Bringing Low and No-Alcohol Wines to Market: Key Considerations and Challenges

On April 16, 2025, we will host "Bringing Low and No-Alcohol Wines to Market: Key Considerations and Challenges" at the UC Davis Conference Center.

This all-day seminar explores the journey from technology to market in the development of low and no-alcohol wines. Topics include de-alcoholization technologies, insights from winemakers on implementation, the business aspects of bringing products to market, and the successes and challenges of production and marketing.

DATE AND TIME

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 9 AM - 4 PM (Registration, pastries and coffee available at 8:30 AM)

LOCATION

UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis, CA 95616

AGENDA

Times, topics, and presenters are subject to change.

8:30 AM
Registration, Coffee & Pastries

9:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction

9:05 AM
De-alcoholization Technology Overview
Ron Runnebaum, Associate Professor, Departments of Viticulture and Enology and Chemical Engineering, UC Davis 

9:30 AM 
PANEL: De-alcoholization Technologies
Moderator: David Block, Professor, Departments of Viticulture and Enology and Chemical Engineering, UC Davis 

• Bev Zero: Spinning Cone and Vacuum Distillation
  Janos Radvanyi Jr, Director of Sales
• Winesecrets: Reverse Osmosis
  Travis Smith, Director of Operations
• Rack and Riddle/Solos: Vacuum distillation and proprietary modifications
  Matt Hughes, General Manager, Solos USA; Manveer Sandhu, Executive Director of Winemaking, Rack and Riddle
• ABV Technologies: Vacuum distillation and proprietary modifications
  Ben Jordan, CEO

10:30 AM
PANEL & TASTING: Winemaker experiences and perspectives using the various de-alcoholization technologies
Moderators: Barry Gnekow, Consultant; Ben Montpetit, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis 

• Paul Scotto, Owner and Winemaker, One of One, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Christine Morrison, Director of Winemaking, Trinchero Family Estates, Luminara, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Steve Burch, Head of US Operations, Bolle Drinks, Bolle Rosé Sparkling Wine

11:20 AM
Break 

11:30 PM 
Wine Tasting

12:00 PM 
LUNCH

1:00 PM 
Route to Market Challenges

• Tracy Sweeney, Co-Founder, Tomorrow Cellars
• Patrick Cramb, Vice President of Global Marketing and DTC, WX Brands
• Rick Falkenberg, Ph.D. Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Food Safety and Process Technology Group, Inc. 

2:15 PM 
Anti-microbial and other additives to help with flavor and mouthfeel     

Anti-Microbial

• Peter Slipsager, Technical Sales Manager, Scott Labs, Velcorin

Other Additives:

• Marco Bertaccini, Regional Manager North America, Oceania, and South Africa, AEB Group
• Orrin Frederick, Business Development Manager, Enartis

3:15 PM 
Discussion

3:45 PM 
Wrap-Up

LOCATION

UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis

REGISTRATION

• General Registration (until April 2nd): $175
• Regular Registration (until April 9th): $200
• Livestream Registration (closes April 15th at 9 PM): $175
  (The livestream registration fee covers the expenses associated with hiring the livestream technology and operators.)

REGISTER

Registration closes on April 9th at 12 pm PT. After this time, in-person registrations may be permitted but cannot be guaranteed depending upon space and catering availability.

ACCOMMODATIONS

If you need a hotel room, you can reserve one at the Hyatt Place Davis. The Hyatt Place is right next door to the Conference Center.
 

CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS & SUBSTITUTIONS

• If you can no longer attend, you may substitute your registration for another attendee before April 2nd at 12 pm PT.
• If you need to cancel your registration, you may do so for any reason before April 2nd for a 100% refund and by April 9th for a 50% refund less the registration system's processing fees, which are non-refundable.
• No refunds will be made after April 9th
• If you need to cancel please email cjbamforth@ucdavis.edu.