2021-22 OWB Funded Research
Determining optimal irrigation initiation time
Dr. Alec Levin summarizes his latest research into the optimal timing to initiate [...]
The Oregon Wine Board provides, pursuant to its legislative charter, research grants to institutions for research in viticulture and enology of particular relevance to the Oregon wine industry. The results of OWB-supported technical research are reported to the industry through seminars, symposia, extension publications, and peer-reviewed journals.
Vision
Champion continuous improvement of Oregon’s capacity to produce world-class wines that reflect a sense of place by sponsoring industry-leading research in the development of sustainable practices and climate-adaptive skills.
Strategic plan
Funding decisions are guided by the OWB’s strategic plan for viticulture and enology research. The current plan was developed by a group of industry experts and approved by the Board in 2018.
Areas of strategic importance:
Wine Quality
Sustainable Production
Changing Climate
Foundational Research
Research committee overview
Central to this function of the OWB Research Committee, which is comprised of Oregon-based viticulture and enology professionals. The Committee annually discusses and approves a request for applications (RFA). Members evaluate applications for quality, relevance, budget, and staff/facility resources, and the Committee recommends a list of proposals for funding to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors.
View the current research committee roster
Learn about requirements and expectations of research committee service
Research Committee Meetings
Upcoming Meetings
Feb. 8, 2023 – Steering Committee, Random project assignment
Feb. 15, 2023- Volunteer Reviewers Orientation Training at Symposium
April 4, 2023 – Steering Committee
April 6, 2023 – Full Committee meeting
April 13, 2023 – Steering Committee (to be confirmed)
April 25, 2023 – Projects selected for funding presented to the OWB Board of Directors
May 18, 2023 – (date to be confirmed) Steering Committee
Committee Meeting Notes
Meeting agendas, recordings and notes are available upon request.
Send your request to research@oregonwine.org
Request for Applications
OWB-funded technical research updates
The updates below are provided for the industry by the investigators.
2021-22 OWB Funded Research
Rootstock effects on mature Pinot noir growth and productivity under cool climate, dry-farmed conditions
Dr. Patty Skinkis summarizes her latest work on the rootstock effects on mature Pinot [...]
2021-22 OWB Funded Research
Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs) in Oregon Vineyards: A Pilot Project on Epidemiology and Management
Dr. Achala KC summarizes her latest work on understanding grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) in Oregon [...]
2021-22 OWB Funded Research
Characterizing Willamette Valley Soil Moisture and Grapevine Response Under Drying Seasonal Conditions
Dr. Patty Skinkis summarizes her latest work on characterizing soil moisture conditions [...]
2021-22 OWB Funded Research
Botrytis Bunch Rot: Who, Where, When, And What to Use
Walt Mahaffee and Alexander Wong summarize their latest work on the effects of Botrytis Bunch [...]
2021-2022 OWB Funded Research Projects
Project summaries for scientific research funded by OWB in [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Chemical and sensory effects of intrinsic variations of berry size
Drs. Federico Casassa and Jean Dodson Peterson summarize their latest work on the effects of berry size on wine chemistry & [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Developing a methodology to generate transgene-free edited grapevine
Dr. Laurent Deluc summarizes his latest work to develop a GPM-resistant grapevine that is [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Botrytis bunch rot: Who, where, when, and what to use
Dr. Walt Mahaffee summarizes his latest research into how and where Botrytis bunch rot disease epidemics start and [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Determining optimal irrigation initiation time
Dr. Alec Levin summarizes his latest research into the optimal timing to initiate [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Characterizing Willamette Valley Soil Moisture and Grapevine Response under Drying Seasonal Conditions
Dr. Patty Skinkis summarizes progress in her research into the effects of soil moisture [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Rootstock effects on mature Pinot noir growth
Dr. Patty Skinkis summarizes her research on rootstock effects on mature Pinot noir growth and productivity under cool climate, dry-farmed [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Utilizing malolactic fermentation as a tool to prevent Brettanomyces bruxellensis wine spoilage
Dr. James Osborne summarizes his latest research into interactions between B. bruxellensis and O. oeni to reduce the risk of wine [...]
2020-21 OWB Funded Research
Grapevine trunk diseases in Oregon vineyards
Dr. Achala KC summarizes her research on epidemiology and management of grapevine trunk diseases in Oregon [...]
2020-2021 OWB Funded Research Projects
Project summaries for scientific research funded by OWB in [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Identification and Assessment of Smoke Odorants in Grapes and Wine
Dr. Michael Qian summarizes his latest research to investigate the complex conversion mechanisms of smoke compounds and develop a quantitative measurement to ensure grape and wine [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Characterizing Willamette Valley Soil Moisture and Grapevine Response under Drying Seasonal Conditions
Dr. Patty Skinkis summarizes her latest research to characterize soil moisture conditions [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Persistence of Fungicide Resistance in Grape Powdery Mildew
Dr. Walt Mahaffee summarizes his latest research into the mitigation of fungicide [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Determining the role of the protein ARF4 in the timing of grape ripening
Dr. Laurent Deluc summarizes his latest research into the relationship between ARF-4 and ripening [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Grapevine Trunk Diseases in Oregon Vineyards
Dr. Achala KC summarizes her latest research to identify fungal pathogens associated with GTD in Oregon as well as climatic and cultural [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Improved understanding of virus transmission and management of key vector(s) associated with Grapevine red blotch virus
Dr. Vaughn Walton summarizes the latest developments in his research into vectors of [...]
2019-20 OWB Funded Research
Utilizing malolactic fermentation as a tool to prevent Brettanomyces bruxellensis wine spoilage
Dr. James Osborne summarizes his latest research into interactions between B. bruxellensis and O. oeni to reduce the risk of wine [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Examining the impacts of environmental variations and farming practices on wine grape microbiomes
Dr. Jeremy Weisz summarizes his latest research into how the microbiome of wine grapes is influenced by geography and viticulture [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Determining the role of Auxin-Response Factor 4 in the timing of ripening initiation in Vitis vinifera
Dr. Laurent Deluc summarizes his latest research into the relationship between ARF-4 and [...]
2019-2020 OWB Funded Research Projects
Project summaries for scientific research funded by OWB in [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Utilizing malolactic fermentation as a tool to prevent Brettanomyces bruxellensis wine spoilage
Dr. James Osborne summarizes his latest research into interactions between B. bruxellensis and O. oeni to reduce the risk of wine [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Mitigating Negative Effects of Grapevine Red Blotch Disease through Cultural Practices
Dr. Alec Levin summarizes his latest research into viticultural practices to mitigate grapevine red blotch [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Persistence of Fungicide Resistance in Grape Powdery Mildew
Dr. Walt Mahaffee summarizes his latest research into the mitigation of fungicide [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Nitrogen Management in the Vineyard and in the Winery
Dr. Paul Schreiner summarizes his latest research on options for nitrogen application and their impact on grape and wine [...]
2018-19 OWB Funded Research
Elucidating Brettanomyces Paths of Entry into the Cellar
Dr. Chris Curtin summarizes his latest research into how Brettanomyces yeasts make their way into the [...]
