US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit

Organizations representing the four largest wine-producing states – California, New York, Oregon and Washington – are co-hosting the second U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit on April 19-21, an all-virtual event. The event will feature prominent U.S. media and trade as well as vintner and grower speakers. Organizers are the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, LIVE, Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, New York Wines, Oregon Wine, Washington State Wine, Washington Winegrowers and Wine Institute.

The event is geared to growers, vintners, association leaders, wine trade, and other industry professionals from around the world to hear about the ever-increasing interest in sustainable winegrowing in top U.S. wine states, get up close and personal with sustainable winegrowers in the field, and learn how they are adapting practices in the face of climate change. Attendees will gain insight into expanding this movement to their own wine regions, vineyards and wineries and how to communicate practices in ways that resonate with consumers and trade while credibly communicating the U.S. wine industry’s commitment to a global audience.

Summit Agenda:

DAY 1: MONDAY, APRIL 19

• Explore U.S. Sustainable Wine – Tasting and Seminar

The Summit will begin with a tasting of sustainably grown and produced wines from California, New York, Oregon and Washington moderated by Evan Goldstein, MS (Master the World) and feature vintners from the four partner states – Peter Work (Ampelos Cellars), Rich Olsen-Harbich (Bedell Cellars), Melissa Burr (Stoller Family Estate) and Holly Wells (Chateau Ste. Michelle). To taste along, purchase a wine kit in advance.

DAY 2: TUESDAY, APRIL 20

• Keynote Address: Trends & Observations on Sustainable Winegrowing
• How to Message Sustainability to Consumers and Trade: Workshopping “Sustainability” as a Challenger Brand
• Summit Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Virtual Tour

On the second day, Ray Isle – Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and Wine & Spirits Editor, Travel + Leisure – will give a keynote address on sustainable winegrowing trends and observations on sustainable winegrowing, followed by a workshop on messaging sustainability to consumers and trade. Moderated by Wine Institute’s Honore Comfort, panelists include Mark Barden of Eat Big Fish, Deb Hatcher of A to Z Wineworks and Linzi Gay of Clif Family Winery.

In the afternoon, participants will go on a virtual four-state sustainable vineyard and winery tour with stops at RGNY Wine (New York), Boushey Vineyards (Washington), Adelsheim Vineyard (Oregon) and Wente Vineyards (California). No sunscreen or hat needed!

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

• Grower Perspectives on Climate Change Resiliency
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The Social Pillars of Sustainability

The final day begins with a panel focused on grower perspectives on climate change resiliency, moderated by San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Critic, Esther Mobley and featuring winegrowers from Jackson Family Wines, Hunt Country Vineyards and Soter Vineyards. The last Summit session will be a conversation between Julia Coney (Wine Journalist and Founder of Black Wine Professionals) and Elaine Chukan Brown (American Specialist for JancisRobinson.com and Co-Founder of Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum) about diversity, equity and inclusion, the social pillar of sustainability.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT

The first U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit was hosted in 2019 in Sonoma County, California and featured 23 speakers offering perspectives on sustainability education and communications with 65 attendees from six states. The virtual format of the second Summit will enable higher attendance from winegrowers and associations from throughout the U.S., as well as global trade and media. “Our organizations have worked together over the past two years to commission research to better understand trade and consumer interest in sustainability, and to develop a common definition and principles of sustainability. The Summit is a chance to exchange ideas and best practices, and to engage the broader wine industry in advancing sustainability across the United States,” said Allison Jordan, Executive Director of CSWA.

The 2021 Summit sponsors include American Vineyard Magazine, Certified Sustainable Protected Harvest, Napa Green and Master the World. Tasting sponsors are Ampelos Cellars, Bedell Cellars, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Hartford Family Winery, Heron Hill Winery, Stoller Family Estate and Wente Vineyards. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; for more information, contact info@sustainablewinegrowing.org.