Expertise
- Viticulture
- Small Fruit
- Enology
- Fruit Breeding
- WMREC
Dr. Fiola is the Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit for the University of Maryland Extension following being in a similar position at Rutgers from 1988-2001. He has over 40 years of academic and industry experience in research and extension in viticulture, and enology, and small fruit production and breeding,
He holds 12 patents for developing new bramble and strawberry varieties and has done considerable research into new production systems and season extension.
In his current position he conducts a statewide viticulture and fruit extension program to support the growing Maryland grape/wine industry. He has a comprehensive website, distributes “Timely Viticulture”, a topic-based, bulleted, newsletter, has published a workbook on Sustainable Viticulture, and always emphasizes practices to maximize fruit and wine quality.
His viticulture and enology R&E program concentrates on cultivar testing, including clonal comparisons, new and imported varieties, as well as cultural practices. He conducts small batch winemaking of the cultivars and the experimental treatments, and considers the wine his "data." He coordinates and judges in multiple annual wine competitions.
He has received multiple awards for service from professional associations and the commercial grape and wine industry, including the American Wine Society Outstanding Member Award (2021), The Monteith Bowl Trophy (2019), presented by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association to recognize individuals or organizations that have performed exceptional contributions to the development and sustainability of the American wine industry, and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture Distinguished Service Award (2018).
Dr. Fiola is a member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture and the American Wine Society.
