Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705606
6 4 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | J u l y - A u g 2 016 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m 35-plus winemaker clients. "Warm vintage years, like 2014 and 2015, really reinforce the importance of watering vines enough to keep them from shutting down before grapes can be harvested." A winemaker who only recently came around to the WSU research is Juan Muñoz-Oca, head wine- maker at Washington's Columbia Crest Winery. Muñoz-Oca grew up in Argentina's wine industry, where the dilution concept is still strongly believed. Keller has had many dis- cussions with Muñoz-Oca. "My upbringing in Argentina — my initial gut feeling — tells me the dilution theory should be true," he says. "But I can't argue against the research. It makes total sense. Keller's research has proven to me that drip irrigation water doesn't dilute sugars and the irrigation helps avoid berry dehydration. Winemakers some- times confuse berry dehydration with sweet fruit." He believes the research is important because it lets everyone make more educated decisions: "Both vineyardists and winemakers have a responsibility to grow healthy vines and prepare them for winter." Keller's work is proof that cen- turies of tradition can be changed through science, research and per- sistence. Melissa Hansen is research pro- gram manager for the Washington State Wine Commission (WSW), which represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington state. Guided by an appointed board, the mission of WSW is to raise positive aware- ness and demand for Washington state wine through marketing and education while supporting viticul- ture and enology research to drive industry growth. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSW is a state govern- ment agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwmmedia.com.