Christopher Gerling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2008
Contact: Linda McCandless, llm3@cornell.edu, 607-254-5137

Christopher Gerling appointed Cornell enology extension associate
By Joe Ogrodnick

Geneva, N.Y.: Christopher J. Gerling has been appointed as an extension associate in Cornell University's Department of Food Science and Technology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES). The appointment was effective Feb. 18, 2008.

As a member of a multidisciplinary team in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) enology and viticulture program, Gerling will play a leading role in the coordination of enology and extension programs through collaboration with faculty, staff and other statewide extension personnel.

"I'm very pleased that Chris has accepted this position. He has the necessary personal assets to be a fine enology extension associate," said Cy Lee, professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology. "Chris also has excellent educational credentials and cross-disciplinary experience in both enology and viticulture. Most importantly, he is very familiar with the Cornell enology and viticulture program and the New York state wine industry."

Gerling is responsible for facilitating educational programs that support the growth and improved quality of premium wines throughout the state. Examples include organization of statewide wine industry workshops, regional meetings and conferences as well as coordination of tasting panels to review wine evaluations associated with research.

Additional responsibilities are the coordination and scheduling of wine fermentations and evaluations that are done in the enology laboratory in Geneva. He will also have an active role in the preparation and writing of extension publications focusing on issues of importance to the New York wine industry.

"Chris's appointment ensures the continuation of a strong and committed extension component in the enology program," said Christopher Watkins, a professor of horticulture and Cornell Cooperative Extension's associate director. "Chris joins an outstanding team of individuals in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Geneva and Ithaca and throughout the state. This team is making major contributions to New York state's wine industry to ensure that it continues to grow and thrive."

"A strong foundation in research is essential for the development of any industry, but equally important is the input and experience of the industry to help guide and focus the research," Gerling said. "I firmly believe that this connection is the essence of extension, and in this connection lies one of New York's most important strategic advantages."

Gerling worked previously at Anthony Road Wine Company, in Penn Yan, N.Y., where he had been an assistant winemaker since 2006. He worked at NYSAES from 1999-2005 as a technician in the departments of Horticultural Sciences and Food Science and Technology. While studying for an MS in food science, which he received in 2007, he served as a teaching assistant for the course Understanding Wine and Beer. Gerling also earned a BS in communications from Cornell, in 1999.

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