It may still be raining in Northern California, but the winter quarter is ending for students with finals next week, and the trees on campus are starting to bloom! Spring ushers in a busy time with many intriguing events.

This Friday, March 17, we'll host an important Savor event, Viticultores: Mexican American Perspective on Grapes, Community and Resilience. I encourage you to register to learn about the highly-skilled workers who cultivate some of the best grapes in Napa Valley.

Sips and Bites: All About Grains is on April 11 and features the UC Davis SCOPE plant breeding project. They are making strides in producing grains with better flavor that appeal to artisan bakers and specialty markets. Attendees will taste crackers made with three different grains, including an interesting wheat-rye hybrid.

On May 16, Forum: UC Davis Farm will highlight their small farm making significant impacts for students. We'll hear from the new director Colin Dixon, and students will join him to talk about growing organic vegetables for their CSA boxes and student pantry, their cut flower program, and much more.

Two significant campus events are also coming up this Spring. The 109th Picnic Day will be on April 15, with olive oil and honey tasting at the Robert Mondavi Institute and many other events across campus. On May 6, the student-run Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization (DEVO) will host the 22nd Annual Winkler Dinner. I highly recommend attending to support DEVO and enjoy an evening of excellent wine, exclusive auction items, and delicious food. Tickets will be on sale soon.

Shared below are features highlighting some of the innovative research happening in the academic departments at the Robert Mondavi Institute. An interview about plant-based milk with faculty from the Department of Food Science and Technology, and accolades for work on smoke-taint in wine grapes for faculty of the Department of Viticulture and Enology.

And finally, the Delarue lab is looking for people to participate in consumer product research. Fill out this interest form, and they will invite you to their upcoming product tastings.

I hope to see you at an upcoming event!

Sincerely,

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

View the entire March 2023 Newsletter