Alexander Levin

Photo: Stephen Ward

SOREC Director and Viticulturist

Hablo español (I speak Spanish)

Говорит по русски (speaks Russian)

541-772-5165

[email protected]

Expertise: Wine Grapes , Irrigation

Locations: Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center

Links: Faculty Page , Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center , Department of Horticulture , Oregon Wine Research Institute , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook

About
Content
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Biography

Alexander (Alec) Levin is the Viticulturist at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) and Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. He is also a core faculty member of the Oregon Wine Research Institute, and serves as the chair of the Grape Genetics, Physiology and Management working group in the International Society for Horticultural Science.

Dr. Levin completed his Ph.D. in Horticulture and Agronomy at UC-Davis investigating physiological differences in drought responses among several red wine grape cultivars. Since 2016, he has led the Southern Oregon viticulture research and extension program at SOREC, located in the heart of the Rogue Valley near Medford, OR. He conducts applied viticultural research focused in the fields of grapevine water relations and ecophysiology, and vineyard irrigation management. His research goals are to develop and optimize sustainable vineyard management practices tailored to production goals.

Content by Alexander Levin

Pinot leaf curl disorder

Pinot leaf curl is a physiological disorder of wine grapes marked by characteristic foliar symptoms early in the season. It may be associated with prolonged cool temperatures and disruption of typical nitrogen metabolism in developing shoots.

Cody Copp, Alexander Levin | Jan 2023 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Resources for vineyard frost protection

Spring frosts around budbreak are a concern for buds and emerging shoots in grape-growing regions across the state. This article summarizes the main factors related to frost risk and protection.

Alexander Levin, Cody Copp, Patricia A. Skinkis | Jan 2023 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Managing grapevines during a heat spike

Oregon grape growers face challenges as the frequency and severity of extreme heat events increase due to climate change. Here's how grape growers can protect their crops during a heat wave.

Cody Copp, Alexander Levin | May 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Testing and Tracking the Spread of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus in Oregon Vineyards

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRVB) is one of about 80 viruses infecting wine grapes worldwide. It may affect fruit ripening and thus impact the quality of finished wines. GRBV incidence increased from two to 10 times annually ...

Alexander Levin, Vaughn Walton, Linda Brewer | Jan 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

How to monitor the water needs of grapevines with and without irrigation

In most years, vineyards in Oregon start the season with a full soil water profile. As the season progresses, the soil dries out. Here's how to gauge a vineyard's water needs and methods for meeting them.

Alexander Levin | Oct 2018 | Article

Scheduling Irrigation with a Pressure Chamber Part 2

Step by step instruction on how to use a pressure chamber as a tool to help you schedule irrigation in wine grape vineyards. Dr. Alexander Levin walks through the steps of using a pressure chamber to measure leaf water potential and stem water potential. Part 2 of 2 http://owri.oregonstate.edu

Alexander Levin | Jul 2018 | Video