Winter academic quarter wraps up today, and the first day of spring brings new activities on the horizon that feature many students and alums.

On Friday, April 11, we are excited to offer a UC Davis Alumni Wine Showcase in partnership with Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) and the Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E). Attendees will sample wines from select alumni winemakers and wineries. Women in Wine and Davis Enology and Viticulture Organization (DEVO) will also share tastes of wines made by V&E students. If you are visiting for Picnic Day, join us for a special tasting the day before.

Speaking of alums, Martin Yan ('73, M.S.' 77) will host a special six-course dinner and California wine pairing on June 1. The wines will be from alumni wineries, and the dishes will be Yan's personal recipes. It promises to be a delicious evening brought to you by the America-China Talk (ACT) and the UC Davis Department of East Asian Languages.

I am always impressed with the student-led organizations on campus and two upcoming events showcase their dedication to supporting each other and sharing their work with the public. Women in Wine will host its 2nd annual symposium, "Breaking Tradition in the Wine Industry," with distinguished panelists and speakers. The 24th annual Winkler Dinner will be presented by DEVO on May 24, boasting a multi-course meal, paired wines, and an exclusive auction. Tickets will go on sale Monday, March 24, at 8:00 am PST. Mark your calendars because it sells out every year.

Save the date for the 111th Picnic Day on April 12. The Robert Mondavi Institute will have many activities, including tastings, demonstrations, and tours, many of which will be provided by student organizations. The detailed schedule of events will be posted soon on the Picnic Day website.

Two of our past events sold out quickly, but our student writers have published recaps sharing the program's most significant takeaways. Visit our blog to read California's Caviar, Sparkling Wine and Future of Sustainable Luxuries by Gwen Gonzalez, and The Art, and Science, of Wine Tasting by Kaylianne Jordan.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of presenting at the Natural Products Expo West with UC Davis colleagues Justin Siegel and Nitin Nitin. Our topics focused on AI and its effect on the food industry. You can read about the up-and-coming food products, including ones that reduce food waste, in the recent LAist article.

Thanks for supporting the RMI and happy spring!

Ned Spang
Director, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science
Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology

View the entire March 2025 newsletter.