Event Date
On The Road programs are educational seminars that help us to communicate with the California grape and wine industries by bringing faculty to different regions of California. We present relevant topics or current research and, at the same time, listen to the issues that are important to grape-growing and winemaking professionals.
DATE AND TIME
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
LOCATION
Firestone Vineyard, 5017 Zaca Station Road, Los Olivos, California, 93441
COST
$70/person (includes a light breakfast and lunch)
CONTINUING EDUCATION
This event may qualify for 1 CA-DPR hour and 1 Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) hour (application not yet approved).
AGENDA & REGISTRATION
9:00 AM
Registration, Coffee & Pastries
9:30 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Karen Block, Director of Industry Relations, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
9:40 AM
Glassy-winged sharpshooter 101
Cindy Kron, North Coast IPM Advisor, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino Counties, UC Cooperative Extension
10:10 AM
Grapevine trunk diseases: Field diagnosis and practical management
Akif Eskalen, Professor of Cooperative Extension, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis
*Akif Eskalen’s grapevine trunk disease project was funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The contents may not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California.*
10:40 AM
NoLo wine production: Current technology and critical gaps in knowledge
David Block, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Viticulture & Enology & Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
11:05 AM
BREAK
11:15 AM
Rooted in Quality: An Enology Research and Extension Vision
Arran Rumbaugh, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in Enology, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
11:40 AM
Using plant material and training techniques to promote early vine development of wine grape vineyards
Larry Bettiga, Viticulture Farm Advisor, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, UC Cooperative Extension
12:10 PM
California Agave: A drought-tolerant specialty crop
Ron Runnebaum, Associate Professor, Departments of Viticulture & Enology and Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
12:35 PM
The not-so-distant future of AI and Grape Production
Mason Earles, Associate Professor, Departments of Viticulture & Enology & Biological & Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis
1:00 PM
Q&A, Wrap-up, Lunch & Discussion
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
- If you can no longer attend, you may substitute your registration for another attendee at any time
- If you need to cancel your registration, you may do so for any reason before December 2nd for a 75% refund less the registration system's processing fees, which are non-refundable.
- No refunds will be made after December 2nd.
- If you need to cancel please email [email protected].
The Department of Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis welcomes all participants. This event is open to everyone.