grapes

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human and Resource Sciences

WAPATO, Wash. – Something in the soil was destroying Andrew Schultz’ grapevines.

By Linda Weiford, WSU News

PROSSER, Wash. – Washington’s wine industry let out a collective sigh of relief this week as a stiff shot of cold weather gave way to much milder temperatures – just in time for the winter solstice.

STANWOOD Wash. – Grape pest and disease management for growers in western Washington will be discussed in a hands-on workshop on Saturday, March 19, at the Stillaguamish Grange, 6521 Pioneer Hwy., Stanwood.

Gena McKahan presents her research about
granola bars made with grape-seed flour.

PULLMAN, Wash. – The remains of pressed wine grapes typically return to fields as fertilizer, but scientists are finding ways to recycle the edible remains into healthy foods.

For example, Gena McKahan’s merlot grape-seed flour granola bar is gluten free and shows an increase in antioxidant content as the amount of grape-seed flour is increased. Antioxidants found in grapes have been shown to help prevent some cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

A food science undergraduate at Washington State University, McKahan was curious … » More …

The ninth annual “Celebrate Washington Wine” gala dinner and auction to benefit the WSU Viticulture and Enology Program is set to occur on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010.

To date, the annual black-tie event has netted more than $1 million to help build the WSU program that provides scientific research to support the growing wine industry in Washington and educates the next generation of winemakers and grape growers.

The event is held at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, and is known for the intimate setting and the unique and diverse selection of items, adventures and experiences offered in both silent and live auctions.

Popular … » More …

PROSSER – In the not too distant future, grape growers may be able to detect virus-infected grapevines in the field using a portable sensor that evaluates changes in the light reflecting properties of leaves. The sensor will speed detection and save money now spent in random testing to find infected vines.

Grapes are susceptible to numerous diseases. One of the most baffling is grapevine leafroll, a complex malady associated with about nine viruses. It can delay ripening, reduce yields by 50 percent or more and harm fruit quality. Once infected, vines cannot be treated. The disease can be eradicated only by pulling and replacing … » More …

PULLMAN – Robert G. Stevens, who serves as director of WSU’s Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, received an Industry service Award from the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers at the organization’s award luncheon Friday in Kennewick.

“Bob not only contributed to the success of grape and wine growers through his work as a soil scientist but also in his recent role as interim center director at Prosser,” said Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the association.

“He is truly one of our unsung heroes doing work required but largely unnoticed,” she said. “We just wanted … » More …

RICHLAND — Wine tasting basics, the U.C. Davis Aroma Wheel, and the concept of terroir are the topics of three consumer education wine seminars being offered this spring at WSU Tri-Cities.

Each of the two-hour sessions will be held the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC), upstairs in Room 216, at 2770 University Drive, Richland. Register and pay online at www.tricity.wsu.edu/wine.

• Getting To Know Wine, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27
This unpretentious and down-to-earth session is designed for the beginner. A guided tasting of six wines will … » More …

Washington farmers already grow some of the finest wine grapes in the world. Could they also grow some of the finest raisins? That is not out of the realm of possibility, according to Carter Clary, an assistant professor in the Washington State University department of horticulture and landscape architecture. Clary is a leading expert on dried fruits and vegetables who works primarily on improving the drying and processing of potatoes, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. He recently was honored by the International Organization of Vine and Wine for a book he co-edited with Vincent Petrucci, professor emeritus of viticulture, while he worked at California State University-Fresno. … » More …