Oregon State University Professor and Director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute Appointed as ASEV Board President

DAVIS, Calif., August 8, 2025… Professor James Osborne has been confirmed as the president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) for 2025-2026. Dr. Osborne, Director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute and professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology at Oregon State University, Corvallis, succeeds Michelle Moyer from Washington State University, Prosser.

“I’m honored to lead ASEV as we continue advancing the science that drives our community forward,” said Dr. Osborne. “ASEV bridges the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world application, fostering collaboration that benefits everyone from researchers to growers to winemakers. I’m excited to work with this talented board to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Dr. Osborne has extensive expertise in enology, with particular focus on wine microbiology. His research program at Oregon State University addresses the impact of microorganisms on wine quality with an emphasis on non-Saccharomyces yeast, malolactic fermentation, and wine spoilage by Brettanomyces and Pediococcus. He earned his PhD in Food Science from Washington State University in 2005 and his master’s degree in microbiology from Massey University in New Zealand in 2000.

An ASEV member since 2001, Dr. Osborne has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the Society. He served as ASEV Director (2019-2022), Secretary-Treasurer (2022-2023), Second Vice President (2023-2024) and First Vice President (2024-2025). His extensive ASEV contributions include serving on the technical programs committee, awards committee, and chairing the best student presentation awards committee. He has been a regular American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (AJEV) reviewer since 2006 and has served as both moderator and speaker at National Conferences since 2007. Dr. Osborne also co-chaired the Brettanomyces Symposium in 2018 and contributed to technical program committees for international symposiums.

ASEV’s Board of Directors for 2025-2026 also includes:

• First Vice President – Kristen Barnhisel: Winemaker, White Wine at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in Monterey, California
• Second Vice President – Federico Casassa: Associate Professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Secretary-Treasurer – Lise Asimont: Viticulturist/Winemaker at Foley Family Wines and Dot Wine in Healdsburg, California
• Science Editor – Markus Keller: Professor / Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor in Viticulture at Washington State University, Prosser
• ASEV’s Board of Directors for 2025-2026 also includes:
• First Vice President – Kristen Barnhisel: Winemaker, White Wine at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in Monterey, California
• Second Vice President – Federico Casassa: Associate Professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Secretary-Treasurer – Lise Asimont: Viticulturist/Winemaker at Foley Family Farms and Dot Wine in Healdsburg, California
• Science Editor – Markus Keller: Professor / Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor in Viticulture at Washington State University, Prosser
• Technical Program Director – Hans Walter-Peterson: Viticulture Extension Specialist at Cornell University, New York

Directors:

• Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez: Winery Manager / Winemaker at the University of California, Davis
• Bob Coleman: Technical Winemaker at Treasury Wine Estates in California
• *Alec Levin: Associate Professor at Oregon State University in Central Point, Oregon, and Viticulturist at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
• *Caroline Merrell: Senior Manager, Winemaking Technical Services at Jackson Family Wines in Napa, California
• Elizabeth Tomasino: Enology Professor at Oregon State University, Corvallis
• *Aude Watrelot: Assistant Professor & Extension Enology Specialist at Iowa State University, Ames

*newly confirmed directors

As an international community of wine and grape professionals, ASEV promotes industry vitality through the exchange of information and support of research and education. We host a variety of platforms for the dissemination of basic and applied research as well as the examination of emerging issues shaping the industry, including the annual National Conference in June and the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, co-hosted with the California Association of Winegrape Growers. The Society also operates the ASEV Foundation, which provides scholarships and educational opportunities for students and professionals in enology and viticulture. For more information, visit asev.org.