April 12th – The latest wine industry research was highlighted during a Poster Session held during the Washington Winegrowers Association’s virtual convention – WineVit™ – held throughout March. Nearly 400 state, national, and international participants from the grape and wine industry attended.
The Poster Session is a platform for students, educators, and researchers to present cutting-edge research with grape and wine industry stakeholders. Posters showcase information on a wide variety of topics and trends. Matt Halldorson, viticulturist at Kiona Vineyards & Winery, Poster Session chair said: “The Poster Session was a great success thanks to a talented group of researchers; and our industry’s commitment to the work they do.”
Five industry-based judges evaluated posters for logical flow, ease of reading, industry relevance and aesthetics. Judging took place prior to WineVit™ and during the virtual convention in three categories: Graduate, Undergraduate and Professional. Graduate students presented their research findings in live Zoom webinars.
Graduate Student Oral Presentation
- First Place: Arun Mitra on Molecular Biology of Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses
Graduate Student Poster
- First Place: Bernadette Gagnier on Alternative Strategies for Nematode Management
- Second Place: Arun Mitra on Molecular Biology of Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses
- Third Place: Geraldine Diverres on Tailoring smart irrigation strategies for white wine
Professional Poster
- First Place: Michelle Moyer on Rootstocks for Vineyard Nematode Management
- Second Place: Lynn Mills on The WSU Cold Hardiness Program
- Third Place: Noma Chingandu on Safeguarding registered nurseries from systemic pathogens to maintain ‘clean’ planting stock
Judges included:
Leah Adint, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Rick Hamman, Viticulture Consultant; Jeff Sample, Bleyhl Co-op Agronomy Center; Holly Wells, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; and Kevin Martin, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
All submitted research posters can be viewed online: www.winevit.org/poster-session.
