The UC - Hopland Research & Extension Center has played an important role in Mendocino County viticulture for over four decades. Over the years there have been several research vineyard trials assessing wine grape varietals that may have potential for quality wine in the warm, sunny climate of the southeast portion of the county.
The two key researchers are the the late Bruce Bearden, a past UC Cooperative Extension grape and pear advisor, and the current UCCE winegrowing and plant science advisor Glenn McGourty. Bearden's varietal trials yielded positive results for varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc ... all now well established varietals in local commercial viticulture.
McGourty's more recent varietal trials have concentrated on Mediterranean wine grape cultivars such as Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Mourvedra and others, of which some are now grown as specialty wine grapes in the local region. His current trial contains more Mediterranean cultivars such as Tannat, Teroldego, Tinta Amarello, Tinta Francisca, and Tocai Friulano.
Since the various cultivars ripen in a staggered time sequence, the ripe fruit provides a continuous "smorgasbord" of delectable delights for pests such as European Starlings, so preventative bird netting is a necessary management tool.
