Oregon State Professor Takes Helm of American Society for Enology and Viticulture
July 30, 2020 
Dr. Patty Skinkis
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) confirmed Dr. Patty Skinkis as its 2020-21 President as of July 1. She will lead ASEV’s 12-member board.
Skinkis, a Viticulture Extension Specialist and Professor at Oregon State University, succeeds Kristen Barnhisel, a winemaker for white wines at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines.
“I am pleased to be serving as ASEV President during these trying times,” Skinkis said. “The challenges provide us with opportunities to change as a society and envision a new reality that may better serve the industry and the culture of scientific exchange long-term.”
Skinkis spends most of her time developing and delivering research information and educational outreach materials for the commercial wine grape industry in Oregon. As part of her viticulture program at OSU, she conducts applied research that impacts the commercial wine grape industry and contributes to the broader knowledge of grapevine physiology and vineyard sustainability.
She teaches an upper-division viticulture course in OSU’s Department of Horticulture. A highlight of her outreach efforts is building community between industry members and researchers through technical groups allowing information exchange to drive research and innovations.
Skinkis has been awarded the ASEV’s Extension Distinction Award (2018), the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (2017), Early Career Service Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi (2016), Visionary Horticulturist Award from the American Society of Horticulture Science (ASHS) Extension Working Group (2014), Outreach and Engagement Award from OSU (2012), Outstanding Service Award by the Oregon Wine Board (2011), Savery Young Faculty Award from OSU College of Agricultural Sciences (2010), Search for Excellence Award from the OSU Extension Association (2009), and the Shining Star Award by Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (2008).
In addition to Skinkis, the board’s Executive Committee for 2020-2021 includes: Tom Collins, Assistant Professor at the Wine Science Center, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, First Vice President; R. Keith Striegler, Grower Outreach Specialist of E. & J. Gallo Winery, CA, Second Vice President; and Merilark Padgett-Johnson of the Natural Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College, CA, Secretary-Treasurer. Continuing on with their board positions are Markus Keller, Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor in Viticulture at the Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Prosser, WA., as the ASEV Science Editor, and James Harbertson, Associate Professor of Enology at the Wine Science Center, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, as the Technical Program Director. New incoming ASEV directors include Kristen Barnhisel, Winemaker at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, CA, and Federico Casassa, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
ASEV was formed in 1950 as a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production. Its membership of approximately 1,600 includes professionals from wineries, vineyards, and academic institutions and organizations from around the world.
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