One Viticulture and Enology department faculty member is currently located at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, the University of California's largest and most heavily utilized off-campus agricultural research facility. The center is located 15 miles southeast of Fresno in the central San Joaquin Valley, and routinely houses more than 125 employees, including a multi-disciplinary team of faculty from UC Davis, UC Riverside and UC Berkeley. Resident faculty conduct basic and applied lab and field research, particularly on permanent crops including tree fruits, nuts, and grapes.
The center’s 330 acres of research facilities encompass a state-of-the-art greenhouse, a postharvest laboratory, a purpose built sensory evaluation laboratory, a mosquito control laboratory, multiple insectaries, drying equipment, cold storage, two weighing lysimeters, a CIMIS weather station, and academic and administrative offices. Other available resources include a 240-seat conference facility as well as meeting rooms. Office and laboratory space is available on an as-needed basis for temporary and visiting scientists. A dormitory with overnight space for twelve occupants is available. Presently there are 25 acres of grapes, including raisin, table, and wine varieties.