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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Horticultural Science

Sara Spayd

SS
Dr. Sara Spayd- Viticulture Specialist Emerita

Professor Emerita

Former NC State Extension Viticulture Specialist

View CV 

Bio

Professional Experience

Year Appointment
2016 Professor Emerita, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University, Raleigh
2014-2016 Extension Viticulture Specialist/Professor (0.60 Extension/0.30 Research/0.1 Teaching) Department of Horticultural Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
2006-2014 Extension Viticulture Specialist/Professor (0.60 Extension/0.40 Research). Department of Horticultural Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. E4 Extension Food Scientist (0.57)/Food Scientist (0.43). Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Washington State University, Irrigated Agriculture Research, and Extension Center
2000-2006 Adjunct Appointment Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
1996-2000 Food Scientist (0.75)/E4 Extension Food Scientist (0.25), WSU-Prosser
1993-1996 Associate Food Scientist (0.75)/E3 Extension Food Scientist (0.25), WSU-Prosser
1986-1993 Associate Food Scientist, WSU-Prosser
1980-1986 Assistant Food Scientist, WSU-Prosser, elected to Graduate Faculty 1983
1975-1980 Graduate Research Associate, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Aided with a research program on the effects of cultural practices and harvest mechanization on raw product quality, postharvest storage life, and processed product quality of small fruits.
-1975 Spayd Fruit Farm, Currie, NC. Helped parents with family fruit farm consisting of 40 acres of muscadine grapes and 100 acres of highbush blueberries.

 

Awards and Professional Recognition

Year Appointment
2020 Distinguished Alumna Award, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
2019 Merit Award, American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Napa, CA
2019 Outstanding Book Award, American Society for Horticultural Science
2017 Member of Distinction Award for 2017, NC Winegrowers Association
2012 Member of Distinction Award for 2011, NC Winegrowers Association
2011 Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, Outside Examiner for Ph.D defense
2009 American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Best Viticulture Paper for 2008
2006 Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Industry Service Award
2005 Washington State Grape Society, Service Recognition Award
2003 American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Best Viticulture Paper for 2002
2000 Honorary Member Washington Wine Quality Alliance
2000 Visiting Scholar, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
1998 Walter Clore Award for Service to the Washington Grape Industry, Washington State Grape Society
1998 American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Technical Projects Committee Member of the Year
1994 American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Best Viticulture Paper for 1993
1982 American Society for Horticultural Science, Raw Products Research Paper Award sponsored by National Food Processors Association
1981 American Society for Horticultural Science, Southern Region, A.H. Krezdorn Award for Doctoral Research
1979 Sigma Xi, University of Arkansas Chapter, Aubrey E. Harvey Award for Graduate Research

 

