We partner with academic researchers, wineries, and industry to answer questions in wine flavor chemistry. Whether you're exploring a joint research program, need analytical testing, or have a specific question about your fruit or wine, here's how we work together.
What We Bring
Our analytical capabilities and research expertise, at a glance.
See our capabilities and expertise
Capabilities
GC-MS/MS for volatile compound analysis
LC-MS/MS for nonvolatile metabolites and precursors
High-resolution mass spectrometry for structural elucidation
Untargeted metabolomics for discovery and profiling
Quantitative method development and validation
Research Expertise
Identification of unknown flavor compounds
Quantitation of targeted volatiles and precursors
Climate and environmental impacts on flavor chemistry
Fermentation chemistry and microbial metabolites
Vineyard treatment effects on chemical composition
Chemical transformations during processing and aging
Current Focus Areas
Our collaborative work currently centers on four areas. Expand any card for the specific questions we're pursuing.
Climate and Environmental Impacts
How climate and environmental stressors reshape wine flavor chemistry.
Details
Develop validated analytical methods to quantify known and unknown smoke markers in grapes and wine
Evaluate the efficacy of barrier spray treatment to mitigate smoke taints in grapes and wine
Viticultural and Enological Effects
How production practices, storage, and aging shape flavor over time.
Details
Quantify temporal changes in volatile composition during post-harvest storage and processing to optimize aroma expression
Define sulfur metabolite dynamics during oxidative and reductive aging to establish quality markers for wine aging
Regional and Varietal Characterization
Mapping chemical signatures that define regional and varietal identity.
Details
Establish regional volatile signatures and terroir-specific metabolite markers for varietal characterization
Ways to Collaborate
Four ways to work with the lab, depending on your goals.
Academic Research Collaboration
We establish collaborative research programs linking flavor chemistry to viticulture, enology, sensory science, microbiology, and climate science, including joint grant development and co-mentorship of graduate students and postdocs.
Industry Partnerships
We develop research partnerships addressing production-relevant questions: vineyard fruit quality, fermentation optimization, smoke exposure quantification, and matrix-specific method validation.
Contract Research Services
Fee-for-service analytical testing, available on a limited basis contingent on laboratory capacity and alignment with training objectives.
Services offered
Unknown compound identification in grape and wine samples
Quantitative analysis of targeted flavor compounds
Method development for specific analytes
Comprehensive metabolomic profiling
Analysis of samples from vineyard or winemaking trials
Grower and Winemaker Consultation
Consultations address specific questions linking viticultural practices, harvest maturity, fermentation management, and aging protocols to wine flavor chemistry and sensory quality.
How to Get Started
The first step is the same either way: a short email to Dr. Chen.
For Academic Researchers
1
Contact Dr. Chen with a brief description of your research question and how we could contribute.
2
Include relevant background on your project and a proposed timeline.
For Industry Partners
1
Contact Dr. Chen with a brief description of the question or problem you want to address.
2
Share relevant background (variety, production methods, specific concerns) and your timeline.
3
Let us know whether this is a research collaboration or a contract service request.
We will respond to discuss feasibility, scope, timeline, and costs (if applicable).
Conflict of interest disclosure: UC Davis faculty comply with institutional conflict of interest policies and federal disclosure requirements. Financial interests, consulting relationships, advisory board positions, and other potential conflicts are disclosed through university review processes and managed according to approved management plans prior to project initiation. Industry collaborations requiring significant financial relationships are formalized through UC Davis sponsored research agreements.