A simple method for the quantitative extraction of resveratrol and its glycosides from grape berry skins has been developed. Optimal conditions for the extraction were investigated. Type of solvent, time, and temperature assayed influenced resveratrol and piceid yield. Adequate extraction was attained with ethanol/water (80:20 v/v) maintained at 60 degrees C for 30 min. Recovery (>96%) and reproducibility (6.83-15.13%) were satisfactory. After extraction, resveratrol and piceid isomers were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a ultraviolet-visible diode array detector. The amounts detected in 13 samples of 7 different varieties analyzed were, on average, 92.33 microg/g of dry skin for cis-piceid, 42.19 microg/g of dry skin for trans-piceid, and 24.06 microg/g of dry skin for trans-resveratrol. cis-Resveratrol was not detected in any sample. In grape berries infected by powdery mildew the contentw of these compounds were considerably increased and the degree of infection was positively related to their stilbene content.