Christopher C. Chen

Christopher C Chen

Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor

Ph.D. Horticulture and Agronomy
Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis. 2021
M.S. Horticulture and Agronomy
Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis. 2018
B.A. Economics, University of California Davis. 2016
B.S. Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry, University of California Davis. 2016
Vineyard management and stress tolerance

Christopher Chen is the UCCE Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor for the North Coast region of California. His work through the North Coast Viticulture program focuses on Climate-Adaptive viticulture practices to help address the concerns related to climate change in vineyards and brings actionable research to the grape growing communities of Northern California. Chris received his doctorate from University of California Davis, focusing on climate centric research in grapevines.

Peer reviewed

  • Sharma, Sadikshya; Cochetel, Noe; Munoz Jr, Jose R; Banayad, Hollywood; Lupo, Yaniv; Nunez, Veronica; Gaspar, Ana; Chen, Christopher; Bhattarai, Krishna; Gaut, Brandon S; Cantu, Dario; Diaz-Garcia, Luis (2025). The Genetic Basis of Chloride Exclusion in Grapevines. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics.
  • Chen, Christopher (2023). Don’t Be Salty: How Irrigation, Soil Health and Climate Affect Vineyard Salinity. Wine Business Monthly. Neel, Don. 62-65. 11.
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Heatwave Damage in Vineyards. Wine Business Monthly. Don, Neel. 38-43. 07.
  • Valenzuela, Francisco; Reineke, Daniela; Leventini, Dante; Chen, Christopher; Barrett-Lennard, Ed; Colmer, Tim; Dodd, Ian; Shabala, Sergey; Brown, Patrick; Bazihizina, Nadia (2022). Plant responses to heterogeneous salinity: agronomic relevance and research priorities. Annals of Botany. Oxford University Press. February 16. https://academic.oup.com/aob/advance-article/doi/10.1093/aob/mcac022/6529474?login=false
  • Martínez-Lüscher, J.; Chen, C. C. L.; Brillante, L.; & Kurtural, S. K. (2020). Mitigating Heat Wave and Exposure Damage to 'Cabernet Sauvignon' Wine Grape with Partial Shading Under Two Irrigation Amounts. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11, 1760.
  • Martínez-Lüscher, J.; Chen, C. C. L.; Brillante, L.; & Kurtural, S. K. (2017). Partial Solar Radiation Exclusion with Color Shade Nets Reduces the Degradation of Organic Acids and Flavonoids of Grape Berry (Vitis vinifera L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 65:49, 10693-10702.

Non-peer reviewed

  • Chen, Christopher (2025). Best Practices for Pest and Disease
    Prevention in Winegrape Vineyards.     Practical Winery & Vineyard Journal. Neel, Don. Wine Business Monthly. August. https://www.winebusiness.com/content/articles/wbm/202509/wbm_2025-09-01_article_38-1.pdf
  • Chen, Christopher (2025). Mothballing: Considerations When Taking Vineyards Out of Production. National Grape Research Alliance. Brown, Donnell. Online, National Grape Research Alliance. August 22. https://graperesearch.org/2025/08/22/mothballing-considerations-when-taking-vineyards-out-of-production/
  • Chen, Christopher; Solberg, Greg; Bailey, John (2025). Smoke Risk to Vineyards from Prescribed Burns in California. Grape and Wine Magazine. Chalstrom, Taylor. Grape & Wine Magazine. October 11. https://grapeandwinemag.com/2025/10/11/smoke-risk-to-vineyards-from-prescribed-burns-in-california/
  • Chen, Christopher (2025). UC researchers study smoke risk to vineyards from prescribed grassland fires. Online, UC ANR. March 27. https://ucanr.edu/blog/green-blog/article/uc-researchers-study-smoke-risk-vineyards-prescribed-grassland-fires
  • Chen, Christopher (2024). Technical Report: Summary – Vineyards Soil Test Results – Taylor Fire. Mendocino County Dept. of Public Health. 1-18.
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Grapevines an Introduction. YouTube. Feb 18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am5u7W9ppO4
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Grapevines FAQ. Online. February 22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbxqoFAl8ek&t=4s
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Pruning Grapevines. Online. March 01. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaPva0XsVyU
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Salinity and Grapevines. February 15. https://ucanr.edu/sites/ChenLab/files/363557.pdf
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Selected Plant and Soil Laboratories in Northern and Central California. UC ANR. February. https://ucanr.edu/sites/plant_soil_labs_NCal/
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Vineyard Establishment - UC ANR. February 28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0LyPXFy2Ss
  • Chen, Christopher (2022). Wine Without Water. strategies for farming grapes in California’s drought. UC ANR. January. https://ucanr.edu/sites/ChenLab/files/363556.pdf