4Th International Powdery & Downy Mildew Workshop

4th International Powdery & Downy Mildew Workshop

Napa Valley, California

September 30 – October 04, 2002

Second Announcement

Call for Papers

Introduction

Beginning at a restaurant table in Budapest, Hungary, the idea of organizing a workshop on powdery and downy mildew of grapevine has taken shape in so far three successful and stimulating meetings held in Geneva (New York State), Freiburg (Germany) and Loxton (South Australia). This meeting is organized every three years for an opportunity to communicate research information related to the biology and epidemiology of powdery and downy mildew in grapevine as well as exchanging experience on disease management.

The Fourth International Powdery & Downy Mildew Workshop will be held in Napa, California, September 30 – October 4, 2002. Located less than an hours drive northeast of San Francisco and an hour west of Davis, the valley is known for outstanding wines “Made in U.S.A.”

To the Wappo Indians who first inhabited the valley, "Napa" meant a land of plenty. Spawning salmon filled the waterways, clouds of migrating waterfowl darkened the skies and the valley floor served as home to wildcats, elk, black bear and grizzlies. Wild grapes also grew in abundance, but it took early settlers such as George Calvert Yount to recognize the valley's potential for cultivating winegrapes. Establishing the first local homestead in what is now Yountville in 1836, Yount was the first to plant vineyards in the valley. Other early pioneers included John Patchett, who planted the first commercial vineyard. Dr. George Crane, who promoted the planting of grapevines through a series of newspaper articles, and Hamilton Walker Crabb, who experimented with more than 400 grape varieties.

Charles Krug is credited with establishing Napa Valley's first commercial winery in 1861, and by 1889 there were more than 140 wineries in operation, including Schramsberg (founded in 1862), Beringer (1876) and Inglenook (1879). Before long, however, the rapid expansion of the new wine industry saw prices plummet amidst a sea of surplus grapes, and the arrival of phylloxera dealt vintners a stunning blow, as much of the valley's vineyard acreage fell victim to the destructive root louse.

An even greater threat to Napa Valley's wine business arrived in 1929, with the enactment of Prohibition. Vineyards were abandoned and many winemakers found other trades during the next 14 years, with a handful of wineries continuing to operate by producing sacramental wines. With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Napa Valley's wine industry began its renaissance: a period of recovery, then tremendous expansion and, finally, in recent years, refinement.

Today, the Napa Valley is home to 232 wineries. Its growers and vintners combine cutting-edge science with traditional techniques, and its reputation for producing world-class wines is firmly established in an ever-growing global market.

A pioneer of the valley in modern times who cannot be skipped here is Robert G. Mondavi. In 1966, he founded his own business together with his eldest son Michael. The company expanded rapidly during the following years and was soon known for its quality wine production. In 1972, the Los Angeles Times Vintners Tasting Event selected Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon as the top wine produced in California. In recent years, the Mondavi’s became famous for their prestigious premium wines produced in Oakville and other parts of the world. Today, the winery is a ‘global player’ having joint ventures with Chateau Mouton Rothschild in France and Caliterra (Chile).

Apart from the wine production, Northern California is appealing to visitors for the incomparable flair of nearby San Francisco and the “Great Outdoors” provided by the Sierra Nevada range and the wild and lonely Pacific Coast with its Redwood forests of stunning beauty.

The Organizing Committee invites all interested scientists and extension specialists to participate in the workshop. This Second Announcement is intended to help participants to arrange travel and is not a commitment on the part of the Organizing Committee to provide financial support.

(Visitors Information taken in part from the ‘Napa Valley Vinters Association’ Homepage with kind permission)

Venue

Site of the workshop is the

Embassy Suites Napa Valley Hotel

1075 California Blvd

Napa CA 94559

U.S.A.

Phone: +1 707-253-9540

FAX: +1 707-224-7708

(

from Sunday, September 29 until Friday, October 4

The registration desk is open throughout the conference. Please stop there to register and obtain an abstract book, list of participants and your name tag. If necessary, any pending fees and payments will be settled at this desk.

