Texas A&M’s Dr. Justin Scheiner to Receive ASEV Extension Distinction Award at 2025 National Conference

Davis, Calif., May 14, 2025 — Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist Dr. Justin Scheiner at Texas A&M University has been confirmed as the 2025 ASEV Extension Distinction Award for his exceptional contributions to grape and wine industry outreach. The award will be presented during the ASEV National Conference, June 16-19, in Monterey, California.

As part of the honor, Dr. Scheiner will deliver his presentation, “Is Anyone Listening? Stakeholder Engagement in a Post-COVID World,” on Wednesday, June 18. His talk will explore how the pandemic reshaped outreach and grower engagement, and how Extension professionals can better connect with evolving industry needs.

Dr. Scheiner leads statewide education and technical support programs for the Texas grape and wine industry through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His programs have supported hundreds of vineyard owners and winemakers across Texas through a mix of hands-on training, research-based workshops and tailored consultation. Notable offerings include the Prospective Grape Grower Workshop, Advanced Viticulture Short Course and targeted irrigation management trainings—each designed to address regional challenges and improve grape quality, vine health and vineyard profitability.

His applied research focuses on sustainable and site-specific vineyard practices, including canopy and irrigation management, rootstock and cultivar selection and strategies for controlling Pierce’s disease, a key threat in Texas winegrowing regions.

“Dr. Scheiner exemplifies what effective extension looks like—scientifically grounded, industry responsive and committed to practical results,” said ASEV Board Interim President Michelle Moyer. “His work has had a measurable, lasting impact across one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing wine regions.”

Dr. Scheiner also teaches in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M and is a member of the university’s graduate faculty, bridging academic research with grower-focused programming.

The ASEV Extension Distinction Award is given to a current ASEV member and extension educator based on their contributions to enology or viticulture through their extension program, or the translation of novel research findings into commercially applicable tools for enologists or viticulturists.

The ASEV National Conference is a platform to gather and discuss scientific and technological advances for the benefit and evolution of the grape and wine industries. It provides a stimulating and collegial atmosphere for industry, students, and academics to learn, engage, and network. To register for the conference, visit the online registration page by June 10 and/or make hotel reservations by May 27 for cost savings.

ASEV is an international community of wine and grape professionals that promotes industry vitality through the exchange of information and support of research and education. ASEV hosts the National Conference in June and co-hosts the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in January. ASEV publishes the online American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (AJEV) and awards scholarships to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or in a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry.