Oregon is globally celebrated for premium wines and eco-friendly farming, yet growers face an intense annual battle against powdery mildew, often requiring 5 to 15 fungicide applications per season. For organic and biodynamic producers, spray frequencies sit firmly at the higher end of that spectrum, creating a significant hurdle for those striving to lower inputs, cut costs, and minimize environmental impact.
While other agricultural sectors have long relied on crop improvement and disease-resistant varieties developed by land-grant institutions and the USDA, West Coast wine production has historically remained anchored to Vitis vinifera cultivars that lack natural resistance to fungal pressures. However, newer disease-resistant wine grape releases from breeding programs across the US and internationally show promise for modern wine markets.
To explore the potential of disease-resistant cultivars, Oregon State University will plant two major cultivar trials starting in 2027—one in the Willamette Valley at OSU’s Woodhall Vineyard and another in the Rogue Valley at the Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center (OSU-SOREC). Funded by the Oregon Wine Research Institute with plant materials generously donated by nurseries, this multi-year collaborative effort between Dr. Patty Skinkis and Dr. Alec Levin represents the first trial of its kind on the US West Coast.
The project will evaluate approximately ten carefully selected cultivars at each location for vine growth, vigor, yield, and fruit composition, alongside small-scale winemaking to assess final quality. By bridging the gap between innovative breeding and regional performance, the research aims to empower the wine industry with sustainable, low-input options for more resilient farming.
Read Skinkis’ full overview of the project here.
— Story contributed by OSU College of Ag Sciences