Based on industry demand, non-profit Research Oenovation Collective (ROC) coordinates inter-winery research trials for the greater good of the industry.
Napa, CA, May 7, 2019 – The ROC is a non-profit group that puts the power of unbiased applied research in the hands of vintners and winemakers. From market forces to climate change, ROC provides true scientific method, a diversified communications platform and in-person forums for tasting and idea exchange. This collective allows winery stakeholders to voice real-world technical needs, pool resources for experimentation and move forward together as a community. How does ROC applied research help wineries?
Scenario #1: You are the winemaker for a high-end Bordeaux-style house. Your winery’s DTC director said that they would like to consider another wine label to bring some diversity to their wine club shipments to keep their loyal and growing clientele engaged. “A light and fruity red to ship during the Summer that will pair with barbeque and will not cannibalize the Estate Cab sales would be ideal”. You have some excess Cabernet Franc grapes to use for this new program, but before it’s ready to upgrade to stand-alone wine status versus its current role as a blender you decide to run a few experiments. To make the cut, it needs to be a slightly riper style with a little more mid-palate weight. You don’t have the time to design the experiment nor the tank space or resources to replicate the trial, but ROC does. ROC speaks wine business.
Scenario #2: Your vineyard is in a warm growing region. Your popular and edgy brand, Ripe and Rude, Zinfandel needs the added hang-time to achieve the big, jammy aromatic profile that you seek. While green, stemmy notes from picking early are the antithesis of this late-pick style, the risk of sulfides and microbial funk that lurks on the other side of the ripening spectrum are huge due to the super low nitrogen and acidity levels at harvest. You would like to solve this problem but don’t know where to start. ROC does. ROC speaks the language of wine growers and winemakers.
Get involved:
- Kick the tires – Attend the I+Q Winemaker’s Salon on May 22nd at Napa’s Silverado Resort at 4:15 pm to learn more about how applied research can help your business. (Promo Code: ROC19)
- Join the movement – Commit to a trial by attend our meeting on June 6th at the Shone Farm Ag Pavilion at 5:00 pm to put your project in motion with our community of winemakers.
- Support the movement – Sponsor the ROC platform by contacting us directly.
- More questions? – Contact Bryan Avila, Director of Member Services at bryan@avila.wine.
The Research Oenovation Collective, the ROC, is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation registered with the State of California which administers an applied research platform for the wine industry and operates throughout winegrowing regions across North America. ROC regional chapters are developing in California (Paso-SLO, Sonoma, Napa, Lodi and Foothills regions), Oregon, Virginia and Washington. Expansion and a workforce development component are planned throughout 2019 and 2020. For information about your specific region or to inquire about any membership or sponsorship opportunities please contact the ROC by visiting our website at www.rocwine.org, email us at info@rocwine.org or call (707) 799-9463 (WINE). Peter Salamone can be reached directly at psalamone@rocwine.org .
