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GRAPEGROWING horses to those that fit a boutique winery. "He has broadened this whole palette. Now we're going to have so many deeper flavors and different flavors." Wolpert is also known for his work at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in California's Central Valley, where he studied alternative varieties from warm-weather regions. In work now being overseen by associate viticulture specialist Matthew Fidelibus, 55 grape varieties from warm regions in Europe are being evaluated for use in the hot Central Valley. Wolpert and McGourty organized a symposium on alternative varieties for last year's ASEV conference in Portland, Ore. Bridging the private public gap When Wolpert became department chair at Davis in 1996, the school had a ramshackle teaching winery with secondrate equipment. Because conditions were so poor, the school's faculty didn't want to waste quality grapes by making wine with them. Students instead used "junk grapes," as Wolpert called them in a news article from the time, to make wine that ultimately went down the drain. The wine quality was suspect, and the school had no bond under which to sell the wine, something rival California State University, Fresno, had and still has. Using his skill as a communicator and industry connections, Wolpert put a personable face on the UC Davis program and helped convince donors to contribute to the school's capital campaign. Today, the campus is home to a cutting-edge and bonded learning winery that has better equipment than many commercial operations in California. A major chunk of the funding came from Robert Mondavi, who donated $25 million toward the wine program. "Robert Mondavi is the greatest thing since sliced bread," Wolpert told the Wine Spectator at the time. "Not only is he generous but he's a nice guy." Despite his success as department chair, Wolpert announced he would be leaving the role in 2003 to return to research, saying, "I thought I smelled smoke when I realized it was the burning of bridges to my research projects." He was soon back in the job at the request of the university, however, to "pitch a few more innings" and help finish the fundraising efforts before leaving in 2006. Mark Greenspan, the founder of Advanced Viticulture Inc., serves on the ASEV board of directors. He said Wolpert helped motivate him to pursue a career in wine. Greenspan grew to know Wolpert more while working in the same lab as Anderson. The two stayed in contact professionally after Greenspan left UC Davis and Wolpert became department chair. Greenspan said he was impressed by how Wolpert was able to connect the university with the industry. "In a way, growers are a pretty tough bunch to please. They're very skeptical of the effectiveness of the university," he said. Greenspan thought Wolpert was most successful in demonstrating to the industry that UC Davis was making the investment to improve its facilities through securing significant donations. McGourty said Wolpert proved to be an excellent representative for California's wine industry. He also said Wolpert earned the respect of his colleagues in Europe for his knowledge and engaging personality. "He truly was a great ambassador for us when he'd go to international meetings or host international guests," he said. "People were always glad to see him." GrapeParts4Less.com Paying Too Much For Picking Rods? Now You Have A Low Cost Source! GrapeParts4Less.com supplies quality American made picking rods, closures, and parts for all major grape harvester brands. Call 559-277-7382 or visit our website. Mastercard or VISA accepted. Se habla Espaňol. GrapeParts4Less.com Your Low Cost Source For Quality Harvester Parts 50 W in es & V i ne s J U NE 2 013 GP4L_W&V_April_2012.indd 1 2/27/12 11:59 AM COGNAC TERROIR