Record participation in Annual Grape Extension Field Day!

The Horticultural Research Center (HRC) was busy on September 9, 2023, with dozens of visitors arriving for the Annual Grape Extension Field Day! The event was hosted as an open house, gathering 15 professors, graduate students, and research staff together to educate the public about recent advancements in grape research at the U. Visitors included homeowners, grape growers, and local wine enthusiasts who learned about everything from the chemistry of smoke contamination to consumer preference for new types of table grapes. 

Over 50 varieties of grapes were also available for tasting. This tradition has become a beloved part of the annual field day, and provides consumers with a rare opportunity: time to taste and  compare dozens of varieties that may or may not yet be widely available at nurseries and grocery stores. Highlights this year included unreleased cultivars with flavors reminiscent of lychee, blueberries, and even pineapple!

Keep scrolling to see the grape team in action:

Graduate student Douglas Vines discussing grape cultivars with an interested family of visitors.

Drew Horton, HRC Enology Specialist, has been assessing whether the UMN release ‘Itasca’ is well suited to orange wine production, which involves extended stem and skin contact during fermentation. 

Vineyard manager Jennifer Thull talked through grape cultivation best practices with growers.

Erin Treiber, far right, is our resident expert in table grapes, and shared her knowledge with UMN Applied Plant Sciences graduate student, Alina Smolskaya.

Adrian Hegeman (far left), professor of plant biochemistry in the Dept. of Horticultural Science, catches up with Steven Prince (center) and emeritus professor Gary Gardner (far right).