Tom Collins Assistant Professor Viticulture and Enology WSU Wine Science Center

Tom Collins, assistant professor at the Washington State University Wine Science Center, has been confirmed as the 2021–22 president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, according to an ASEV news release. Effective July 1, Collins succeeded Patty Skinkis of Oregon State University. 

Known for his extensive work in chemical analysis, including smoke exposure in wine, Collins has been an active member of ASEV since 1993. Prior to beginning his work at WSU in 2015, Collins was director of research at the Food Safety and Measurement Facility at University of California, Davis and has also worked at Treasury Wine Estates, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, Beringer Vineyards and Constellation Wine Co. He served as the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium program development chair in 2015 and 2016 and as co-chair in 2019, and he is also a member of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Outreach and Technology Transfer Committee, AOAC, American Society of Mass Spectrometry, American Chemical Society and the Gold Standard Committee.

“It is an honor to serve an organization that I hold with high regard,” Collins said in the release. “I believe that the society provides an invaluable service and community for the wine and grape industry, and I anticipate a successful year ahead as we move forward after a challenging year.”

Collins will lead ASEV’s 12-member board with an executive committee that includes: R. Keith Striegler, grower outreach specialist at E. & J. Gallo Winery in California, first vice president; Michelle Moyer, viticulture extension specialist and associate professor in the department of horticulture at WSU Prosser, second vice president; and Merilark Padgett-Johnson of the natural resources department at Santa Rosa Junior College in California, secretary-treasurer. Continuing on with their board positions are: Markus Keller, Chateau Ste. Michelle distinguished professor in viticulture at the department of horticulture, WSU Prosser, ASEV science editor; and James Harbertson, associate professor of enology at the Wine Science Center, WSU Tri-Cities, technical program director. New incoming ASEV directors include Hope Goldie, director of winemaking at Darioush Winery in California and Yun Zhang, viticulturist at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Washington. 

ASEV’s membership includes approximately 1,600 professionals from wineries, vineyards and academic institutions and organizations from around the world. In 2022, the 73rd ASEV National Conference is scheduled June 19–22 in San Diego, California, and the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, co-hosted with the California Association of Winegrape Growers, is scheduled January 25-27 in Sacramento, California. For more information, visit asev.org.

—by Jonelle Mejica