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 Vince Petrucci, professor emeritus of viticulture at
California State University, Fresno, was honored by the San Joaquin
Valley Winegrowers Association for lifetime service to the wine grape
industry in the California’s Central Valley.
Petrucci, who taught at Fresno State from 1948 until 1993, helped
establish the viticulture and enology academic program and the
Viticulture and Enology Research Center (VERC). Since retiring, Petrucci
has published numerous papers and books detailing wine and grape
growing.
The association also honored Bob McInturf, a founder and 31-year
president of Allied Grape Growers, and Mike Nury, a chemist whose
efforts to concentrate grape flavors have helped table grape, wine and
specialty products’ industries.
Fresno State has served viticulture and enology students since 1948
through several programs before the Department of Viticulture and
Enology was established in 2000. It was the first California State
University campus to combine research and academic offerings in both
disciplines, and the first university in the nation with a winery bonded
to market student-produced wines commercially.
Program graduates fill leading grape and wine industry positions
worldwide.
The Vincent E. Petrucci Library in VERC recognizes contributions of the
former professor who founded the center in 1985. It also serves students
enrolled in the viticulture and enology programs as well as the public,
faculty, staff and industry.
In 1994, the CSU conferred an honorary doctorate of science on Petrucci.
"Vince Petrucci is truly an icon of modern viticulture in California and
beyond,” said Dr. James Prince, interim department chair for viticulture
and enology. “Thousands of people in the field have been touched by
Vince and his efforts."
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