May 14, 2026 (Seattle, WA) — Wine Folly co-founder Madeline Puckette will join an elite roster of wine industry leaders and grape, wine, sensory, and data scientists at the Vine to Mind Symposium, taking place May 18–21 at UC Davis.
Puckette will participate in the Judgment of Davis on Monday, May 18 as an international wine judge and in the “Wine Media Wins (and a Loss or Two)” panel on Tuesday, May 19, alongside Wanda Mann (SOMM Journal), André Mack (Maison Noir Wines), Jason Wise (SOMM TV), and Natalie Wang (Vino Joy News). The session examines how wine storytelling and education have evolved in an era of rapid technological change.
A Legacy of Scientific Inquiry
Thirty-five years ago, in the spring of 1991, wine visionary Robert Mondavi convened a groundbreaking academic conference that brought together archaeologists, historians, and scientists to study wine’s ancient origins. That same year, on November 17, 1991, the now-legendary 60 Minutes “French Paradox” segment transformed American wine consumption overnight and legitimized wine-health research as a serious scientific endeavor.
These pivotal 1991 moments are intimately connected to UC Davis’s century-long foundation as the epicenter of American wine science. Since the California Legislature mandated wine education in 1880, UC Davis has led rigorous scientific inquiry into viticulture and enology. By the 1990s, Davis researchers pioneered DNA fingerprinting techniques that revealed the parentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, developed assays to combat cork taint, and fundamentally reshaped global winemaking practices through scientific innovation. Robert Mondavi’s deep relationship with UC Davis faculty culminated in his $25 million gift in 2001 to create the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, uniting the university’s world-renowned viticulture, enology, and food science programs within a shared complex.
Continuing the Tradition
Today, UC Davis with the Harvard Data Science Initiative continues that legacy of bringing brilliant minds together to advance wine science. The Vine to Mind symposium will promote conversation around how data science and artificial intelligence can help reshape viticulture, enology, marketing, and the consumer experience.
“Just as 1991 marked a turning point for how we understand wine’s relationship to health and history, 2026 represents a new inflection point,” said Puckette. “We’re facing unprecedented challenges—from climate change to shifting consumer attitudes toward alcohol. But we’re also armed with unprecedented tools: AI, data science, and a global community of researchers committed to wine’s future.”
Vine to Mind: A Four-Day Exploration
The symposium features two thematic days of academic sessions followed by curated Napa Valley winery visits. The sessions examine wine in our world today and how AI and data may change the industry in the future.
Speakers include Michael Mondavi, Christian Wente, Karen MacNeil, Eric Asimov, Princeton economist Orley Ashenfelter, and academics across agricultural economics, viticulture, enology, computer science, and neuroscience, alongside technology leaders from across the industry landscape.
Wine Folly’s Educational Mission
Puckette co-founded Wine Folly in 2011 to make wine education accessible through data visualization, infographics, and scientifically-grounded content. The platform has reached millions of readers worldwide, published multiple bestselling books, and built comprehensive educational resources that democratize wine knowledge.
“Wine Folly has always been about translating complex wine science into clear, beautiful, accessible education,” Puckette noted. “This symposium represents the cutting edge of wine research—the questions being asked here today will shape how we teach wine tomorrow.”
The Vine to Mind symposium exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach that both Robert Mondavi and Wine Folly champion: bringing together diverse perspectives to ensure wine remains relevant, responsible, and scientifically understood for generations to come.
For more information about Vine to Mind 2026, visit vinetomind.org.
About Wine Folly
Wine Folly is the world’s leading wine education platform, co-founded by Madeline Puckette in 2011. Through beautifully designed infographics, comprehensive guides, and data-driven content, Wine Folly makes wine accessible to millions of enthusiasts worldwide.