Committee

Scientific Committee:

David Gadoury, Geneva, NY (U.S.A.)

Cesare Gessler, Zurich (Switzerland)

Gary Grove, Prosser, WA (U.S.A.)

Doug Gubler, Davis, CA (U.S.A.)

Georg Hill, Oppenheim (Germany)

Hanns-Heinz Kassemeyer, Freiburg i.Br. (Germany)

Walter Kast, Weinsberg (Germany)

Jay Pscheidt, Corvallis, OR (U.S.A.)

Eileen Scott, Adelaide (Australia)

Local Organizing Committee:

Gary Grove

Doug Gubler

Elizabeth Jeffery

George Leavitt

Jay Pscheidt

Joachim Rumbolz

Scientific Secretariat

(for all questions on program):

PM/DM Workshop 2002

University of California

Department of Plant Pathology

One Shields Ave

Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A.

Fax: +1 530 752 5674

Email:

Meeting Program

Following topics will be covered for both diseases:

• Biology
• Epidemiology
• Population genetics
• Modeling
• Disease Management (Precision Agriculture, Organic viticulture, Integrated pest management)

The timetable of the conference is designed to allow presentation and subsequent discussion for three half-day units per disease (see below). Schedule also includes a Business Lunch and a Potpourri Session at the end of the workshop. After each topic, an hour of joint discussion covering the past presentations will be implemented. Please note that the schedule is subject to change until the organization committee has received abstracts and has made final arrangements.

Workshop timetable

Date / Day of week / Morning / Afternoon / Evening
Sept. 30 / Monday / Downy / Downy / Reception
Oct. 1 / Tuesday / Downy / Excursion1 / Excursion1
Oct. 2 / Wednesday / Powdery / Powdery / Wine Tasting
Oct. 3 / Thursday / Powdery / Excursion2 / Banquet
Oct. 4 / Friday / Downy/Powdery3 / Business Lunch & Potpourri
Oct. 5 / Saturday / Excursion4 / Excursion4 / Excursion4

1 Excursion to Sonoma Valley, 2 Excursion to Napa Valley, 3 Join Sessions for Disease Management, 4 Excursion to San Francisco and Muir Woods National Monument.

Abstract Submission

Please submit your abstract as follows:

1. The abstract must be written in English
2. The text should be concise, informative and reflect the contents of your presentation. Please use standard abbreviations only.
3. Please format in ‘Times New Roman’ (12 pt), single-spaced, with 2 columns per page.
4. A maximum of two pages including tables and figures will be allowed.
5. Please use MS Word only to facilitate the editing process.

All participants should send their abstracts via email to or as a MS Word file on a 3.5’’ floppy disk at the time of registration. Further information regarding the availability and format of either oral or poster presentation will be given in a ‘Third Announcement’.

Registration

 Dates and Deadlines:

Early Registration: March 1, 2002

Abstract Submission and Late Registration: April 1, 2002

 Registration and Accommodation:

The ‘Conference & Event Service’ of UC Davis is helping us to process your registration properly. Please send your filled-out registration forms to the address given on the registration form. For inquiries on registration and payments, please contact the ‘Conference & Event Service’ directly. For all other matters and the abstract submission, please contact the scientific secretariat ().

1. Registration for the workshop

The registration fee includes:

 Participation to all workshop sessions

 Workshop materials (abstract book, list of participants, et al.)

 Welcome Reception

 Banquet

 Coffee breaks

 Excursions during the workshop

 Wine tasting

1. Accommodation

All participants are encouraged to stay at the workshop hotel (‘Embassy Suites Napa Valley’). Costs of the rooms at the workshop hotel have been reduced to $ 100/room and night by use of donations from Dow AgroSciences, Syngenta and Bayer. The hotel offers a special group rate ($ 175/night but you will pay only $ 100/night) for 45 rooms to participants of the workshop.

