Welcome to Unified Symposium

Wines & Vines, Jan, 2003

Much of the wine world will gather Jan. 27-30 at the nation's largest wine and grape show, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium at the Sacramento Convention Center. More than 80 speakers, all leaders in the fields of enology, viticulture, business, public relations, finance and marketing, will address the challenges facing the grape and wine industries today.

More than 400 exhibitors will showcase their wares and expertise at the concurrent trade show, which opens on Wednesday, Jan. 29. As always, Wines & Vines will be there, so please stop by and say "hello."

Though registration starts on Monday, Jan. 27, the Symposium's first general session will begin Tuesday at 9 a.m., starting with a welcome and introductions from Karen Ross, president of Unified's co-sponsor, the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). Ross will moderate the following session, "Sustainable Winegrowing Practices: Imperative for Surviving or Just Another Trend?" and present the new California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices developed by CAWG and Wine Institute. Speakers from Iowa State University and the New Zealand Winegrowers will join a half-dozen California experts discussing this hot-ticket topic.

Wednesday's general session will be opened by Bill Nakata, president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), Unified's other co-sponsor. Dana Merrill, chairman of the PD/GWSS board, will give a Pierce's disease update, and Tracy Genesen of Hyde, Miller, Owen & Trost will report on direct shipping. Mondavi's Andy Bledsoe will then moderate the annual "State of the Industry" presentation.

Paul Ginsburg, chair of Unified's Program Development Committee, will open the final general session on Thursday. John Gillespie, Wine Market Council, will moderate a marketing session, "Necessity is the Mother of Innovation."

Following each general session, you'll have to pick and choose among an exciting array of breakout sessions addressing vital topics from the vineyard to the marketplace. Please see our "Symposium Schedule-At-A-Glance" to plan your days.

And don't forget, Unified's a great opportunity for socializing and networking with your clients, suppliers and peers. Wednesday from 4-6 p.m., a wine tasting with hors d'oeuvres will be arrayed throughout the exhibit halls, featuring wines from California and many other wine producing states. Finally, belying the old saw, there is a free lunch, a hosted buffet, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all registered attendees.

For more information, phone (530) 753-3318 or visit the Web site unifiedsymposium.org.

Symposium Schedule-At-A-Glance

Monday, January 27
   1-5 p.m.                    Registration

Tuesday, January 28
   7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.         Registration
   9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.         Family Winemakers of California
                               Annual Meeting
   3:30-5 p.m.                 Seminar for Exhibitors Presented
                               by "Competitive Edge"
   4:30-8 p.m.                 CAWG Annual Meeting and
                               Reception

General Session
   9 a.m.-Noon                 Sustainable Winegrowing Practices:
                               Imperative for Surviving or Just
                               Another Trend?

Break-Out Sessions
   1-2:30 p.m.                 How Long Is Long-Term and Other
                               Intriguing Grape Contract Issues!
   1-3 p.m.                    Sustainable Winegrowing Practices:
                               Composting Winery Waste for
                               Vineyard Applications
   2-4 p.m.                    Developing New Markets
   2-4 p.m.                    Sustainable Practices: Wastewater
                               Management
   2-4 p.m.                    Pests and Pest Management
   2:30-4 p.m.                 Human Resources Management to
                               Improve Safety, Productivity and
                               Your Bottom Line

Wednesday, January 29
   7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.            Registration
   9 a.m.-6 p.m.               Exhibit Hall Open
   4-6 p.m.                    Wine Tasting

General Session
   8:30-11 a.m.                PD Update, Direct Shipping and
                               State of the Industry

Break-Out Sessions
   2-3 p.m.                    Agri- and Eco-Tourism
   2-3 p.m.                    Handling the Costs of Goods
   2-4 p.m.                    An Update on Ethyl Carbamate
                               (Urethane)
   2-4 p.m.                    Can Emerging Technology
                               Objectively Resolve Grape and
                               Wine Quality Issues?
   2-4 p.m.                    Experience with Microoxygenation
   3-4 p.m.                    10 Things I Wish I'd Known About
                               Marketing Before I Started My
                               Winery
   3-4 p.m.                    Unlock the Power of Information!
                               Keys to Choosing the Right
                               Intelligence Tools for Your
                               Business
   6-8:30 p.m.                 Cal Poly Alumni and Friends
                               Reception

Thursday, January 30
   8 a.m.-5 p.m.               Registration
   9 a.m.-5 p.m.               Exhibit Hall Open
   11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.           Hosted Buffet Luncheon

General Session
   9-11 a.m.                   Necessity Is the Mother of
                               Innovation

Sessions Presented in Spanish
   12:30-2 p.m.                Irrigation Management
   12:30-2 p.m.                Cellar Worker: California Code of
                               Sustainable Winegrowing Practices

Break-Out Sessions
   2-3 p.m.                    Creative Solutions for Living in a
                               Difficult Financial Market
   2-4 p.m.                    Irrigation Management to Improve
                               Quality, Efficiency and
                               Sustainability (includes tasting)
   2-4 p.m.                    Alternative Closures: A Technical
                               Look
   2-4 p.m.                    Profit-Making Tips for Selling
                               Directly to Your Consumers
   3-4 p.m.                    Selling the business but Not
                               Selling Out!