Last updated on March 20, 2009

Date: Wednesday, June 24
Time of seminars: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Salons II – X, The Meritage Resort at Napa

These seminars are designed to emphasize useful, practical, hands-on knowledge of the general topic category with specific product focus. The speakers panels will integrate industry and/or academia with supplier expertise.

Speakers will be added as confirmed.

Cellar Sanitation

The most current sanitation practices in the industry will be presented, with the introduction of new technologies. One of the hot topics is chlorine dioxide. Industry and supplier speakers will provide from different points of view these new technologies and their experiences in real applications.
Chair Alicia Ysais, Delicato Family Vineyards, California
Suppliers Alonzo Cabell, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, California
Andrew Yap, Cavitus Pty Ltd, Australia
Industry Humberto Berlanga, Geyser Peak Winery, California
Alfonso Ramirez, Lange Twins Winery, California

Emerging Processes

In our global marketplace, we all work to craft great wines at great values. Are you aware of the latest process technologies being utilized to compete in this marketplace? These four presentations will focus on new processes that could improve your wine and/or lower your costs.This team of speakers will address technologies designed to:

  • increase a wine’s mid-palate character
  • increase extraction in red wine fermentations
  • increase throughput of fermentation tanks
  • decrease expenditures for tartaric acid
  • decrease electricity costs of wine/juice stabilization
  • address grapes expressing smoke taint
    (What can we learn from California and Australia to be prepared for smoke taint?)

Each speaker’s topic is independent of one another and new to our industry. Come to learn more about these evolving technologies and their role in your winemaking practices.
Chair David Warter, E&J Gallo, California
Suppliers George Cortessis, Process Engineers Inc, California
Eric Dahlberg, American Winesecrets, California
Industry Claudio Basei, Cacciatore Fine Wines & Olive Oil, California
Jeff Cichocki, Fetzer Vineyards, California

Oak Alternatives I

The use of oak alternatives has increased in recent years across the wine industry. The proficiency of their application and understanding the results are ongoing topics. We have a balanced combination of supplier and industry speakers who will share and discuss their products and experiences. Even though the general consumers and many winemakers may not regard oak alternatives as preferable products, you may be surprised by what the teams have to share. It is important to emphasize that the quality of the different products and mastering their use are the keys to success.
Chair Leticia Chacón-Rodriguez, Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, California
Suppliers Doug Manning, Beverage Supply Group, California
Jeff McCord, Stavin, California
Industry Barry Gnekow, Gnekow Family Winery, California

Sprayers in the Vineyard
(on-site in Foster’s Big Ranch Road Vineyard)

This entire seminar will take place in the vineyard. Registrants can pick up their badge at the Marriott or Meritage hotels during registration hours as posted. The seminar will offer a review of the operating principles of various sprayers. Sprayer demonstrations will be at the Fosters’ Wine Estates Big Ranch Road vineyard on the north side of Napa. A grower panel will discuss their experiences with these types of sprayers. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Chair Thomas Collins, Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, California
Suppliers Gary Soares, On-Target Spray, California
Myron Strong, Gearmore Inc, California
Industry Drew Johnson, Foster’s Wine Estates, California