Shared commitment expands investment in scientific research supporting Oregon vineyards and wineries
Portland, Ore. — (June 23, 2026) — The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and the Erath Family Foundation (EFF) announce a collaboration to support scientific research advancing grape growing and winemaking in Oregon. The organizations awarded nearly $400,000 to eight scientific research projects beginning July 1, 2026.
The collaboration combines OWB’s foundational commitment to scientific research that furthers the Oregon wine industry with support from EFF, expanding Oregon’s capacity to address the evolving needs of winegrowers and winemakers across the state. OWB is providing $192,000 in funding to support three continuing projects. EFF will fund five new research initiatives recommended by OWB’s Research Committee, totaling $206,000. Collectively, the projects span emerging challenges and opportunities in vineyard management, sustainability, pest and disease control, and wine quality, reinforcing the Oregon wine industry’s commitment to science-driven innovation during a period of sustained environmental and economic challenges.
“This collaboration with Erath Family Foundation expands our ability to fund meaningful research that addresses current challenges faced in the vineyard and cellar,” said Gina Bianco, executive director of OWB. “The selected projects reflect some of the most pressing issues facing Oregon growers and winemakers and promise to generate practical knowledge for the betterment of vineyards and wineries across the state.”
The projects were recommended by OWB’s Research Committee, comprised of 36 viticulturists and winemakers from around the state, after its review of 19 applications received in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued this past winter. The RFP reflected OWB’s strategic research aim of championing the continuous improvement of Oregon’s capacity to produce world-class wines, and the committee assessed applications for scientific strength and relevance as defined by four strategic pillars: Wine Quality, Sustainable Production, Changing Climate, and Foundational Research.
Together, the funded projects address critical priorities for Oregon wine production. Several focus on vineyard pest and disease management, including studies of mealybug control, plant-parasitic nematodes, Grapevine Red Blotch Virus, and emerging trunk disease pathogens. Other projects explore vineyard resilience through rootstock performance and nutrient management, while additional research examines microbial dynamics during Pinot noir fermentation and its impact on wine quality.
“Dick Erath understood that the future of Oregon wine depended on a willingness to share knowledge, invest in research, and work together to solve challenges,” said John Hirschy, president of the Erath Family Foundation. “As one of the founders of Oregon’s modern wine industry, Dick believed scientific advancement and collaboration were essential to producing world-class wines. The EFF has funded viticultural and enological research since its formation in 2006, and we’re proud to continue Dick’s legacy by supporting research that strengthens Oregon vineyards and wineries for generations to come.”
The following projects were selected for funding through the Oregon Wine Board–Erath Family Foundation research collaboration.
Continuing Projects Funded by Oregon Wine Board:
Vineyard Resilience and Sustainability
Understanding rootstock impacts on Pinot noir vine balance and fruit chemistry (Year 3 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Patty Skinkis, Oregon State University Oregon Wine Research Institute
Integrated Pest Management
Biorational control of mealybugs in vineyards (Year 3 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vaughn Walton, Oregon State University
Disease Prevention and Management
Investigating vectors and rootstock-dependent latency of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus (Year 2 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Orpet, Oregon State University Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
New Projects Funded by Erath Family Foundation:
Pest and Disease Research
Distribution and abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes in Oregon vineyards (Year 1 of 1)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Alexander Levin, Oregon State University Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
Mealybug pests of vineyards: biological control survey (Year 1 of 2)
Principal Investigator: Josh Vlach, Oregon Department of Agriculture
Emerging and latent grapevine trunk disease pathogens in Oregon: Biology and sustainable management (Year 1 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Achala KC, Oregon State University Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
Vineyard Health and Climate Resilience
Potassium physiology across ten grapevine rootstocks: From genes to juice (Year 1 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Alexander Levin, Oregon State University Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
Wine Quality and Enological Practices
Microbial dynamics during cold soaking and fermentation of Pinot noir under different sulfur dioxide and biocontrol regimes and consequences for wine quality (Year 1 of 3)
Principal Investigator: Dr. James Osborne, Oregon State University Oregon Wine Research Institute
Brief overviews of the funded projects can be found on OWB’s website.
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About Oregon Wine Board (OWB):
The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) is a semi-independent Oregon state agency leading efforts in marketing, research, and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions to ensure they are supported and empowered. To learn more, visit industry.oregonwine.org.
About Erath Family Foundation (EFF):
The Erath Family Foundation funds projects that catalyze innovative approaches to advancing science and education in the fields of enology and viticulture. Founded in 2006 by Dick Erath, a pioneer of Oregon’s modern wine industry, the Foundation has invested more than two million dollars in regional wine industry initiatives spanning research, education, and support services. To learn more, visit erathfamilyfoundation.org.
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