Invited Presentations

  • Spayd, S. E. 1997. Impacting vine, grape and wine quality through irrigation and crop level management. Sumac Ridge Winery Growers’ Meeting. Penticton, BC February 17.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. L. Wample, D. Gore, and C. Hossum. 1998. Washington experiences with irrigation management: Impact on sensory characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc. Int’l Symposium on Practical Aspects of Grapevine Irrigation, Am. Soc. Enol. Viticult. June 22-23, Sacramento, CA.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. G. Stevens, R. L. Wample, R. G. Evans, C. G. Edwards and D. G. Webster. 1998. Impact of nitrogen fertilization on vine performance and juice and wine composition of Riesling in Washington State. Symposium on Mineral Nutrition and Grape and Wine Quality. XXV International Horticultural Congress, Brussels, Belgium, August 6.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2000.Viticultural and environmental influences on Washington grape and wine quality.  Visiting Scholar, Department of Horticulture and Department of Food Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln March 6.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2000. Overview of the Grape and Wine Industry in Washington: Regions, Practices and Resources. Visiting Scholar, Department of Horticulture and Department of Food Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln March 7.
  • Spayd, S. E. and J. M. Tarara. 2003. Sunlight and temperature effects on grape quality. Central Coast Grape Growers and Winemakers Annual Meeting, March – Santa Barbara, CA.
  • Spayd, S. E. and J. M. Tarara. 2003. Light and temperature: A balancing act. Robert Mondavi Viticulture Staff, May – Napa, CA.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2007. Temperature and fruit quality. Virginia Winegrowers. Feb. 10, Charlottesville, VA.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2007. Wine-grape cold injury assessment in post-budbreak period. Workshop: Small Fruit and Grape Crop Injury Across the U.S. from the Historic Freeze in April 2007. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci., Ann. Mtg., Scottsdale, AZ, July 16.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2008. Grapevine irrigation. Florida Grape Field Day, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL, May 21.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2008. Some aspect of fruit quality. Uncorked: Grape & Wine Industry Conference & Trade Show, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, May 27-28.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2009. Light: Can you have to much of a good thing? Keynote Speaker, Queensland Winegrowers Association, Stanthorpe, Queensland, Australia, June 17.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2010. Light: Can you have to much of a good thing? University of Kentucky Viticulture Field Day, Lexington, July 25.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2010. Vine nutrition and fruit quality. University of Kentucky Viticulture Field Day, Lexington, July 25.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2012. Current activities of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture. Eastern Section of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture. Traverse City, MI, July 18.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2012. Nitrogen nutrition during fermentation. Eastern Viticulture Workshop, Mystic, CN, Nov. 13.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2012. Nitrogen fertilization management of Riesling grapevines. Great Lakes Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec. 4.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2012. Role of light and temperature in grape growth and fruit composition. Great Lakes Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec. 4.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2013. Can You Have to Much or Too Little of a Good Thing? Midwest Wine Conference, St. Louis, MO, Feb. 8.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2013. Keynote Address: Working with a Developing Grape and Wine Industry. Cold Climate Conference for Wine and Grape Growers, St. Paul, MN, Feb. 21.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2013. Can You Have to Much or Too Little of a Good Thing? Wineries Unlimited. Richmond, VA Mar. 13.
  • Spayd, S. E., J. F. Harbertston and M. Mireles. 2013.  Red Wine Phenols in North Carolina. Advances in Red Wine Production Symposium, Am. Soc. Enol. Viticul. – Eastern Sec., Winston-Salem, NC, Jul 18.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2013. Issues in Muscadine Grape Production. University of Arkansas, Clarksville, AR Sep. 12.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2013. In the vineyard: What is vintage? Southeastern United Grape and Wine Symposium. Dobson, NC
  • Spayd, S.E. 2014.  Cold injury management in vineyards. North Georgia Grape Growers. Blairsville, GA, Mar 20.
  • Spayd, S. E.2014. Evaluating cold injury in grapevines. USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service Mission, Grape and Wine Production Seminar, Chisinau, Moldova. Jul.
  • Spayd, S. E.2014. Role of light and temperature in grape berry composition and how to manage.USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service Mission, Grape and Wine Production Seminar, Chisinau, Moldova. Jul.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2015. Coping with cold injury in the vineyard. Tennessee Farm Wineries Association Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN Feb. 27.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2015. Muscadines and pest control trends. Tennessee Farm Wineries Association Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN Feb. 28.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2017. Separating light and temperature effects. Am. Soc. Enol. Viticult. Portland, OR, June 17.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2019. It Takes Villages: Multidisciplinary Research, Extension & Education in Viticulture and Enology. Merit Award Presentation, Am. Soc. Enol. Viticult.Nat’l Conf., Napa, CA, June 18.
  • Spayd, S. E. 2020. Commencement Address, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. May 9. [Cancelled/Postponed due to COVID-19 Restrictions]
  • Spayd, S. E. 2020. Virtual Commencement Comments, Department of Food, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. May 9.

Selected Refereed Journal Articles:

  • Harbertson, J. F. and S.E. Spayd. 2006. Measuring phenolics in the winery. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 57:280-288.
  • Grove, G. G., J. Lunden, and S. Spayd. 2005. Use of petroleum derived spray oils in Washington grapevine powdery mildew management programs. Plant Health Prog.
  • Keller, M., L.J. Mills, R.L. Wample and S.E. Spayd, 2005: Cluster thinning effects on three deficit-irrigated Vitis vinifera cultivars. Am. J. Enol. Viticulture. 56:91-103.
  • Keller M., L. J. Mills, R. L. Wample and S. E. Spayd. 2004. Crop load management in Concord grapes using different pruning techniques. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 55:35-50.
  • Spayd, S. E., J. M. Tarara, D. L. Mee, and J. C. Ferguson. 2002. Separation of sunlight and temperature effects on the composition of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot berries. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 53:171-182.
  • Tarara, J. M., J. C. Ferguson, and S. E. Spayd. 2000. A chamber-free method of heating and cooling grape clusters in the vineyard. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 51:182-188.
  • Spayd, S. E. and J. Andersen-Bagge. 1996. Free amino acid composition in juice from twelve Vitis vinifera cultivars in Washington. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 47:389-402.
  • Spayd, S. E., C. W. Nagel, and C. G. Edwards. 1995. Yeast growth in Riesling juice as affected by vineyard nitrogen fertilization. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 46:49-55.
  • Folwell, R. J., D. E. Santos, S. E. Spayd, L. H. Porter, and D. S. Wells. 1994. Statistical technique for forecasting Concord grape production. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 45:63-69.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. G. Stevens, R. L. Wample, R. G. Evans, and B. J. Seymour. 1994. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes in Washington. Must and wine composition. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 45:34-42.
  • Webster, D. R., C. G. Edwards, S. E. Spayd, J. C. Peterson, and B. J. Seymour. 1993. Influence of vineyard nitrogen fertilization on concentration of monoterpenes, higher alcohols, and esters in White Riesling wines. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:275-284.
  • Evans, R. G., S. E. Spayd, R. L. Wample, M. W. Kroeger, and M. O. Mahan. 1993. Water use of Vitis vinifera grapes. Agr. Water Mngmt. 23:109-124.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. L. Wample, R. G. Stevens, R. G. Evans, and A. K. Kawakami. 1993. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes: Effects on petiole nutrient concentration yield yield components, and vegetative growth. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:378-386.
  • Wample, R. L., S. E. Spayd, R. G. Stevens, and R. G. Evans. 1993. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes in Washington. Nitrogen and seasonal effects on cold hardiness and carbohydrate reserves. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:159-167.

