California Wines is proud to partner with some of the state’s most esteemed wine regions to present a series of regionally-focused masterclasses, bringing a broad spectrum of wines for buyer guests. Award-winning wine educator, Elaine Chukan Brown, will be offering an ‘Innovators of California’ on Day 1 and Day 2 of the conference.
The Masterclasses
Monday, November 6
Innovators of California with Elaine Chukan Brown
Time: 8:30-9:30 AM
Room: Diamond Mountain
Speaker
Elaine Chukan Brown
While the California wine industry is younger that many of its global counterparts, vintners across the state have long practiced a strong commitment to going against the grain and setting new benchmarks. From reviving forgotten grape varieties and employing new practices to enhance ecosystem integrity, to pushing the limits of traditional winemaking techniques and alternative packaging, the innovative spirit of California grape growing and winemaking draws on wisdom beyond its years. This session will take a look at forward-thinking producers, both past and present, inspired by each other to further inspire the world with wines enjoyed around the world.
Deconstructing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with Kelli White
Time: 8:30-9:30 AM
Room: Atlas Peak
Speaker
Kelli White
Panelists
Josh Widaman, Pine Ridge
Cathy Corison, Corison Wines
There are about as many ways to approach Napa Valley Cabernet as there are bottles of Cabernet! This seminar explores the whole landscape of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, from the different styles to the different brands, the families, the stories, the terroir, the price points. Led by wine educator and author, Kelli White, and joined by two prominent winemakers, this panel will discuss a number of approaches to tackling this formidable subject. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons are as complex and varied as the soils they grow on. Come dig into this fascinating topic and taste six excellent wines along the way.
PLEASE NOTE: This class is recommended for attendees who do not plan to attend the Napa Valley regional tour later in the week. This session will be repeated for those attendees on Wednesday.
Waves, Wind and Wine: The Diversity of Monterey Wine Country
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Room: Diamond Mountain
Panelists
Jeff Pisoni, Winemaker, Pisoni Family Vineyards
Matt Rivelette, Winemaker, Siduri
Greg Freeman, Winemaker, Chalone
Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Monterey Wine Country. This masterclass will delve into the enchanting world of Monterey’s distinct AVAs, each shaped by the captivating influence of Monterey Bay’s submarine canyon and the harmonious union with the rolling mountain ranges. Learn how the region’s diverse micro-climates lend unique characteristics to the wines produced here. Through a captivating discussion and tasting, we’ll celebrate the intriguing interplay between waves, wind, and wine that gives Monterey its unparalleled richness and complexity.
Santa Barbara County: 20 Million Years in the Making
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Room: Atlas Peak
Moderators
Alison Laslett, CEO, Santa Barbara Vintners
Phil Carpenter, GM, Santa Barbara Vintners
Panelists
Nicholas Miller, Bien Nacido Estate
Spencer Shull, Fess Parker Winery
AJ Fairbanks, Crown Point Vineyards
Discover the captivating world of Santa Barbara County’s wine regions and the flavors and characteristics that define each area. This masterclass will delve into the diversity of terroirs found within the three major AVAs: Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and Santa Ynez Valley. Nestled within a transverse mountain range that runs east-west, Santa Barbara County enjoys a rare and remarkable range of climates. This unique geography has given rise to an astounding array of over 70 grape varieties grown within a mere 40 square mile area—a testament to the region’s unparalleled distinction in the wine industry. This guided tasting, led by three esteemed winemakers, will showcase the exceptional wines representing their respective regions.
Tuesday, November 7
Innovators of California with Elaine Chukan Brown
Time: 8:30-9:30 AM
Room: Diamond Mountain
Speaker
Elaine Chukan Brown
While the California wine industry is younger that many of its global counterparts, vintners across the state have long practiced a strong commitment to going against the grain and setting new benchmarks. From reviving forgotten grape varieties and employing new practices to enhance ecosystem integrity, to pushing the limits of traditional winemaking techniques and alternative packaging, the innovative spirit of California grape growing and winemaking draws on wisdom beyond its years. This session will take a look at forward-thinking producers, both past and present, inspired by each other to further inspire the world with wines enjoyed around the world.
The West Sonoma Coast AVA: Terroir-driven California Wine
Time: 8:30-9:30 AM
Room: Atlas Peak
Panelists
Erin Brooks, Ernest Vineyards
Akiko Freeman, Freeman Winery
Christopher Streiter, Senses Wines
Since the 1970s, farmers and vintners seeking to make Pinot noir and Chardonnay with bright acidity, aromatic complexity, and purity of expression have been pushing out to the far coast of Sonoma County, culminating in the establishment of the West Sonoma Coast AVA in 2022. Due to their proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean, vineyards lying on these ridges and hills are often enshrouded in fog and buffeted by wind and the wines, as a result, speak clearly of their unique place. This seminar will explore what makes this AVA unlike any other region in the world and why it is one of the most exciting regions growing these varieties today.
Lodi Roots Run Deep
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Room: Diamond Mountain
Speakers
Elaine Chukan Brown
Stuart Spencer, Lodi WineGrape Commission
The Lodi AVA is quickly becoming one of California’s most dynamic and exciting winegrowing regions. Rooted in a rich history, this historic AVA has been the heartbeat of the state’s wine industry for 150 years, quietly cultivating a legacy of innovation and experimentation. In this session, you will uncover the secrets of old, own-rooted vines, taste the incredible diversity of 100+ grape varieties, and hear the rich stories of generational farming families who have nurtured this land, unraveling the charm that makes Lodi a rising star within California’s wine landscape.
Paso Robles, It’s Cooler Than You Think
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Room: Atlas Peak
Panelists
Christopher Taranto, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance proudly presents an entertaining and educational overview about what makes Paso—home to a rich heritage, rural beauty, and world-class wines—so unique as a growing region. The presentation will cover climate, soil, and topography, providing examples of how these attributes are expressed in the wines produced in the heart of California’s Central Coast. Learn how and why such a wide diversity of wines thrive in the region: grape varieties have traveled from as far as the Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spain to make their home here and some, like the heritage grape Zinfandel, have always thrived throughout the region’s long history.
Speaker
Elaine Chukan Brown
Global Wine Educator, Wine Writer
Elaine Chukan Brown serves as a global wine educator, and journalist specializing in global initiatives for sustainability and climate action, most especially in US wine. Brown serves as a columnist for Decanter Magazine, and previously was the Executive Editor US for JancisRobinson.com. In 2022, Brown was nominated for a James Beard Award in Journalism, and became an advisor to the Women in Wine and Spirits Awards of China. In 2021, Brown gave the keynote address, “Risk and Self-Doubt as Opportunity,” for the Femmes du Vin event sponsored by the US State Department through the Paris Embassy. The Hue Society named their annual prize the “Elaine C Brown award in Wine Education” in recognition of Brown’s contributions to wine education, and the Women in Wine and Spirits Awards (WINWSA) in China named Brown one of the world’s 50 Most Influential Women in Wine and Spirits. In 2020, Brown was awarded Wine Communicator of the Year in the world by IWSC and VinItaly, and was named a Wine Industry Leader in the North American wine industry by Wine Business Monthly. In 2019, the Wine Industry Network named Brown one of the Most Inspiring People in Wine, and they were shortlisted for the IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year award.