January 13, 2026 — The full schedule & tickets are now available for Embracing Hybrid Grapes in California, convening at UC Davis on January 26th:
https://www.embracinghybridgrapes.com/schedule
In a time of uncertainty, weirdness, and general upheaval, what we need is… more change?! The producers of the Embracing Hybrid Grapes in California conference acknowledge that this is a strange and difficult time for wine. We recognize that this conference about hybrid grapes in many ways represents change…. And change is often terrifying and can cause us to feel threatened and to react defensively.
And so we want to make it clear that, as strange as this may sound for a press release, this conference comes from a place of Love. That’s why we chose the word “Embracing.” This conference is not intended to take anything away from anyone or up-end your lives and businesses. This is a both/and, not an either/or approach. We want to enhance your lives and minimize your risks and make your jobs easier, while expanding the amount of beauty and joy that is possible with wine. Our aim is to help build our wine into distinctive and diverse cultures that can sustain us and improve our lives into the future despite the uncertainties and inevitabilities of change.
We believe hybrid grapes will be an important part of the unpredictable and sometimes crazy future of wine, and we want California to have the opportunity to learn about these grapes and their wines and be inspired by their potential to see hope rather than fear for the future.
The day will include:
- 5 Tastings: Over 30 hybrid wines (US, Canada, France, Germany)
- (With a blind tasting game to test if you can tell hybrids from classic vinifera varieties).
- 3 Key Note Inspirations
- 3 Expert Panels
- 3 Scientific Presentations
Lots of Love. All grape species welcome. Viva California.
Tickets: https://www.embracinghybridgrapes.com/get-tickets
