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G r AP e G ro W in G a Croatian black grape called Crljenak Kasteljanski is identical to Zinfandel, whose origins had long stumped grape research- ers. We've had a good relationship over the years with these scientists and exchanged Croatian and California clones of Zinfan- del. In 2010, at the request of Dave Gates of Ridge Vineyards, Edi and Ivan sent us 16 of the varieties they thought would be the most valuable to California growers. This includes grapes with names like Babica, Glavinusa, Malvasia Dubrovacka, Zlahtina, Sansigot and Vugava. We hope there are some sleeping beauties in the group. "Using field selections can result in severely diseased vines and even the death of vines." —Deborah Golino, Foundation Plant Services director I think many of your readers know that Dr. Harold Olmo of the Viticulture and Enology Department here at Davis was a great plant explorer in addition to being a great plant breeder. He traveled in many countries—extensively in Europe but also in the Mideast, Afghanistan, Australia, South America—the list is exhaustive. He sent new grape varieties and clones back to Davis, even after his retirement in 1977. He stayed actively involved in research until shortly before his death in 2006. He often lectured me on the importance of maintaining the quarantine program at Davis and ensuring that new grape varieties continued to flow into Da- vis. We like to call him the Indiana Jones of grape geneticists. I have made myself a promise to bring as many new grapes to California as Harold in my career, but I intend to do most of it by FedEx. W&V: Are there particular countries whose grape varieties or clones are getting a lot of interest from California wineries? Golino: In general, I would say warm- climate Mediterranean winegrapes are creating the most excitement. (Read the fourth installment of Glenn McGourty's series about Mediterranean varieties on page 75.) There is a lot of interest in find- ing new varieties that can produce high- quality wines in some of the warmer areas of California. In particular, our new im- ports from Portugal, Spain and Italy have gotten a lot of attention. We're looking for contacts in Greece, as well, who might be willing to trade some of our winegrape varieties for some of theirs. W&V: What new varieties or clones are likely to become available for planting during the next few years? Golino: In addition to new releases from the collections that I mentioned before, we have a couple of initiatives of interest. We've had industry experts looking at the grape selections in the USDA Clonal Repository Collection at UC Davis. There are many interesting varieties there that have come to us for virus screening and therapy that will be available in the years to come. The warm-climate Mediterra- nean wine grapes such as Nero d'Avola and Coda di Volpe from Italy, Moreto from Portugal and Aspro from Cyprus have been the focus of this effort. There is a very nice collection of Bor- JMS2010W&VinesFINAL.pdf 4/5/10 4:55:02 PM deaux varietals at FPS that was donated by an anonymous and well-respected producer near Bordeaux. We call that the Vincent Collection in honor of his vineyard manager and the patron saint of winemak- ers. The first selections in that collection JMS Stylet-Oil® - The • Powdery Mildew? • Mites? Choice For Powdery Mildew and Mite control, grape growers have a choice: JMS Stylet-Oil C M Y CM MY CY CMY K JMS offers grape growers an effective alternative to early-season sulfur treatment. JMS Stylet-Oil outperforms sulfur as an eradicant on mildew and eliminates early season inoculum growth that can cause late-season epidemics. Apply this clean white oil early for mite control throughout the season. Unlike sulfur, JMS Stylet-Oil works well in cool weather, protects around the clock, and harmlessly degrades without potential air pollution. JMS Stylet-Oil is now available in its conventional formulation or an organic formulation that is OMRI listed for use in an organic program. Contact JMS for complete information and product data. Headquarters 4423 5th Place SW Vero Beach, FL 32968 Office: (772) 562-8770 Fax: (772) 562-7202 styletoil@aol.com www.stylet-oil.com Pacific Northwest Region 73585 Williams Lane Pendleton, OR 97801 Office: (541) 276-8566 Fax: (541) 276-6245 styletoil@eoni.com Wines & Vines FeBRUARY 2011 45