Could this grape help California winemakers adapt to climate change?
On Jan. 26, UC Davis will host the first conference on hybrid wine grapes and their potential environmental and economic benefits to California’s wine industry.
Most wine is made with the European grape species Vitis vinifera, which has little resistance to pests, fungal diseases, extreme temperatures and drought.
RELATED: Former Sonoma County winemaker saves historic East Bay vineyard from destruction
Cross Vitis vinifera with a North American native species (like Vitis californica) and you get hybrid grapes, which are predisposed to withstand most pests, diseases and little water.
Keynote speakers include Matt Niess of North American Press, who trials hybrid grape varieties at his experimental vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. Other key speakers include Christopher Renfro, who grows hybrid grapes in San Francisco, Erin Rasmussen of the American Wine Project and Nathan Held, founder of the Heritage Grape Project.
Tickets are $25 for students and $95 for non-students, with additional pricing available on a sliding scale. For tickets and information, visit embracinghybridgrapes.com.
UC Davis Conference Center: 550 Alumni Lane, Davis.