Grapes for the 22nd Century: Grapevine Improvement Workshop

In the last 15 years, since the Pinot Noir gene was fully characterized in 2007, geneticists’ understanding of the grapevine genome has greatly improved. The grapevine pan-genome has been sequenced, phenotyping technology has been developed and commercialized, disease-resistant hybrid varieties have become more common, and advancements in sensors, AI and machine learning, and robotics are accelerating the process of classical breeding. Innovations in gene editing and advances in our understanding of the linkages between genes and their function are enabling scientists to leverage biotechnology and modern breeding techniques to address industry issues. But what does this mean—if anything—for grape growers? What does grape genetics have to do with you and your vineyard–right now, TODAY? Ultimately, everything.

Join us for a full day of interactive talks by leading lights of the international grapevine improvement community, including keynoter Plant Geneticist Edward Buckler, USDA-ARS and Cornell University, the recipient of the National Academy of Science’s first ever Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences for pioneering the use of large scale genomic approaches to associate genes with crop traits. Hear about phenotyping robots in New York, GE chardonnay in Italy, Green Revolution varieties in Germany, and drought-tolerant rootstocks in California, and more.

Talks will be presented in four discursive sessions with plenty of time for Q&A and thoughtful breaks, and facetime with speakers at a post-event reception.