• The prices quoted are for a spacious, 2-room suite and covers a complimentary, full cooked-to-order breakfast and a 2-hour complimentary hors d’oeuvre each night with drinks of your choice.
• All rooms have private bathroom

Alternatively, there are other options in town such as the ‘Best Western Elm House Inn’ (see section ‘accommodation’). However, we would appreciate you booking of rooms at the Embassy Suites.

Booking of the hotel is the responsibility of the participant. Please use the attached hotel form to reserve your room and send it to the hotel.

 Payments and Cancellations:

Payments can be made by credit card (VISA/Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club). Please fill out the attached registration form and return it signed by fax or regular mail to the Organization Secretariat (address on top of the form!).

Please note that no registration will be processed without the appropriate payment.

Registered participants will receive a confirmation of registration by email.

Cancellations until July 15, 2002, will be refunded in full, less $55.00 cancellation fee, until August 30 payments will be refunded at 50%. No refund will be made after September 15.

Accommodation

Workshop hotel is:
Embassy Suites Napa Valley Hotel
1075 California Blvd
Napa CA 94559
U.S.A.
Phone: +1 707-253-9540
FAX: +1 707-224-7708
( / Other hotels nearby include the:
Best Western Elm House Inn
800 California Boulevard
Napa, CA 94559
U.S.A.
Phone: +1 707-255-1831
Toll Free Reservations (inside U.S. only):
1-800-788-4356
Fax: +1 707-255-8609

Social Program/ Pre-Workshop Tour

• Guided Pre-Workshop Tour (Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29):

A tour to wine production sites along the Central California Coast and the San Joaquin Valley, guided by George Leavitt, is offered. The tour will start in South San Francisco on the morning of Sept 27 and will end at the conference hotel in Napa in the evening of Sept 29. Interested parties are kindly asked to register together with the main registration (see registration from below). Cost is $65 per person including accommodation in double rooms. Please mention a roommate to share room with on the attached registration form.

• Welcome Reception (Monday, September 30):

All participants and accompanying guests are cordially invited to attend the reception held in the conference hotel.

• Workshop Banquet (Thursday, October 3):

The Local Organizing Committee will organize a conference banquet, hosted by one of the Napa Valley wineries.

• Excursions

Two main excursions are planned during the workshop, leading participants through the vinegrowing areas of the Sonoma Valley (Tuesday, October 1) and Napa Valley (Thursday, October 3). The Napa excursion will be followed by the conference banquet (see above). Optional wine tasting will be offered on Wednesday, October 2. A final tour is planned to visit San Francisco and the Muir Woods National Monument (Saturday, October 5).

• Accompanying party program

A nonscientific program for excursions during the sessions will be organized for accompanying parties.

Travel Info

 Travel Documents

Visit to the U.S.A. generally requires a Visa. In case of most European countries (EU plus others), a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the US is sufficient on entry (Visa Waiver Program Permit). Please contact the U.S. embassy in your country for details. The most efficient way is to visit the homepage of the Department of State / U.S. Embassies (http://usembassy.state.gov/) and proceed to the respective country.

 Driving directions to workshop hotel

** From San Francisco - (across Golden Gate Bridge) - Highway 101 North to Highway 37 East. Exit at Sonoma/Napa. Turn left at the stoplight onto Highway 121 at Sears Point Raceway. Highway 121 intersects with HWY 29. Turn left onto HWY 29N. Exit at First street/Downtown Napa, veer right. Get in the far left lane. Make a left on California Blvd. The hotel is on the left side.

** From San Francisco - (across Bay Bridge) - HWY 80E to HWY 37W, at Marine World Parkway. Turn right at intersection of HWY 29, continue north toward Calistoga. Exit at First Street, turn right at the stop sign and left at California Blvd.

