Speakers, Panels & Tastings Oh My!

Day 1 - Featured Speakers

Mary Beth Williams, Esq. founder of Williams Compliance and Consulting. Williams Compliance is based in Virginia, and is the only beverage compliance company focusing exclusively on the East Coast. Widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on beverage compliance, founder Mary Beth Williams designed Williams Compliance to be a nimble, knowledge-based company. She also has her own vineyard on Green Acres. For more information, please visit www.williamscompliance.com

"Show me the Money" Learn How to Make Money at All Angles 

Jerry McGuire said it best!! Hear from wineries who will give examples of events and
practices that build a customer base and a bottom line.

• Rik Obiso, Whitebarrel Winery: Third party branding
• Dave Kostelnik, Early Mountain Vineyards & Kate Spinello, First Colony Winery, Jennifer Breaux, Breaux Vineyards: Elevated & Unique Experiences 
• Kirsty Harmon, Blenheim Vineyards, Jennifer Breaux, Breaux Vineyards: Unique Wine Club Pick Up 

Day 2 - Featured Speakers 

Factors Affecting Franc, led by  Dr. Joy Ting, Winemakers Research Exchange 

The impact of winemaking decisions on Cabernet Franc wines. Using three WRE experiments from 2017, we will discuss; 1) the impact of yeast strains on aroma, color and mouthfeel in Cabernet Franc with Tim Gorman of Cardinal Point; 2) the effect of winemaking style in Cabernet Franc with Maya Hood White, Early Mountain Vineyards, Michael Heny speaking about Horton Vineyards and Emily Pelton, Veritas Vineyards; and 3)  Assessing effects of cold soak and extended maceration in Petit Verdot with Lee Hartman, Bluestone Vineyards.

Tech Talk - Dr. James Harberston, Washington State University 

Dr. Harbertson is the winner of the American Society  of Enology and Viticulture  2018 Enology Paper of the Year for Impact of  Grape Maturity and Ethanol  Concentration on Sensory Properties of Washington State Merlot Wines

We have investigated the impact of grape ripening and ethanol concentration on wine composition and sensory aspects. Principally we have done so to evaluate the development of phenolics during ripening however we have also discovered the ethanol manipulation plays an important role on sensory aspects of wine. 

The second topic will deal with how vineyard changes impact tannin development and is it better to work in the vineyard for tannin development compared to manipulating it thru additions and such in the winery.

Petit Manseng Panel & Tasting 

An extensive discussion on Petit Manseng and its role in Virginia Wine will be moderated by Frank Morgan. Taste 5 different Virginia Petit Manseng from dry to sweet.  Listen to the winemakers discuss what they look for in growing this grape and how they make the wine they do.  Along with discussing the wines we will get into marketing strategies for PM and look at how PM has been received in the tasting room and throughout distribution.  Included in this discussion will be staff involved with sales for these wineries along with sommeliers, wine store owners and distributors.  

• Frank Morgan, Moderator 
• Ben Jordan, Early Mountain Vineyards
• Patrick Eagan, Early Mountain Vineyards 
• Luke Kilyk, Granite Heights Winery
• Rachel Vrooman, Stinson Vineyards
• Corry Craighill, Sunset Hills Winery
• Michael Kimball, Williamsburg Winery
• Jordan Harris, Tarara Winery
• Booth Hardy, Barrel Thief
• Robert Jones, Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd. 
• Erin Scala, Sommelier