it is time to let others take on the role of professor. 

However, I will continue as the Director of the Robert Mondavi Institute. I feel strongly about our public outreach mission, and it appears that we have been successful with programs that have been both educational and popular. So, I look forward to bringing back in-person events while continuing to broadcast programs virtually. We are busy planning some excellent tastings and discussions. 

For instance, I hope you’ll join us for Savor: Sustaining Small Farms on June 29. We’ll explore why small farms are vital, their challenges, and what we can do to help. Join Paul Muller of Full Belly Farm, Ruth Dahlquist-Willard of the UC Cooperative Extension, and David Mancera of Kitchen Table Advisors to discuss how we can ensure an agricultural economy where small farmers thrive.

The Olive Center continues its monthly classes with their upcoming Growing Olives for Oil Production on July 15-16. They have an exciting lineup: a summer youth class, milling course, and growing for table olives. Visit their website for updates.

Topics for future events include dairy innovation, the Goat Teaching and Research Facility, mushrooms, and late summer produce tasting hosted in-person in the Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute. Look forward to details next month.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Andrew Waterhouse
Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology

Read the June Newsletter for more information.