Welcome
 The Department of Viticulture & Enology has a long and distinguished history. From our earliest origins to the present day we have had many landmark events. To view the highlights please select a year from the list.
1880
 The California Legislature creates the Department of Viticulture & Enology within the University of California system. The Department opens its doors at Berkeley a few years later.
1906
 The University Farm, soon to be UC Davis, is established to provide field and lab research space for the College of Agriculture, today's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
1919
 Prohibition becomes law and wine teaching, research and public outreach is brought to a standstill.
1933
 Prohibition is repealed and the Department redoubles its efforts to assist California's wine industry as it struggles to recover from neglect.
1939
 The Enology Building is constructed, providing teaching and research space as well as a wine cellar and student laboratory.
1944
 Drs. Amerine and Winkler publish their landmark "Composition and Quality of Musts and Wines of California Grapes"' ushering in a new era of winegrowing based on varietal selection, climate and geographical location.
1955
 The Department acquires 40 acres of prime vineyard land in Napa Valley and a new era of research in premium varietal winegrowing is begun.
1958
 Wickson Hall, the Department of Viticulture & Enology's current home, is constructed.
1976
 The landmark "Judgement in Paris" proves that California's wine can compete with the best wines in the world
1978
 The Ernest Gallo Educational Trust establishes the University's first Endowed Chair in honor of Dr. Maynard Amerine, providing financial support for a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding scientific and academic leadership.
1984
 The Pilot Winery is built, offering students and faculty alike a commercial-scale venue for both class work and research.
1984
 Dr. Ann Noble publishes the Wine Aroma Wheel, allowing wine researchers and consumers alike to better identify, define and discuss wine flavors and aromas.
1994
 Ground is broken for the Department's Harry E. Jacob Research Facility at the Oakville Experimental Vineyard site in Napa Valley.
1994
 The Department is honored by an Assembly Resolution of the California Legislature for its world-wide leadership and innovation in enology and viticulture.
1994
 The first bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Department's oakville Experimental Vineyards in Napa Valley is made at the Louis M. Martini Winery.
1996
 Dr. Meridith and her lab discover the parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon through DNA typing. Subsequently, the parentage of Chardonnay and other varieties have also been revealed by their research
1998
 The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation's contribution to the Department's students exceeds $1,000,000.
1999
 Robert S. Scott, founder of Scott Laboratories, Inc., creates the Department's second Endowed Chair in Enology in honor of his son, the late Stephen Sinclair Scott.
1999
 Carolyn Martini-Cox (President) and Mike Martini (Vice President) of Louis M. Martini Winery create the Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture in honor of their father.
2000
 The fourth Endowed Chair is established as the Marvin Sands Endowed Department Chair, to always be held by the active chairman of the Department of Viticulture & Enology.
2001
 Robert and Margrit Mondavi donate an unprecedented 25 million dollars to create new state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities to house the UC Davis Departments of Viticulture and Enology as well as Food Science and Technology.
2005
 The Department Celebrates it 125th anniversary, with a day-long celebration including a program of speakers, wine tasting, and gala dinner.
2005
 Thursday, June 23rd, 2005 marked the groundbreaking for The Robert Mondavi Institute. Dignitaries from throughout the state gathered to watch Robert and Margrit Mondavi turn the giant corkscrew as part of the ceremony.
2006
 ASEV honors Professor Doug Adams as Honorary Research Lecturer and Emerti Professor Ann Noble with the Merit Award for 2006.
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