Featuring one of the largest East Coast red wine tastings assembled to date
February 11, 2026 (Princeton, NJ) — The Winemakers Co-Op, a collective dedicated to driving the burgeoning fine wine movement in New Jersey, announces its annual educational forum, Red Wine Rising: An East Coast Perspective, taking place February 23–24, 2026, at the Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center in Princeton, NJ.
This two-day program brings together leading East Coast winemakers, academics, and industry specialists for a deep dive into the vineyard and cellar practices that are driving higher-quality red wine production across the region. The event culminates in a walk-around tasting, featuring one of the largest curated selections of high-quality East Coast red wines ever presented.
Agenda Highlights
Quality in Emerging Regions: Maturity in the Vines
Ben Jordan, Co-Founder & Winemaker, Common Wealth Crush Co.
Jordan, a Virginia wine industry leader, will chart how site selection, pruning, and old vines have contributed to viticultural and winemaking excellence in the region.
Harvest to Bottling: 5 Ways to Make More Concentrated Red Wine
Ed Boyce, Proprietor, Black Ankle Vineyards
Boyce, a quality pioneer in Maryland, will focus on methods to increase concentration while preserving elegance and balance.
Dwayne Bershaw, Lecturer in Enology, Cornell University
Will lead three science-focused mini-sessions:
- The Science Behind How Red Wine Ages in Bottle
- Preparing for Potential Climate Impacts in the Cellar
- How Fermentation Temperature Impacts Red Wine Production
Strategic Red Wine Production: From Vineyard Decisions to Shelf Impact
Byron Elmendorf, Head Winemaker, Macari Vineyards
A thought-provoking session on applying a strategic mindset to your red wine production from Elmendorf, a top New York state winery vintner.
Oak Alternatives for Producing High-Quality Red Wines
Gerhard Ziemer, International Barrel and Tank Consultant, Bouchard Cooperages
An alternate look at how high-quality red wines can be crafted without oak influence
Extraction & Maceration Techniques for Achieving Fruit Definition
Laura Cypress, East Coast & Midwest Technical Winemaker, Laffort USA
A technical exploration of extraction and maceration regimes across a range of red varieties and their impact on fruit definition.
The Potential of Cabernet Franc on the East Coast
A multi-state panel discussion and tasting with panel members from New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.
East Coast Red Wine Walkaround Tasting
A professional, self-guided walk-around tasting showcasing the breadth of red wine styles and grape varieties grown across the major East Coast wine-producing states, with wines from leading producers.
Full Speaker List:
- Dwayne Bershaw, Lecturer – Enology, Cornell University
- Ed Boyce, Proprietor, Black Ankle Vineyards
- Laura Cypress, East Coast and Midwest Technical Winemaker, Laffort USA
- Byron Elmendorf, Head Winemaker, Macari Vineyards
- Ben Jordan, Co-Founder, Winemaker, Common Wealth Crush Co.
- Gerhard Ziemer, International Barrel and Tank Consultant, Bouchard Cooperages
Location:
Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center, 1 Chauncey Road, Princeton, NJ
Ticketing:
- Full 2-Day Event: $160
- Single-Day Pass: $100
- Walk Around Tasting-Only: $30, a limited number of tickets are available
This conference is subsidized by The Winemakers Co-Op with support from the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
Register and view the full agenda:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/red-wine-rising-an-east-coast-perspective-tickets-1980232876841?aff=oddtdtcreator
About The Winemakers Co-Op
The Winemakers Co-Op was founded in 2015 with the common goal of increasing the quality and perception of the fine wines of New Jersey. Member wineries aim to produce benchmark dry wines from estate‑grown vinifera (European) varieties that illuminate the differences in soil and climate that exist throughout the Garden State. Through a series of intimate tasting events, industry outreach and
communication with the press, these wineries have established themselves as leaders of fine wine production on the East Coast. By spearheading essential industry research and development, Co-Op members are striving to push the boundaries of quality with each new vintage. For more information, please visit thewinemakersco-op.com.
