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Researchers work to strengthen U.S. wine industry

A recent nationwide study finds labor and adapting to a changing climate are top challenges for the wine industry.

Michigan State University Extension’s viticultural educator Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar tells Brownfield researchers hope identifying major issues will generate future USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant collaborations across the country.

“As far as I know, 15 states are involved in this project,” he shares. “We are going to ask about $6,000,000 for the U.S. wine industry to have research and an extension project.”

California represents 85 percent of U.S. wine production, but researchers say climate impacts like drought, wildfires, and limited access to water are challenging its sustainability and viability.

The Enhancing Regional Grape and Wine Production and Quality project aims to better understand regional differences in viticulture, enology, and business to support a more diversified industry.

Nasrollahiazar says projects will likely address managing emerging pests and diseases through mechanization to overcome labor shortages, but some management processes are too delicate to automate.

“One of the challenges is pruning, and the harvest, and maintaining canopy,” he shares. “For pruning, it’s too complicated to have robots that can prune.”

Other concerns identified through the survey included the adoption of cold-hardy varietals, the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on aromatics, and distribution challenges.

The project is being led by specialists at Iowa State University.