The grape breeding program is designed to augment the economic growth of the New York grape industry. Reisch attributes success in his program to the professionalism of the Station's technical support staff as well as to the high quality of the cooperation from Experiment Station colleagues in related fields. Reisch's research program focuses on the genetic improvement of grapevines by both traditional and novel techniques. Using traditional techniques, he works to breed wine grapes for characteristics like disease resistance, cold hardiness, high yield and high wine quality. Table grapes are bred for flavor, cold hardiness, seedlessness, storage potential and berry and cluster size.
Insect resistance is also a priority in the development of new germplasm.
Reisch is putting these maps to use in the development of new cultivars, while also using genetic engineering techniques to raise the level of disease resistance in important cultivars like Concord and Chardonnay. Two new varieties, Traminette and Marquis, a wine and table grape respectively, are being introduced this spring. Reisch grew up in New York City and Long Island. He received his B.S. from Cornell in 1976, and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, in Plant Breeding and Genetics, in 1980. He has been at the Experiment Station ever since.