Jamal Rayyis, an internationally-noted writer and wine critic, will keynote Fresno State’s Grape Day with an educational wine sampling and presentation Tuesday, Aug. 5.
The biennial event from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. begins at the Viticulture and Enology Research Center (2360 E. Barstow Ave.) and moves to the Satellite Student Union (2485 E. San Ramon Ave.).
The program for grape growers, managers, pest control advisors, wine makers and winery personnel will feature field, lab and winery tours and classroom and poster presentations by faculty, staff and research assistants.
It is hosted by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology’s Department of Viticulture and Enology.
Rayyis, who authored several editions of Food Wine Magazine’s Wine Guide from 2002 to 2008, will discuss “How, Now and What Might Be: A Vision of Central Valley Wine — Past, Present and Future.”
Attendees will sample four wines using professional wine industry standards:
- Manouches from Zelige-Caravent (produced by a winery in France)
- Barbera wine from Fresno State
- Ruby Cabernet from Cardella Winery
- Alicante Bouschet from Papagni Wines
“My presentation looks at the history, examines present trends and gives some thoughts about the future of Central Valley viticulture, with an eye to possible parallels in other regions of the world,” Rayyis said.
Grape Day begins at the lawn/gazebo area of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center followed by a vineyard tour that includes a look at new raisin and table and wine grape plots announced last year.
Other tours will include the V.E. Petrucci Library and the Fresno State Winery.
Fresno State viticulture and enology faculty and their teams will present research and discuss issues that affect the grape and wine industry. (See topics)
Matthew Fidelibus, extension specialist at the University of California’s Kearney Ag Center, will discuss updates on raisin research.
The event is co-sponsored by American Vineyard Magazine, Cardella Winery, Papagni Wines, Reliable Business Technology, San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers and Sun-Maid Growers of California.
Advance registration is $30 at http://conta.cc/U6Q6Oe. It includes lunch sponsored by the American Vineyard Magazine and a parking permit code.
For more information, contact Cynthia Wood at 559.278.2089 or cynthiaw@csufresno.edu.
(University Communications news assistants Akyia Westley contributed to this report.)
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