The Department of Viticulture and Enology is housed in the Robert Mondavi Institute complex of buildings. Viticulture and Enology facilities in this complex include state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, including world-class facilities for research and instruction in sensory science. Additionally, the LEED Platinum Certified Teaching and Research Winery, used for both student training in winemaking and research, is the most advanced and the most sustainable winery in the world, serving as a model for academic institutions and commercial wineries across the globe. Students also receive hands-on training in departmental vineyards, including the Davis-based RMI and Tyree Vineyards, as well our Oakville Station vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley and at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier, central to large-scale wine, table, and raisin grape production.
ROBERT MONDAVI INSTITUTE NORTH, SOUTH & SENSORY LAB
Through the vision and generosity of the late Robert Mondavi, a pioneer in the California wine industry, the Department of Viticulture and Enology and the Department of Food Science and Technology were able to create the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science (RMI). The institute that houses the two departments, also enabled by substantial contributions from the state and campus, is a state-of-the-art research and teaching complex made up of the three academic buildings, our Teaching and Research Winery, the Sensory Building and the Jess Jackson Sustainable Winery Building.
The two departments moved into the first stage of the complex, the three academic buildings, in 2008. The academic buildings together encompass approximately 131,000 gross square feet, including 75,000 square feet for classrooms, laboratories, offices and meeting rooms. The RMI North building houses research and teaching laboratories for the Department of Viticulture and Enology, along with the administrative offices of both departments. The RMI South building houses the teaching and research laboratories for the Department of Food Science and Technology and conference space for both departments. The final building is the RMI Sensory building that houses sensory science and consumer science laboratories for both departments, as well as the showcase Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater for laboratory instruction in sensory science for both departments. The three academic buildings form a natural courtyard that includes the Good Life Garden, filled with seasonally changing edible plantings and a grove of mature olive trees, transplanted from other parts of campus. It is truly a unique and special environment for the study of wine and food science.
The Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science is located just off Interstate 80 between Sacramento and San Francisco at the front door of the UC Davis campus, and is adjacent to the RMI vineyard.