Grower Board Funds $1.99 Million in Vineyard Disease Research

The California Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board said on Tuesday that it is investing $1.99 million in nine new research projects over the next two years, a move aimed at helping grape growers protect vineyards from disease and pest pressure.

The board, which is funded by growers, said the projects will focus on Pierce’s disease, grapevine viruses and the insects that spread them. The work ranges from early-stage studies to applied research, reflecting what the board described as a need to direct limited money toward projects with the most practical value in the vineyard.

“We reviewed many strong proposals this year, but we had to be selective,” Trey Irwin, the board chair, said in a statement. “We focused on funding a diverse set of projects that address the range of challenges growers are facing and will deliver the greatest value in the vineyard.”

The board also said it will continue supporting seven previously approved multi-year projects, with $866,277 allocated for fiscal year 2026/27.

Pierce’s disease remains one of the most serious threats to California vineyards because it can weaken vines and reduce yields. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a key vector for the disease, making research into both the pathogen and the insect central to control efforts.

Since 2001, the grower-funded program has supported 320 research grants, according to the board. It said it has invested $44.8 million in Pierce’s disease and glassy-winged sharpshooter research and another $17.3 million in studies of other pests and diseases.

The board said more information about its research program is available online.