**From Sacramento Airport - Take the I-5 NORTH ramp towards WOODLAND, merge onto I-5 N, take the MAIN ST exit towards WOODLAND(CA-113 S), turn LEFT onto E MAIN ST, turn LEFT to take the CA-113 SOUTH ramp towards DAVIS, merge onto CA-113 S, take I-80 W. From I-80W to HWY 12W continue on HWY 12 pass the Chardonnay Golf Club. Turn right at the 2nd stoplight onto HWY 29N. Exit at First street/Downtown Napa, veer right, get in far left lane. Make a left on California Blvd. The hotel is on the left side.

Those requiring shuttle service should notify the Secretariat by August 1.

Napa & Northern California

Northern California may be part of the great state of California, but the realities of this area are worlds away from the traditional images of sunshine, Hollywood glamour, or even from the unique 'microculture' of nearby San Francisco. The area of Northern California is diverse in itself and consists, amongst other things, of wild and lonely coastline, impressive redwood forests, majestic and little known mountains, and perhaps its most well known asset - vineyards and wine country. A visit to Northern California is ideal for those searching for a real getaway to a less-traveled destination, and who want to avoid the massive crowds, mega traffic gridlocks, and the hectic pace of big cities. While mass tourism is alive and well in Northern California, the product remains laid back and understated. In this part of the state it is possible to imagine the appeal this magnificent land must have had for early settlers. The magic of Northern California is that it has been able to retain its innocence.

Featured Attractions

The wines of California are now taken very seriously amongst world aficionados. Many are on par with Old World wines - in quality as well as in terms of high price. Serious wine production began here in 1857 when Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy purchased a defunct vineyard. A huge variety of wines are now produced, from budget table wines to rare and coveted vintages, and all these are now exported throughout the world. There are vineyards in many different regions of California, but the two most well known and prestigious wine-producing areas are in the Napa Valley and the Sonoma Valley - both in Northern California and a relatively short drive from the San Francisco Area. Though these two valleys only produce 5% of California wines, their product includes the best that the state has to offer, and many awards at world wine festivals have been won by the vintages of this area.

The Napa Valley is the most famous of all the vineyard areas, but many actually find the adjacent and more relaxing Sonoma Valley preferable. In the Sonoma Valley many of the wineries are smaller, less commercialized, and free tastings are the rule rather than the exception. The Sonoma Valley is very beautiful with mountains covered in oak trees and a very continental atmosphere. The town of Sonoma is Spanish Colonial in style - with an attractive central plaza. Worth a visit here is the Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma - the most northern of the famous chain of missions built by Spanish colonialists throughout the state. This was built because of fear of Russian colonization.

The Napa Valley is much busier and more commercialized, the main centers are the towns of Napa and the more appealing St. Helena and Calistoga. Scenically the Napa Valley is reminiscent of the South of France, so it is very appealing to the eye. Of the many large wineries here perhaps the most well known to the general public is the Robert Mondavi Winery. This winery provides an excellent tour that is very informative concerning the actual process of wine making. Nearly all the Napa Valley wineries charge for tasting, but at around $3 for three different wines it is not overly expensive. A great way of seeing the valley is to take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train - lunch and dinner are included with some good wines thrown in.

The coastline of Northern California is spectacular. Running from Marin County north of San Francisco to the border with Oregon, this is totally inspiring. Very different from the traditional beaches of Southern California, the coast here is more suited for long hikes and absorbing nature on misty trails. Rocky and wild rather than sandy and sunny is the norm here. Swimming is rarely an option as the tides and currents are too powerful and the water far too cold, while some may surf here, it is nowhere near as widespread as it is further south. Wildlife viewing is marvelous, and it is often possible to see whales (in winter the Grey whale migrates southwards past this coast) and sea lions from the shore. Many interesting towns and communities are situated along the way. These include, (progressing northwards) aesthetically impressive but trendy Mendocino, Fort Bragg - equally attractive but more down to earth. Eureka is a main center for the coastal region and has an interesting historic section - full of beautiful Victorian homes, and Arcata a classic California 60s- style academic town.