J. Lohr Winemaker Kristen Barnhisel Returns as ASEV President for 2026-2027

Barnhisel previously served as ASEV president in 2019-2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Society's conferences and member programming online midway through her term. She returns to the role as ASEV moves into a period of expanded in-person programming, including preparations for the 2027 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, which ASEV co-hosts with the California Association for Winegrape Growers (CAWG).

"I look forward to building on the momentum from this past year's National Conference and continuing to strengthen the connections between research and practice that make ASEV valuable to our members," says Barnhisel. "ASEV's mission to advance enology and viticulture research depends on engagement from across our industry. I'd encourage growers, winemakers and industry partners who aren't yet involved to get connected, whether through membership, volunteering or simply showing up at our conferences. The strength of this Society comes from the people who show up for it, and there's room for more of us at the table."

Barnhisel brings more than two decades of viticulture and winemaking experience on three continents — Italy, South Africa and the United States — to her role as Winemaker, White Wine at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, where she has guided the winery’s white wine portfolio since 2015. She has been an ASEV member since 2005 and has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles, including chair of the scholarship and Best Student Presentation Award committees, member of the membership committee and Industry Seminars organizing committee, and co-organizer of the ASEV Annual Meeting Fun Run.

Barnhisel will be joined by a leadership team representing universities and wineries across North America. Federico Casassa, associate professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, moves into the role of first vice president, and Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez, of the University of California, Davis, becomes second vice president. Lise Asimont of Dot Wines, LLC continues as secretary-treasurer; Markus Keller of Washington State University, Prosser, continues as science editor; and Hans Walter-Peterson of Cornell University continues as technical program director.

Joining them on the board are directors Alec Levin, Oregon State University, Central Point; Caroline Merrell, Jackson Family Wines; Robert Coleman, Treasury Wine Estates; Aude Watrelot, Iowa State University; and Elizabeth Tomasino, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Cain Hickey of The Pennsylvania State University joins the board as a new director.

Formed in 1950 as a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production, ASEV's membership includes professionals from wineries, vineyards and academic institutions and organizations from around the world. In addition to publishing the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (AJEV), the Society also hosts its National Conference. ASEV co-hosts the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium with the CAWG. For more information, visit www.asev.org. Additionally, ASEV awards scholarships to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or in a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry. ASEV recently formed the ASEV Foundation to help foster the next generation of leaders in the field. For more information, visit www.asevfoundation.org.