ARS scientists are engaged in grape and grape products research at many locationsthrough the United States.  This follows a tradition of research within the USDA since at least 1867— the year the USDA first reported variety observations for juice,wine, and table grapes.  

In recent years, ARS has collaborated with the grape industry more closely in prioritizing needs and coordinating responses to the problems facing growers and producers of grape products.    

As a result of this partnership, ARS has sponsored a series of workshops [July 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri; July 2007 in Kennewick, Washington; and October 2010 in Charlottesville, Virginia] to share ARS research results and progress of grape-related projects, and to provide a forum for the grape industry to identify and prioritize knowledge and technological gaps amenable to scientific research.  These meetings offered important opportunities to network, develop research teams where appropriate, obtain feedback from customers and stakeholders, and initiate plans for future research.

The links below will take you to posters, presentations, and other documents that were used to inform the participants at each of the meetings listed above:

ARS Grape Research Workshop, October 2010, Charlottesville, Virginia

In addtion, ARS scientists have also briefed industry representatives on ARS research at board meetings of the National Grape & Wine Initiative.  Here are links to those briefings:

October 2010:  Developing Sustainable Vineyard Water Management Strategies for Limited and Impaired Water Supplies—James Ayars and Andrew McElrone

NGWI and USDA/ARS Meeting, April 2012, Beltsville, Maryland