“Wine Business Monthly” has named Professor Gregory V. Jones, director of wine education at Linfield College, as one of its 48 Top Wine Industry Leaders for 2017. 

The magazine, which bills itself as the industry’s leading publication for wineries and growers, cited Jones’ research in climatology “with an interest in climate change and its effects on growing wine grapes.” It went on to laud Jones’ “hundreds of international, national and regional presentations on climate and wine-related research.” 

“It is an honor to be recognized by ‘Wine Business Monthly’ and to be mentioned in the same company as many of the wine industry’s pioneers and visionaries,” Jones said. “I am fortunate to work with such a great industry and feel privileged to be able to share my passion for research and education.” 

Jones, who joined Linfield College in August, studies in particular the effect climate changes have on vine growth, fruit production and the resulting wine quality. He was a contributing author to the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize-winning “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report,” as well as the author of many book chapters, reports and articles on wine economics, climate change and climatological assessments of viticultural potential.  

“It’s gratifying to see that national media are recognizing the talent and accomplishments of Greg Jones,” said Linfield President Thomas L. Hellie. “I am proud that he heads Linfield’s wine education program.” 

Linfield is the first college in the country to offer an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree in wine studies. It currently offers a wine studies minor that can be paired with a wide selection of majors, and is in the process of developing a wine and sustainable systems major. Benefitting from its location in the heart of Oregon’s vineyard country, Linfield also offers wine management and wine marketing certificates online, provides a summer wine-industry immersion program and hosts one of the world’s premier wine events—the International Pinot Noir Celebration—each summer. 

The full article can be read in this month’s “Wine Business Monthly” or online https://www.winebusiness.com/leaders/2017/.