WiVi announces lineup of educational sessions, speakers
Schedule set for the March 15-16 Central Coast Wine & Viticulture Conference and Tradeshow
The scene at the 2014 WiVi Central Coast. Photo by Paul Shannon.
– WiVi Central Coast has finalized the lineup of educational sessions, speakers and tastings for the March 15-16 conference at the Paso Robles Event Center. The two-day event, which is in its fifth year, is dedicated to winemakers, winegrape growers and marketing professionals in the Central Coast and features concurrent sessions with three business areas of focus – enology, viticulture and direct-to-consumer wine sales. WiVi is presented by Wine Business Monthly.
“WiVi is all about the Central Coast wine industry,” said Eric Jorgensen, owner and president of Wine Business Monthly. “We find that by focusing the educational and tasting seminars specifically on this region, we get local wineries and wine professionals engaged and excited to attend.”
The two days of sessions are highlighted with Central Coast winemakers, key industry leaders and Wine Business Monthly editors. The viticulture sessions will look at 2015 and its effects – grape area trends, 2015 year in review and an El Niño update provided by PG&E meteorologist John Lindsey. Additional topics include: harvest timing methods, red blotch and pest management.
Enology sessions will take a close look at red blotch, harvest timing methods, fermentation with native vs. commercial yeast strains and comparing fermentation vessels, with a tasting led by Halter Ranch winemaker Kevin Sass. Direct-to-consumer sessions will showcase panels on wine and cheese pairing, choosing the right winery software, why wine club members stay or go, online marketing strategies and elevating the tasting room experience.
This year’s varietal focus tasting will highlight Cabernet Franc and feature winemakers from El Dorado, Napa and the Central Coast along with nine different wines. Led by wine critic and author Lance Cutler, the varietal focus tasting takes an in-depth look at the varietal through the eyes of a winemaker.
“We are excited about this year’s WiVi line-up,” said Cyril Penn, Editor-in-Chief of Wine Business Monthly. “Each year we try to put together a show that Central Coast winemakers can attend and get something out of and this year’s sessions won’t disappoint.”
Back at this year’s event are the Winemaker Trials Tastings. During the tradeshow on March 16, selected winemakers will be pouring sample wines from winemaking trials they’ve been working on, offering the trade a glimpse into innovative and unique experiments. This year’s trials are presented by: Ampelos, Daou, Halter Ranch, Dierberg, Hahn Estate, Wild Horse and Wrath.
WiVi brings together more nearly 200 wine industry suppliers to network with members of the wine community from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The one-day trade show, March 16, is the largest selection of wine and viticulture vendors on California’s Central Coast and will feature the Vineyard Automation Center, which will showcase new and innovative vineyard equipment.
For more information about WiVi Central Coast 2016 and to register for the trade show and educational sessions, visit www.wivicentralcoast.com.
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