November 11, 2025 — On January 26, 2026, winegrowers, winemakers, and industry leaders will gather at UC Davis for the first conference dedicated to exploring the ecological and economic benefits of hybrid grapes for California wine. Attendees will taste dozens of hybrid grape wines from around the world, learn and hear keynote presentations from growers & makers of hybrid grapes & wines in California and other regions, retailers, and UC Davis professors of Viticulture & Enology.
As California wine experiences a historic contraction and simultaneously looks for ways to adapt wine production for a rapidly changing climate and society, hybrid grapes present huge potentials to rebuild with greater resilience and create distinctive wines that stand out as unique in a global market. While many wineries explore sustainability via a shift in practices, choosing more sustainable varieties of grapes is often overlooked. Embracing Hybrid Grapes will demonstrate how hybrid grapes can make high quality wine while also significantly reducing dependence on pesticides, thereby saving costs and protecting human and environmental health.
Keynote speakers and presenters include: Elaine Chukan Brown, Deirdre Heekin, Matt Neiss, Christopher Renfro, Adam Tolmach, and UC Davis Professors Dario Cantu and Luis Diaz-Garcia, with more TBA.
Tickets & Info: https://www.embracinghybridgrapes.com/
Embracing Hybrid Grapes in California
January 26, 2026
At the UC Davis Conference Center
Sponsorship & contact: embracinghybridgrapes@gmail.com
Current Sponsors Include:
Paicines Ranch, No Regrets Initiative
Marie Anderson, Savoy & Sons
Joyce Jones & Dennis Johnson
Amiti
Usonia
Herrick Vineyards & Nursery
