Napa Valley Wine Community Pledges $2.5 Million to Red Blotch Research

Independent initiative will fund research focused on practical vineyard solutions

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. , Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Winegrowers and wineries have pledged $2.5 million to launch Phase One of the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative, a public-private collaboration created to accelerate practical research into Grapevine Red Blotch Virus (GRBV).

The initiative has gained momentum through the commitment and leadership of Christian Mouiex/Dominus Estate, Darioush Winery, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Joe Wender and Ann Colgin, Louis P. Ciminelli/Laelius Winegrowing, Opus One Winery, Phillips Family Farming/Vine Hill Ranch, Tom Gamble/Gamble Estates, The Araujo Family, and other wine industry leaders.

GRBV is one of the most serious unresolved threats facing wine production. The virus can impair vine performance, delay fruit ripening, alter grape composition, and diminish wine quality with associated increases in management costs and replanting. These issues are worsened by the fact that winegrowers lack early detection methods and proven field strategies to limit spread and manage affected vines.

The GRBV Initiative brings winegrowers, wineries, researchers and public institutions together to jointly advance a coordinated research program. Phase One is designed as a three-year effort that will support multiple projects at leading research institutions, with defined milestones and a clear path from scientific discovery to vineyard use.

The effort started in 2025 as discussions among wine industry and research leaders, initiated by the Moët Hennessy Robert-Jean de Vogüé Research Center, regarding the principal knowledge gaps in Red Blotch and the need for a coordinated, multi-institutional response. In July 2026, these discussions culminated in a meeting of industry and research participants to refine research priorities and consider a shared funding effort. A smaller working group was formed to evaluate governance and administrative options.

Research priorities

The first competitive calls for proposals will focus on:

• Earlier, more reliable detection and diagnostic methods
• Virus and vector biology, including transmission and patterns of spread
• Practical mitigation and vineyard-management strategies
• Nursery testing, clean plant material and validation of diagnostic tools

The program may also support work on vine physiology and longer-term resistance while advancing practical outcomes for growers.

"Researchers and industry leaders have come together to identify the most urgent Red Blotch research needs and coordinate the work ahead. The wine community deserves tremendous credit for stepping up with the resources to put that plan into motion. We are excited to join this effort to help deliver practical tools that growers can use."

– Dr. Ben Monpetit, Chair, Department of Viticulture and Enology, CD Davis

Independent review and accountability

Research awards will be made through open, competitive calls available to qualified institutions. A proposed 10-member Governance Committee with equal representation from both wine and research communities, will establish priorities and budgets, approve calls for proposals and make final funding decisions.

An independent Technical Review Panel of qualified reviewers will evaluate proposals for scientific merit, feasibility, team capability, measurable milestones and practical vineyard impact.

The GRBV Initiative is working with the American Vineyard Foundation to serve as fiscal agent and program administrator for Phase One, with administrative agreements to soon be completed. The Governance Committee will retain responsibility for program performance, accountability and continuation decisions.

Next steps

The GRBV Initiative expects to issue its first calls for proposals in January 2027 and make initial funding decisions in spring 2027. Additional fundraising will continue to expand the research program and support future phases. Anyone interested in supporting the initiative should contact Bart Araujo.

About the Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative

The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative is an industry-led, scientifically independent public-private collaboration dedicated to accelerating high-quality research on GRBV. Through competitive awards, independent scientific review and accountability, the Initiative seeks to deliver practical tools and durable solutions for grapegrowers.

SOURCE The Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Research Initiative