Refereed Publications:

  • Evans, R.G., S.E. Spayd, R.L. Wample, and M.W. Kroeger. 1990. Water require¬me¬nts of Vitis vinifera grapes. ASAE Publication 4-90 ‘Visions of the Future’ 154-161.
  • Wample, R. L., S. E. Spayd, R. G. Stevens, and R. G. Evans. 1993. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes in Washington. Nitrogen and seasonal effects on cold hardiness and carbohydrate reserves. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:159-167.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. L. Wample, R. G. Stevens, R. G. Evans, and A. K. Kawakami. 1993. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes: Effects on petiole nutrient concentration yield yield components, and vegetative growth. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:378-386.
  • Evans, R. G., S. E. Spayd, R. L. Wample, M. W. Kroeger, and M. O. Mahan. 1993. Water use of Vitis vinifera grapes. Agr. Water Mngmt. 23:109-124.
  • Webster, D. R., C. G. Edwards, S. E. Spayd, J. C. Peterson, and B. J. Seymour. 1993. Influence of vineyard nitrogen fertilization on concentration of monoterpenes, higher alcohols, and esters in White Riesling wines. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 44:275-284.
  • Spayd, S. E., R. G. Stevens, R. L. Wample, R. G. Evans, and B. J. Seymour. 1994. Nitrogen fertilization of White Riesling grapes in Washington. Must and wine composition. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 45:34-42.
  • Spayd, S. E., C. W. Nagel, and C. G. Edwards. 1995. Yeast growth in Riesling juice as affected by vineyard nitrogen fertilization. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 46:49-55.
  • Spayd, S. E. and J. Andersen-Bagge. 1996. Free amino acid composition in juice from twelve Vitis vinifera cultivars in Washington. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 47:389-402.
  • Tarara, J. M., J. C. Ferguson, and S. E. Spayd. 2000. A chamber-free method of heating and cooling grape clusters in the vineyard. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 51:182-188.
  • Spayd, S. E., J. M. Tarara, D. L. Mee, and J. C. Ferguson. 2002. Separation of sunlight and temperature effects on the composition of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot berries. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 53:171-182.
  • Harbertson, J. F. and S.E. Spayd. 2006. Measuring phenolics in the winery. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 57:280-288.
  • Tarara, J. M., J. Lee, S. E. Spayd, C. F. Scagel. 2008. Berry temperature and solar radiation alter acylation, proportion, and concentration of anthocyanins in ‘Merlot’ grapes. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 59(3):235-247.
  • Havlin, J. L., D. H. Hardy, R. J. Gehl, and S. E. Spayd. 2012. Survey of nutrient status in Vitis vinifera grapes in North Carolina. Comm. Soil Testing and Plant Anal. 43(1-2):299-314.
  • Spayd, S.E., J.F. Harbertson and M.S. Mireles. 2015. Concentrations of phenolic components in North Carolina wines. J. Food Chem. Nutr. 3(1):19-26.
  • Basinger, N.T., K.M. Jennings, D.W. Monks, W.E. Mitchem, and S.E. Spayd. 201_. Effect of herbicide strip width and late season weed competition on Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Franc, Vine growth, berry composition, and yield. Catalyst 2:15-23.

Education

Ph.D. Food Science University of Arkansas 1980

M.S. Food Science University of Arkansas 1978

B.S. Horticultural Science NC State University 1974

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