UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology
On the Road in Paso Robles
February 25, 2026, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles, CA
Register to attend
8:30 AM Registration, Coffee & Pastries
9:00 AM Welcome and Introduction
Karen L. Block, Director of Industry Relations, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
9:10 AM Department Update
Ben Montpetit, Chair and Professor Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
9:25 AM The threecornered alfalfa hopper: a vector of grapevine red blotch virus
Cindy Kron, North Coast IPM Advisor, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino Counties, UC Cooperative Extension
9:55 AM Monitoring and budgeting mineral nutrients for grapevines
Matthew Fidelibus, Cooperative Extension Specialist, Viticulture, Department of Viticulture & Enology,
UC Davis
10:25 AM Adapting powdery mildew management programs to seasonal variability
Larry Bettiga Viticulture Farm Advisor, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, UC Cooperative Extension
10:55 AM BREAK
11:05 AM On the development of new rootstocks with resistance to salinity and nematodes
Luis Diaz Garcia, Assistant Professor, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
11:35 AM Effective winery cleaning and sanitizing with limited resources: Is it possible to reduce water, energy, chemicals, or labor and still maintain product quality? ,David Block, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Viticulture & Enology & Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
12:05 PM Outcomes from the use of redox control in fermentation management, Ben Montpetit
12:35 PM Q&A, Wrap-up, Lunch & Discussion