UC Davis Department of Viticulture & Enology Professor Emeritus Dave Smart has died

UC Davis Department of Viticulture & Enology Professor Emeritus Dave Smart has died according to the Viticulture & Enology Facebook page

“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Professor Emeritus Dave Smart passed away yesterday, after a long illness. Dave joined the Department in 2000 as an Assistant Professor, focusing his research on root biology, spatial mapping of vineyard variability, and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Not only did he work on grapes, but also on almonds and other tree nut crops important to California. Dave had former students and collaborators across the country and around the world, many of them attending an extension program in honor of his career last December.

“He taught a generation of winemakers and vineyard managers, especially in the VEN 101C field class, but also in two graduate field courses, traveling with students across the state to give them insights into modern viticulture and vineyard establishment.

“Dave enjoyed interactions with industry through research collaborations and extension programs around California. He retired from the Department in 2019.”