Internationally renowned scientist, agro-ecologist and third generation viticulturist Dr Mary Retallack will keynote the event as the WSU Ravenholt Lecturer. Dr Retallack, a viticultural consultant from Adelaide, Australia, co-founded and manages the National EcoVineyards Program. The program is a three-year, $2.2M regionally based initiative funded by Wine Australia that supports wine grape growers to plant cover crops, enhance soil health and improve vineyard biodiversity. The grassroots-focused EcoVineyards program works across nine wine growing regions and includes more than 75 demonstration sites testing a range of ecological practices in commercial vineyards of participating growers.
During her address, Dr Retallack will share insight from the EcoVineyards Program and discuss general soil health and biodiversity practices and how they can be practically integrated into a vineyard management system. She will spend two days visiting eastern Washington vineyards following the seminar. Her participation as the Ravenholt Lecturer speaks volumes about the Washington wine industry’s commitment on wine quality and sustainability.