Invitation to Participate in the Winkler Project Update

​Project Summary
The Forrestel lab in the Department of Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis is working on a project to update the Winkler Index to include cultivar-specific growth models and site-specific environmental data to create a tool that growers can use to better understand the most important environmental drivers of berry development and chemistry.  Recognizing that growers across California continue to reference the Winkler Index, these revisions will improve its usefulness as a tool in viticultural decision-making and may provide guidance for long-term planning in the face of climate change.
 
Grower Participation
The initial focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon in different Napa Valley AVAs.  Napa Valley Grapegrowers who are willing to share their weather station data and records related to their Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sites are invited to participate.

1. Local weather data (hourly preferred)
2. Historical phenological data (e.g. timing of bud break, bloom, veraison, and harvest)
3. Soil depth/characteristics (e.g. from soil pits or other sampling)
4. Irrigation information/schedule
5. Vine information (e.g. age, clone, rootstock, training and trellising)
6. Other relevant vineyard management practices (e.g. pruning, leaf and fruit removal practices, use of shade cloth or misting for heat mitigation, etc.)
7. Ability to collect small samples from each block this season for chemical analysis. Members of the Forrestel Lab are available to help with the compilation and organization of records

• Please note that all of the data that is provided for this project is anonymous, and we will not publish any geolocality data
• At a minimum, they need on-site climate and baseline phenology data to include vineyard blocks in the study

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