NAPA / SONOMA, CALIFORNIA |August 14, 2024: On Tuesday, August 27, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. PST, the Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense (WWS) will host the Wine Market Council (WMC) President, Liz Thach, MW, for a networking reception and market research discussion, “A Snapshot of the U.S. Wine Consumer: Their Needs, Desires, and How They Are Changing.” This event will be particularly focused on actionable data and insights about luxury and ultra-premium tier wine consumers that are essential to both artisan and larger scale wine brands. The presentation will also include a high-level preview from their recently completed Wine Club/DTC Consumer Study.
This dynamic gathering of attendees from wineries, vineyards and related wine industry professionals will be both live streamed and generously hosted with an opening reception at Napa Valley’s acclaimed Davis Estates by President and long-time WWS member, Jennifer Link. Davis Estates is located at 4060 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA, 94515.
ABOUT THE EVENT: The event will be held both onsite at Davis Estates and online via private Zoom livestream. Discussion will be tailored for wine and related industry general managers, senior level leaders and consumer-insight related attendees as they seek to learn the latest insights about current and future U. S. wine consumers, how they are evolving, and how the industry can collectively adapt to better communicate with existing and future high-value consumers. The goals will be to provide insights and foster connections among attendees engaged in planning, developing and implementing progressive marketing and brand strategies for wines of all scales in the luxury and ultra-premium tiers.
At 4:00 p.m. the event begins with an exclusive reception with industry peers and the speaker enjoying hospitality and limited-edition Davis Estate wines while overlooking the sweeping views from the eastern hills of Napa Valley high above the Silverado Trail. At 4:50 p.m., early log-ons open for the livestream. The presentation starts at 5:00 p.m. followed by a lively question and answer session.
WWS Napa | Sonoma chapter President, Julie Lumgair, notes, “Hosting this presentation is so well aligned with our mission. Women For WineSense is excited to celebrate over 34 years of building strong educational connections among wine industry leaders, locally and across the U.S., with our broad balance of aficionado members who are true wine lovers. We’re thankful to Dr. Thach of Wine Market Council and the very generous Davis Estates hosts for this essential conversation about research and plans to serve and delight fine wine consumers in the future.”
RSVP DETAILS: Please, no walk-ins. This event is open in person to active WWS members and all qualified professional non-members that are registered and confirmed in advance.
Please register early to ensure onsite seating at this link with online registration, plus organizer contact information for questions. Once onsite capacity filled, all remaining registrations will be for livestream option with a waitlist for onsite spaces. All wine industry professionals, women and men, are warmly welcome. Both onsite and virtual registered attendees will receive a private livestream link by 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 27.
To learn more about the qualitative and quantitative reports and stay up to date on the newest Wine Market Council research, please visit winemarketcouncil.com. For WMC press inquiries, contact Sheri Fidel at admin@winemarketcouncil.com. For WWS inquiries, contact Julie Lumgair at julie.lumgair@gmail.com.
ABOUT WOMEN FOR WINESENSE: WWS is a national not-for-profit organization 501(c)6. The Napa|Sonoma Chapter founded in 1990 is the founding chapter of this national organization which provides outstanding educational and networking opportunities to both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts by presenting educational, insightful and stimulating events in a welcoming, fun environment. Women and men 21 years old or more are welcome to join. Information on the national chapter and 10 regional chapters is at www.womenforwinesense.org.
ABOUT WINE MARKET COUNCIL: The Wine Market Council was established in 1996 as a non-profit (501c6) trade association whose mission is to provide its members with proprietary fact-based and forward-looking market research on the ever-changing U.S. wine consumer’s buying habits, attitudes, and motivations. Members cover a wide range of the industry and affiliates, ranging from growers and wineries through the distribution system to retailers, restaurateurs, and organizations affiliated with winemaking. Their qualitative and quantitative reports assist WMC members in planning, developing and implementing progressive marketing and brand strategies. To learn more and stay up to date on the newest Wine Market Council research, please visit WineMarketCouncil.com.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Liz Thach, MW, has been conducting wine market research for more than 20 years as a Professor, Research Writer and Consultant based in Napa and Sonoma, California. Liz is considered to be one of the U.S.’s leading wine experts, and has visited most of the major wine regions of the world and over 75 countries. She teaches wine classes at Stanford Continuing Education, Burgundy School of Business, and Sonoma State University, and has published over 300 articles and 9 books, including Call of the Vine, Best Practices in Global Wine Tourism and Wine Marketing & Sales. She frequently publishes in Forbes, Wine Business Monthly, Wine Spectator, and The Somm Journal, amongst others. In addition, she serves as a wine judge and on several non-profit boards. A fifth generation Californian, Liz finished her Ph.D. at Texas A&M and now lives on Sonoma Mountain. Liz obtained the distinction of Master of Wine (MW) in May of 2011, becoming the first female MW from California. Website: https://lizthachmw.com.
ABOUT THE HOSTS: Davis Estates is a family owned and operated estate located in Calistoga, Napa Valley. The Davis family has been intricately involved in the fabric of day-to-day operations since Mike and Sandy Davis purchased the century-old estate winery in 2011. Together, the entire family and their world-class team, are committed to building a sustainable property while crafting premiere Napa Valley wines to be enjoyed today and for generations to come.
The picturesque winery property covers 155 acres, 11 of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. The estate sweeps from the famous Silverado Trail on the valley floor up into the eastern hills, cresting at 1,100 feet. This change of elevation, exposure and micro- climate, combined with a range of well-drained volcanic soils, creates an ideal place to grow their preeminent grapes. Best-known for terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignons, Davis Estates also produces exceptional Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and special Bordeaux blends, along with single varietals of everything grown on the estate.
Davis Estates President, Jessica Link, joined at the opening of the winery in May of 2016 and helped move the brand from infancy to excellence. She started her career path as one of the first three graduates from the Wine Business program at Sonoma State University. She came up through the ranks at Beringer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Robert Young Estate Winery developing a broad-based experience in management, finance, sales, hospitality and customer service.
Continuing her immersion into the world of wine, Jessica lives on her family’s vineyard and manages the small family label. Selling their extremely boutique wine on weekends and vacations allows her to stay intimately connected to people who truly enjoy wine, and the accompanying experiences and stories. All of this has reinforced her belief that wine is about people, and sharing, and fun.
