The Winkler Vine was an example of large-vine grape culture. The vine was named after Albert J. Winkler, Chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology (1935–1957) at University of California, Davis. Planted in 1979, the Winkler vine was a Vitis vinifera cv. Mission, grafted on to a Vitis rupestris St George rootstock. A great deal of research has been carried out on pruning, training and vine size; by researchers such as: Ravaz, Winkler, Shaulis, Koblet, Howell, Carbonneau, Smart & Clingeleffer. Minimal pruning is a pruning/training system adapted from the principles of big-vine theory.