Wine Grape Varieties in California

This beautifully illustrated book is a must-have for growers, vintners, and enthusiasts. Inside you'll find information on ripening periods for 53 varieties grown in California, ripening dates of varieties by period and growing district, and detailed illustrations of grapevine structure. Most valuable of all is the discussion of the 36 major wine grape varieties grown in the state. Every variety receives an overview of synonyms, source, physical characteristics, harvest periods and methods, and winery use. Each variety is highlighted by close-up photography of its clusters, leaves, and leaf shoots.

Peter Christensen was a UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor in Fresno County for 23 years. He was responsible for applied research and grower education programs for the raisin, table grape and wine grape industries. His world renowned expertise was extensive, involving trellis and training systems, nutrition and fertilization regimes, varieties and clones, propagation and mechanization.

Pete was the recipient of the 2004 Merit Award from ASEV, the most prestigious award given by the society.

Nick Dokoozlian is the Vice President of Viticulture, Chemistry and Enology at E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto, CA. He also serves as the Research Chair for the National Grape and Wine Initiative, as well as an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Viticulture and Enology.

Prior to joining E&J Gallo, he was a member of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, where his research focused on the effects of cultural practices and environmental factors on grape and wine composition.

Andrew Walker holds the Louise Rossi Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis where his research program focuses on developing new resistant rootstocks. His lab studies the genetics of resistance, their genetic diversity and aggressivity, and host/pest interactions of these pests with grape species.

James Wolpert was the chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. he was responsible for applied research and grower education programs for northern California.

His research focused on evaluation of winegrape varieties and clones and the evaluation of rootstocks. His work in rootstock evaluation throughout northern and coastal California has provided the basis for grower recommendations for a range of soil types.