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WINEMAKING served, an industry that used to get its research done free—on the government tab—might be reluctant to pay for it now. In the countries at the forefront of wine research, government involvement and funding play prominent roles. The Australian Wine Research Institute enjoys a dollar-for-dollar government match of money raised from the wine industry through self-assess- ment. The French government is heavily involved in wine research through a network of university programs as well as in contribu- tion to Europe-wide research projects on a number of advanced wine technologies. In the U.S., government help does materialize in times of crisis, as in the past decade of efforts to understand and control Pierce's disease, where some research money has become available. But in normal times, it's truly hard to imagine Washington or Sacra- mento getting on the wine research bandwagon. If the wine indus- try did somehow raise $10 million for research, the chances the government would match it are zilch. Unlike some ag sectors that profitably employ hordes of lobbyists in Washington, anything that involves alcohol is a non-starter in political circles—except at campaign fundraisers. Non-funding is part of the sin tax the wine industry pays. Several people I spoke to put a good deal of the blame for inade- quate research funding on the researchers, particularly university- based researchers, and most particularly UC Davis, the flagship wine research institution. The complaint is twofold: that Davis scientists (and like-minded university departments) are only in- terested in doing research they deem interesting, which is often far removed from what industry needs; and that Davis (and all University of California) research is extremely expensive, in part because of the 53% overhead cost built into every research bud- 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 68 WINES & VINES SEPTEMBER 2012 GP4L_W&V_April_2012.indd 1 2/27/12 11:59 AM Target Wineries By: Size Location Production Details Sales Data New Wineries Since Online Marketing System (OMS) The Wines & Vines WinesVinesDATA WINESANDVINES.COM/OMS Private donations funded the majority of the new Robert Mondavi Institute, but little money is available for research there.