WSU team writes “best paper”

Washington State University Extension enologist Jim Harbertson and colleagues received an award for the 2009 Best Paper in Enology from the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. The paper, “Chemical and Sensory Effects of Saignée, Water Addition, and Extended Maceration on High Brix Must,” published earlier in the society’s journal, looked at several winemaking techniques in high-sugar situations. The selection committee noted that the paper addresses questions and practices of all winemakers, but especially those of boutique winemakers without the facilities to investigate the impacts on their products. The award will be presented during the national ASEV conference to be held June 20–24 in Seattle, Washington.

New president for California grape growers

With trade association and Capital Hill experience, John Aguirre has been named the new president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. Beginning June 1, Aguirre will fill the void left by Karen Ross, who left last year as chief of staff for U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Aguirre spent the last 11 years as executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. Plant pest and disease issues were a major focus, and he worked closely with the USDA and state agricultural department, helping launch the Grower Assisted Inspection Program and U.S. Nursery Certification Program.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, he spent five years in Congress working for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and later for the House Committee on Agriculture. In 1991, he became a lobbyist for the National Food Processors Association and was vice president of government affairs for the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.