Event Date
Join us at UC Davis on April 15th for a forward-looking program exploring some of the challenges facing today’s grape and wine industries. Experts from different sectors of the business of wine will examine market trends, innovations in packaging and automation, the growing importance of tourism and agritourism, and details to think about when producing no- and low-alcohol beverages. Sessions will highlight how wineries, grapegrowers, and other industry professionals are adapting to changing consumer preferences, economic and viticultural pressures, and technological advancements.
This program offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals to gain insight into some of the forces shaping the future of wine and to explore strategies for navigating an evolving marketplace.
DATE AND TIME
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 8:45 AM - 4 PM
LOCATION
UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis, CA 95616
REGISTRATION
General Registration: $175
Registration closes on April 10th at 5 pm PT. After this time, late or in-person registrations may be available but cannot be guaranteed depending upon space and catering availability. Please reach out to Caroline Bamforth to confirm availability.
AGENDA
8:15 AM
Registration, Coffee & Pastries
8:45 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
Karen L. Block, Director of Industry Relations, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
Ben Montpetit, Chair & Professor, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
What to Consider When Producing No- and Low-Alcohol Beverages
9:00 AM
NoLo wine production: Current technology and critical gaps in knowledge
David Block, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Viticulture & Enology and Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
9:25 AM
Rethinking NoLo: How taste, individual differences, barriers, and regulation shape the category
Ha Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Department of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis
9:50 AM
Thinking Like a Brewer in No/Low Wine: A Multifaceted Toolkit for Yeast, Flavor, and Balance
Scott Lafontaine, Assistant Professor of Food Chemistry and Co-Director, University of Arkansas Center for Beverage Innovation
10:15 AM
Jumping from Wine to the World of Non-Alcohol
Aaron Fishleder, President/Co-Founder, Glasswell Beverage Company
10:40 AM
BREAK
Wine Market, Viticulture and Winemaking Trends
10:50 AM
Selling Wine in Interesting Times, Historic Change in the US Wine Market
Andrew Adams, Editor, WineBusiness Analytics
11:15 AM
Current State and Future Trends in the Australian Wine Sector
Tony Robinson, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, AWRI
11:40 AM
Agro-enology: Be Here Now
Michael Silacci, Winemaker, Opus One
12:05 PM
Farming for the Future
Nathalie Buckland, Vineyard Operations & Viticulture Director, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
12:30 PM
LUNCH
New Bottling and Packaging Technologies
1:15 PM
Innovating the Bottle
Nicole Leahu Migliardi, CEO/CFO, APS Packaging and Automation
Jim Crews, Senior Field Service Engineer, MBF North America
Andy Strasser, Manager, Bottling Engineering & Operations, Hess Persson Estates
2:15 PM
BREAK
Tourism and Agrotourism
2:25 PM
Rethinking Wine Tourism
Beatriz Machado, Marketing & Tourism Director, Niepoort
2:50 PM
The New Era of Wine Tourism: Meeting Consumers Where They Are
Alexis Traverso, Director of Digital Marketing, Far Niente
Joe Wilson, Estate Director, Bella Union Winery, Far Niente
3:15 PM
Beyond the Tasting Room: Integrating Farm Experiences into Wine Tourism
Sarah Cahn Bennett, Owner & Winemaker, Pennyroyal Farm
3:40 PM
Discussion and Closing Remarks
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
- If you can no longer attend, you may substitute your registration for another attendee at any time.
- If you need to cancel your registration, you may do so for any reason before April 10th for a 75% refund less the registration system's processing fees, which are non-refundable.
- No refunds will be made after April 10th
- If you need to cancel please email [email protected].