Oregon Wine Research Institute

Oregon's vineyard acreage and production has grown by 67% since 2000, all of which are in winegrape production. The growth has occurred in four diverse growing regions throughout the state: Willamette Valley, southern Oregon, Columbia Gorge and eastern Oregon's Walla Walla Valley. This increase in acreage has been due to the state's reputation for fine wine production and increasing demand for high quality grapes and wines. Oregon State University research and extension faculty have contributed to the growth in winegrape acreage by conducting critical research that keeps winegrape producers and wineries competitive in the local, regional, national and world wine market. Over the years, research goals have changed, but the focus on helping the industry achieve high quality production has not changed.

The Oregon Wine Research Institute's Viticulture Research Program is a collaborative effort involving faculty in multiple departments at OSU (Horticulture, Crop and Soil Science, Botany and Plant Pathology, Food Science and Technology, and Agriculture Economics) and USDA-ARS researchers. More information about OSU's own research vineyard, Woodhall can be found here. The program focuses on both applied and functional components of viticulture and grape research.  Research is conducted to understand vine physiology, grape metabolomics/genomics, vineyard management practices and vineyard ecosystems and to address fruit and wine quality, disease and pest incidence, and sustainability of farming systems.

Click on the links below to find out more about current and recent research areas:

Grapevine Nutrition

Vineyard Production Science

Development of Improved Grape Production and Utilization Practices in the Pacific Northwest
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Vineyard Management Practices and the Quality of Grapes and Grape Products in the Pacific Northwest
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Final Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2004-2005 funding. Title: Water and nutrient Competition with Cover Crops in Willamette Valley Vineyards (pdf)

Impacts of Early Season Fruit Zone Leaf Removal on Disease Control, Fruit Set, Vine Growth and Grape Quality of Pinot Noir by Patricia A. Skinkis & Walter F. Mahaffee (pdf)

Modifying Pinot Noir Vine Vigor and Fruit Quality with Grass Cover Management by Patty Skinkis (pdf)

Cover Crop Management in Young Vineyards (video)

Vine Physiology

Proceedings Progress Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2006. Title: Identifying Optimal Nutrient Concentrations for Premium Winegrape Production Based on Physiological Needs and Fruit Quality (pdf)

Proceedings Progress Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2006. Title: Evaluation of nematode resistant grape rootstock for managing Mesocriconema xenoplax (pdf)

Impacts of Early Season Fruit Zone Leaf Removal on Disease Control, Fruit Set, Vine Growth and Grape Quality of Pinot Noir by Patricia A. Skinkis & Walter F. Mahaffee (pdf)

Modifying Pinot Noir Vine Vigor and Fruit Quality with Grass Cover Management by Patty Skinkis (pdf)

Cover Crop Management in Young Vineyards (video)

 

Soil Science and Irrigation

Essential Nematode Data to Enable Decision-Making by Pacific Northwest Grape Growers
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Proceedings Progress Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2006. Title: Identifying optimal nutrient concentrations for premium winegrape production based on physiological needs and fruit quality (pdf)

Final Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2004-2005 funding. Title: Water and nutrient competition with cover crops in Willamette Valley vineyards (pdf)

Modifying Pinot Noir Vine Vigor and Fruit Quality with Grass Cover Management by Patty Skinkis (pdf)

Cover Crop Management in Young Vineyards (video)

Plant Protection

Sensitivity of disease management decision aids to temperature input errors associated with sampling interval and out-of-canopy sensor placement

An Invasive Pest and an Emerging Disease: A Dangerous Mix for West Coast Vineyards
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Automated Mesoscale Pest Risk Forecast Maps for Agricultural Production and Potential Plant Biosecurity Threats
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Genetic Diversity among Grapevine Viruses in the Pacific Northwest Region
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Integration of Mite Biological Control using Timed Miticide Applications and Organic Input Fungus Programs
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Exotic, Emerging, Re-Emerging and Invasive Plant Diseases of Horticultural Crops
USDA Agricultural Research Service Research Project

Proceedings Progress Report Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research 2006. Title: Evaluation of nematode resistant grape rootstock for managing Mesocriconema xenoplax (pdf)

Determining the impact of six pesticides on the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri by Angela Gadino, Vaughn Walton, and Amy Dreves (pdf)

USDA Agricultural Research Service: Foliar Pathology Research Goals (pdf)

Short Shoot Syndrome (SSS) and Rust Mite News for Grape Growers in Oregon (pdf)

Impacts of Early Season Fruit Zone Leaf Removal on Disease Control, Fruit Set, Vine Growth and Grape Quality of Pinot Noir by Patricia A. Skinkis & Walter F. Mahaffee (pdf)