2018 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium to Focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Regulatory Changes, Changing AVAs and Disaster Preparedness

SACRAMENTO, CA, October 18, 2017 – The wine industry faced unprecedented challenges in 2017, ranging from the drought to the heavy downpour of rain and recently, raging wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, Napa and Sonoma.  The upcoming Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on January 23-25, 2018, will bring together every sector of the industry from around the world to hear about the best practices, emerging trends, innovative products and more importantly, discussions around issues affecting the industry today to better plan for the future. Registration and housing for the annual event at the Sacramento Convention Center will open on Tuesday, October 24 at 9 a.m. PDT.

 

“The Unified Symposium will be the ideal gathering for discussing and planning for the future of our industry after such a devastating year,” says Lise Asimont of Francis Ford Coppola Presents and Unified Symposium Program Chair. “The program committee has put together a robust and comprehensive program to ensure those attending will leave the show better prepared to make impactful business decisions.”

 

The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, the premier industry gathering, provides the best opportunity to find the latest innovation and business trends. This year’s show will focus on Cabernet Sauvignon to give attendees a glimpse of the winemaking process, from vineyard practices to winemaking, and a chance to sample Cabernet Sauvignon wines at different price points. The Spanish-language general session will mirror this tasting session but will also look at the consumer preferences and vineyard practices based on the appellation/region.

 

Breakout sessions will include discussions on California and Washington D.C.’s regulatory changes; how AVA on a label can impact a brand and/or product; and disaster preparedness. Grapegrowers can also learn more about new mechanization techniques, powdery mildew resistance; and in Spanish, H2-A programs and the aromatic potential in White varieties. Winemaking sessions will look at wine aromas, red wine color and FSMA a year after implementation.

 

The Unified Symposium will open on Tuesday, January 23, with the keynote luncheon featuring Gina Gallo of E&J Gallo and a joint grapegrowing and winetasting session on Cabernet Sauvignon on all price points. Wednesday will feature the popular State of the Industry moderated by The Wine Economist’s Mike Veseth. The Unified Symposium week is set to offer a comprehensive program, including well-rounded Spanish-language sessions, exhibit tours and the largest tradeshow in the Western Hemisphere hosting over 650 vendors in display and pouring wines from multiple regions around the U.S.

 

To hear more about the 2018 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium program, go to the speaker interviews at the Unified Symposium website.

 

Built with the joint input of growers, vintners and allied industry members, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is co-presented by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and the California Association for Winegrape Growers and serves as a clearinghouse of information important to wine and grape industry professionals.  Established in 1995, the Unified Symposium hosts the industry’s largest trade show of its kind, with over 650 vendors displaying their products and services.  For additional information, go to www.unifiedsymposium.org.
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