Introduction to Winemaking
Ron Runnebaum
Viticulture & Enology and Chemical Engineering
Ron Runnebaum is an Associate Professor in the Department of Viticulture & Enology and in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He joined the Department of Viticulture and Enology from a San Francisco-based start-up company that developed catalyst technologies to convert natural gas to fuels and chemicals. Prof. Runnebaum earned his M.S. in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis working on a project to understand the physical and chemical basis of mouthfeel. While at UC Davis, he was awarded a fellowship from the Chevaliers du Tastevin Foundation to learn from Frédéric Mugnier of J. F. Mugnier in Burgundy, France. He has also worked in the cellars of Hanzell Vineyards and Acacia Winery, in Sonoma and Napa, California, respectively. Prof. Runnebaum’s lab works on developing processes for more sustainable use of our natural resources, including those important in winemaking. These processes often involve the development and use of solid materials that can be regenerated and reused and can both replace the use of chemicals and reduce solid waste produced.
A Message to Students and Parents
When I was a graduate student at UC Davis, I had the opportunity to spend a harvest making wine in France; the experience has been very impactful on my outlook on food, history, culture, wine… even my research at UC Davis! Introduction to Winemaking in Dijon, France, is an ideal course for those interested in Wine, Food, Nutrition, Geography, History and Culture. The ‘real experiences’ in this class are the winery and vineyard visits coupled with cultural and sightseeing activities specific to the regions in France we visit. There is sometimes a spillover into neighboring countries like Germany and Switzerland. The areas we visit have an extraordinarily rich geographic and cultural heritage. After taking the summer course, many former students have actually changed their major to Viticulture and Enology because of the experiences in France. This will be the first time I will teach this class abroad. My French colleague and I work to offer the best learning experience—small class sizes, field trips followed by focused discussion groups and then games to make things fun! Students who have taken this course in the past have commented that it is an experience they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. It offers both valuable technical information and a unique opportunity for the students to broaden their horizons and discover other cultures and ways of life."