American Viticulture And Enology Research Network (AVERN)

Alan N. Lakso
Department of Horticultural Sciences
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Geneva, NY 14456 
AVERN is a national voluntary partnership of industry, university researchers, and cooperative extension personnel formed through the initiative of leaders in the U.S. wine and grape industry. As such, AVERN seeks to establish a national research network for creating an effective linkage and communication among the partners, identifying national research investment priorities, and facilitating the increase of research investment funds in viticulture and enology.

Goals and Leadership

The ultimate mission of AVERN is: "To enhance the health and international competitiveness of the American wine and grape industry via a national research network that will develop and link the funding and human resources to put the U.S. at the leading edge of viticulture and enology, applied technology and fundamental research, to benefit our industry, our customers and the U. S. economy."

AVERN, which was initially formed in mid-1996, has just appointed a Board of Directors of university researchers, extension specialists, industry research leaders, and other leaders from across the U.S. representing the various regions and industries. There are regional coordinators providing liaison in each region. The Board will develop and direct efforts to achieve its mission and goals. Patrick Gleeson, who leads the American Vineyard Foundation in California, is the general coordinator. Zelma Long of Simi Winery in California deserves credit for providing much of the initial effort and coordination in the development AVERN.

Board members from this region, or with connections, include Tom Davenport of National Grape, John Martini of Anthony Road Wine Co., Bertram Silk of Canandaigua Wine, Dr. Bob Pool of Cornell, Dr. Stan Howell of Michigan State University, and myself as regional representative. All of these members would welcome your input and suggestions.

Research Priorities

Initial efforts at identifying national research priorities fall into the following categories: Optimizing the performance of grape production systems; Developing pest management programs that are economically feasible, environmentally sound and socially acceptable; Improving the genetic bases for grape, juice and wine quality; Improving viticultural practices to improve grape, juice and wine quality; Characterizing and managing grape phenols via processing and viticultural practices; Developing environmentally sound processing operations; and, Utilizing yeast and bacteria to improve wine aromas and flavors. These priorities will be continually reviewed and updated.

Research Support

AVERN has no funds itself, but efforts to improve funding for viticulture and enology research have begun. Contacts with the USDA have been made via several programs. An AVERN proposal to the new Fund For Rural America to support a national center for grape and wine industry development was made, but unfortunately was not funded. AVERN, with the help of the American Vintners Association has been addressing the USDA Agricultural Research Service about the need to provide more ARS effort on grapes and grape products. Other opportunities will be pursued as they are identified.

Related Industry Groups

There are several other industry groups that have varying missions, but work cooperatively with AVERN to improve the industry. Since many leaders are involved in several groups and because there is often confusion about who is who, the following is a brief description of several important related industry groups.

American Vintners Association: Based in Washington, D.C., the American Vintners Association is a national trade organization for the American wine industry, representing over 500 wineries in 41 states. AVA's primary focus is on federal government relations and advocacy. AVA cooperates closely with AVERN to address the need to increase the research investment in the industry. They were important in the establishment of the Viticulture Consortia for grape research.

American Vineyard Foundation: The American Vineyard Foundation is a California corporation organized by the American Society of Enology and Viticulture that raises funds annually from the California wine and grape industry for enology and viticulture research of impact to the California industry.

Viticulture Consortia: A federally-supported program to fund research in support of viticulture and the grape industry. See the companion article in this issue that describes this program in detail.

The California Wine Institute: A strong wine industry organization of California wineries that addresses wine issues, and is an industry lobbying presence in Washington, D.C.

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