NEW YORK, N.Y. (March, 2018) – D.O.P. Cariñena will join forces with 50 VIP winemakers, sommeliers, retailers and media partners to host the first Global Garnacha Summit at The CIA at Copia in Napa, Calif. Scheduled for April 24, 2018, the one-day exploration of Garnacha/Grenache will include educational seminars, tastings, networking and an interactive blind tasting led by the SommFoundation.
“Garnacha/Grenache has exploded onto the world scene and is outpacing growth and new plantings by other grape varieties at record levels,” says Bob Bath, MS, and Professor of Wine and Beverage Studies at The Culinary Institute of America. “An amazing number of world wine leaders and regions are pushing the limits of this historic grape, and we’re thrilled to explore its origins and possibilities from Spain to southern France, Australia, California and beyond.”
Confirmed presenters at the Global Garnacha Summit span the wine world, including Spain’s Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, wine writer for Decanter Magazine and Australian educator Ewan Proctor of Penfolds. Winemakers Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard, Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard and Angela Osborne of Grace Wine Company lead the ranks of California participants. Bob Bath (MS), head of wine and beverage studies at The Culinary Institute of America and Peter Granoff, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, will moderate the seminars. The SOMM Journal is the exclusive media partner for the event.
D.O.P. Cariñena, the official event sponsor and the historic birthplace of Garnacha, will send rare selections from some of the oldest vineyards in Spain to showcase the grape’s origins. “We are deeply honored to be the presenting sponsor of the first Global Garnacha Summit at The CIA at Copia,” says Ignacio Casamitjana, President of D.O.P. Cariñena. “Over one-third of our production in the Cariñena region is dedicated to Garnacha and we feel a deep-rooted responsibility to make this first summit a success and ensure that it continues on an ongoing basis in the future. It’s worth noting that we’re equally invested in Cariñena, another globally inspiring variety that is the namesake of our region. We’re helping to raise the profiles of both of our native grapes – Garnacha and Cariñena – and look forward to continually expanding the summit with other winemaking regions around the world that share our commitment to excellence.”
Registration is limited to wine trade and media, as space allows. For more information about the 2018 Global Garnacha Summit please visit: www.globalgarnachasummit.com.
EVENT DETAILS | The CIA at Copia Napa | April 24, 2018
On April 24, 2018, winemakers and advocates of the Garnacha (Grenache) grape worldwide will converge at The CIA at Copia in Napa to celebrate this increasingly popular grape variety. Hosted by D.O.P Cariñena, the birthplace of Garnacha and home to the most old vine plantings of its kind in Spain, the summit will address everything we need to know about the resurgence of this historic variety. Participants will explore a range of wine styles from key growing regions including Spain, France, California, and Australia. The full-day Global Garnacha Summit features two seminars with limited seats, so please make sure to register early for your chosen selection.
MORNING SEMINAR
Garnacha Unveiled | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
A panel of leading producers from Spain, France, and California will explore the classic varietal characteristics of the variety; how it performs in different regions/terroir around the globe; and how it’s interpreted by renowned producers around the world.
- Moderator: Bob Bath, MS, Professor of Wine and Beverage Studies at The Culinary Institute of America
- Jason Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard and Château de Beaucastel
- Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard
- Pedro Ballesteros Torres, MW
- Angela Osborne, Grace Wine Company
- Emmanuel Kemiji, MS, Owner of Miura Vineyards, Managing Director, Clos Pissarra
WALK AROUND WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Garnacha: The Perfect Partner | 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
This walk-around wine and food pairing featuring the Chefs of Copia will meld the signature flavors of Spain, France, and California with both 100% Garnacha and blends from around the world from 26 producers.
AFTERNOON SEMINAR
Garnacha Rising | 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
A panel of leading sommeliers, buyers and distributors will discuss historical strategies for promoting Garnacha wines in addition to current consumption trends. The panelists will also exchange ideas for promoting Garnacha in today’s marketplace.
- Moderator: Peter Granoff, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
- Pedro Ballesteros Torres, MW
- Emmanuel Kemiji, MS, Owner of Miura Vineyards & Managing Director of Clos Pissarra
- Stevie Stacionis, Bay Grape
- Haley Moore, Stock & Bones Group
- Gilian Handelman, Jackson Family Wines on behalf of Yangarra
BLIND TASTING
Blind Tasting Competition of Garnacha/Grenache | 4:00 p.m. An interactive blind tasting led by The SommFoundation, with cash prizes of $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place provided by The SOMM Journal.
