Our Research Priorities

1. Soil Health and Nutrient Management

  • Investigate methods to improve soil health through organic amendments, composting, and cover crops.

  • Study the impact of soil microbiomes on grapevine nutrition, disease resistance, and wine quality.

  • Evaluate precision nutrient management techniques, including sap analysis, for real-time monitoring and reduced input costs.

2. Water Quality and Use Efficiency

  • Evaluate vineyard irrigation practices to improve water use efficiency and reduce runoff.

  • Develop sustainable solutions for wastewater and process water discharge from vineyards and wineries.

3. Trunk Disease Management

  • Assess early detection methods for trunk diseases (e.g., Esca, Eutypa dieback).

  • Develop best practices to mitigate trunk diseases and extend vine lifespan under Michigan conditions.

4. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

  • Study the effects of climate change on grapevine phenology, fruit quality, and vineyard productivity.

  • Develop adaptive strategies for frost mitigation, heat stress management, and extreme weather resilience.

5. Regenerative Viticulture and Sustainability

  • Assess regenerative viticulture practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and carbon sequestration.

  • Measure the effects of these practices on soil health, vine resilience, and environmental impact.

6. Naturally Disease-Resistant Varieties

  • Evaluate performance and wine quality of naturally disease-resistant grapevine varieties (hybrid and vinifera) in Michigan.

  • Identify pathways for integrating these varieties into existing vineyard systems to reduce pesticide dependence.

7. Pest and Disease Management

  • Study integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, including bio-fungicides, pheromone traps, and beneficial insects.

  • Address pesticide resistance and evaluate alternatives to systemic fungicides.

8. Water and Nutrient Stress Mitigation

  • Explore irrigation techniques and canopy management to reduce drought and heat stress.

  • Study the role of precision viticulture tools to monitor water and nutrient stress.

9. Modern Technology and Mechanization

  • Implement remote sensing, drones, and precision viticulture tools to optimize vineyard management.

  • Evaluate the impact of mechanization and automation on labor efficiency and fruit quality.

10. Trellis Systems and Vineyard Architecture

  • Study the impact of trellis systems on vine growth, yield, fruit quality, and cold-climate management.

  • Compare labor efficiency and compatibility with mechanization for different trellis designs.

11. Statewide Grape Pricing and Economic Studies

  • Conduct comprehensive grape pricing surveys to provide benchmarking data for Michigan growers.

  • Explore economic trends, market opportunities, and the feasibility of organic and biodynamic conversions.

12. Wine Quality and Production Techniques

  • Study the impact of viticultural and environmental conditions on wine quality and sensory profiles.

  • Develop protocols for maximizing phenolic extraction, especially for red winemaking.

  • Optimize the use of grape pomace for composting or as a byproduct in production systems.