The effects of elevation on winegrape growth, physiology, fruit and wine composition, and vineyard management and winemaking practices are topics that have not been widely investigated. In order to summarize the scientific research on these topics and determine future research needs, the Elevation of Wine offered two grants of $1,000 each to students at the University of California at Davis and at California State University at Fresno. With the guidance of university faculty, the students searched the major scientific literature databases to compile lists of current scientific research on high elevation topics from around the world. The two groups carried out literature research on different aspects of high elevation viticulture and winemaking, and each group compiled a literature list containing bibliographic information and abstracts of the scientific papers that were found.

At U.C. Davis, Sallie Hess, a graduate student working with Dr. David Smart, Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, searched for scientific research on high elevation vineyard management, vine physiology, and grape and wine composition and quality. At C.S.U. Fresno, Willow Corson and Jeremiah Timm, two undergraduate students under the guidance of Dr. Robert Wample, Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, focused on the effects of UV radiation levels and climate differences related to elevation on vine physiology and grape and wine composition.

The complete bibliographies with abstracts will be available to attendees at the Elevation of Wine Symposium to be held June 14, 2007 at Snows Lake Vineyard in Lake County, California. The findings and recommendations from the two scientific literature searches will also provide a foundation for discussions on future needs in high elevation viticultural and enological research. The Elevation of Wine aims to continue promoting high altitude viticultural and enological research and to act as a clearinghouse for vintners from around the world.