3rd Annual Trade Event Builds Momentum with All-Star Cast of Master Sommeliers and Wine Industry Leaders
Central Coast, CA—Wine Speak Paso Robles is set to return for a third annual campaign on January 14-16, 2020, advancing its momentum as a premier trade event featuring an all-star cast of master sommeliers, wine industry leaders and hospitality professionals. The full schedule was published today at www.WineSpeakPaso.com.
Wine Speak is a trade-focused event featuring winemaker seminars, personal interviews, interactive tastings and workshops, and a public “Wines of The World” grand tasting—all geared toward fostering community and collaboration in the wine industry.
“Wine Speak is all about gathering luminaries from around the world to share their knowledge, wisdom and experience, so that everyone attending can have an opportunity to learn,” said master sommelier Chuck Furuya, who co-founded Wine Speak with Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins.
The second annual Wine Speak last January featured 30 speakers, up from 15 in the inaugural year—and now the 2020 edition promises to showcase the most dynamic cast yet. “While all of the speakers and panelists may know each other by reputation, Wine Speak presents a unique chance for everyone to come together and share ideas,” Furuya said.
Snapshot: Wine Speak 2020
Wine Speak 2020 spans three days in the Paso Robles wine country, kicking off with a regional open house, followed by two days of winemaker-sommelier panels. The event will conclude with professional development seminars and workshops on the final day. Wine Speak also features a “Wines of The World” grand tasting on January 14, where local chefs will present wine-friendly small plates and an international cast of winemakers will showcase some of their finest reserve and library bottlings.
Featured winemaker-sommelier panels at Wine Speak 2020 include:
“Sense of Place” with Tegan Passalacqua (Turley Wine Cellars, Paso Robles) & Laura Catena (Bodega Catena Zapata, Argentina)
“Paso Robles Overview” with Jason Haas (Tablas Creek), Jordan Fiorentini (Epoch); Steve Peck (J. Lohr) and Mike Sinor (Ancient Peaks), moderated by Amanda Wittstrom Higgins (co-founder of Wine Speak / VP of Ancient Peaks)
“Talk Story” with Bruce Neyers (Neyers Vineyards), the Wine Yoda
“Talk Story” with Lionel Faury (Domaine Faury, Northern Rhône Valley, France)
“Inside/Outside—From the Wine Journalists’ Point of View” with Matt Kettmann (Wine Enthusiast) and Randy Caparoso (The SOMM Journal), moderated by Amanda Wittstrom Higgins (co-founder of Wine Speak / VP of Ancient Peaks)
“Dream Big, Darling—Wine from a Different Perspective” with Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon, Master Sommelier, moderated by Amanda Wittstrom Higgins (co-founder of Wine Speak / VP of Ancient Peaks / President and Founder of Dream Big Darling)
“Inside/Outside—Crazy Red Blends” with Stephan Asseo (L’Aventure, Paso Robles) and Emanuel Kemiji, Master Sommelier (Clos Pissarra, Priorat, Spain)
“Inside/Outside—Cabernet Sauvignon” with Thomas Brown (Rivers Marie, Napa Valley) and Fred Dame, Master Sommelier (DAOU, Paso Robles)
The full schedule for Wine Speak Paso Robles 2020 is available at www.WineSpeakPaso.com.
“In two short years, Wine Speak has become a draw for those looking for a refreshing wine experience,” said Fred Dame, famed master sommelier and global wine ambassador at DAOU Vineyards & Winery. “The participants here truly ‘participate’ in all the events. This is a true wine community experience.”
Said co-founder Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins, Ancient Peaks Winery’s VP of operations, “Our aim remains the same: to create a premier experience for wine industry professionals to grow and learn together.”
Wine Speak would like to thank its generous sponsors for helping make this event possible: Visit Atascadero; City of Atascadero; Pavilion at the Lake; Somm Journal; Tasting Panel Magazine; Paso Robles CAB Collective; Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance; Farm Credit; TricorBraun; The Carlton Hotel, Umpqua Bank; American General Media; Holiday Inn Express Atascadero; and Glenn Burdette.
Wine Speak Paso Robles is a premiere industry summit that brings sommeliers, wine industry leaders and hospitality professionals together for a three-day educational journey. Join master sommelier Chuck Furuya and his peers as they steer winemaker seminars, hospitality classes, wine tastings and special vineyard excursions—all designed to advance professional collaboration, knowledge and performance throughout the wine industry. Visit WineSpeakPaso.com.
