Lucia G. Varela presented 2011 Viticulture Award of Excellence                                  

June 6, 2011, Santa Rosa, Calif. – Lucia Varela PhD, U.C. Cooperative Extension Integrated Pest Management Advisor for the California North Coast received the 2011 Viticulture Award of Excellence from the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC) at the group’s annual barbecue on June 3. SCWC annually presents the Viticulture Award of Excellence to recognize individuals or families who have made significant contributions to SCWC, to Sonoma County viticulture, and the greater wine and local communities.

At UC Cooperative Extension for the past 20 years, Varela has been responsible for developing pest management programs for pome fruits (pears and apples) and winegrapes. The Cooperative Extension is part of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources or ANR that is a statewide network of University of California researchers and educators dedicated to the creation, development and application of knowledge in agricultural, natural and human resources.

She became interested in insects while becoming a beekeeper in her family’s farm in her native Uruguay. Varela earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from University of California Los Angeles and doctorate in Entomology (study of bugs) from University of California Berkeley.

Varela, 58, is very interested and involved in the Sonoma County grape grower community. She has participated on the Sustainable Practices Committee of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association/Winegrape Commission since 2000. The committee has developed the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Grower Appellation Meetings and the Employee Development Program for vineyard employees. Her input continues to help guide those programs. In addition Varela has been a regular teacher of pest and predator identification and IPM practices in the Employee Development Program and has shared her research results at numerous grower events in the county.

            In 1998-1999, Varela was a Fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“It’s truly an honor to receive this award recognizing my work and our team at UC Cooperative Exension,” says Varela. “I love working with the farmers in Sonoma County and providing sustainable solutions to their pest problems.”

The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.

Editors Note: A downloadable photo of the Varela is available at www.sonomawinegrape.org/photo/lucia-varela

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Contact: Larry Levine                                                                                                   larry.levine@sonomawinegrape.org                                                                            707-522-5863