Welcome to California
Join us for an immersive and educational experience in the picturesque landscapes of California wine country. As esteemed sommeliers and educators from South Korea, you’ll delve into the heart of California’s winemaking culture. Enjoy vineyard tours, exclusive tastings, the Pinot Noir Forum and educational masterclasses with industry experts.
Santa Barbara Winemakers
AVA Tasting and Lunch at Presqu’ile Winery
Hosted by the Santa Barbara Vintners and Growers Association
Time: 2:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Wineries
Brander Vineyard
Dierberg Vineyard
Dovecote Stolpman Vineyards
Presqu’ile Winery
Star Lane Vineyard
Stolpman Vineyards
Storm Wines
Paso Robles Winemakers
Tasting and Dinner at Thomas Hill Organics Restaurant
Time: 6:30 PM
Hosts
- Amanda Gorter, Winemaker, Robert Hall Winery
- Samantha Taylor, Winemaker, Hope Family Wines
- Steve Peck, VP, Winemaking, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- Molly Scott, Senior Director of Grower and Community Relations, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
- Joel Peterson, Executive Diector, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Vineyard tour on sustainability
Time: 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Hosts
Jason Haas, Partner and General Manager
Daou Vineyards
Brunch with tour & tasting
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hosts
Ken Van Doren, Senior Trade Wine Educator
PINOT FORUM PROGRAM
Spoonbar Restaurant
Dinner
Time: 6:00 PM
Hosts
Emeritus Vineyards
Gary Ferrell Vineyards & Winery
Monday, July 15
Russian River Valley Pinot Forum
Forum registration at 8:00 AM
Depart at 8:30 AM
Overnight Sonoma Co. at the Hampton Inn Windsor
Balletto Vineyards
Pinot Forum Kickoff & Welcome
"Welcome to our Neighborhoods" Seminar
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Tuesday, July 16
Russian River Valley Pinot Forum
Depart at 8:30 AM
Overnight Sonoma Co. at the Hampton Inn Windsor
Martin Ray
Lunch
Time: 9:15 AM – 1:30 PM
Wineries: Ancient Oak, Balletto, Benovia, Davis Bynum, Domaine de la Rivière, DuMOL, Emeritus, Freeman, Gary Farrell, Hartford Court, Joseph Jewell, La Crema, Landmark, Lando, Martin Ray, Martinelli, Moret Brealynn, Notre Vue, Patz & Hall, Pellegrini, River Road, Scherrer, Senses, Sonoma-Cutrer, The Calling
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Marketplace Tasting
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Wineries: Domaine de la Rivière, DuMOL, Freeman, Joseph Jewell, Martin Ray, Moret Brealynn, Patz & Hall, River Road, Senses
Bacchanalia at La Crema’s Saralee Vineyards
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Wineries: Ancient Oak, Balletto, Benovia, Davis Bynum, DuMOL, Emeritus, Gary Farrell, Hartford Court, Joseph Jewell, La Crema, Landmark, Lando, Martin Ray, Martinelli, Notre Vue, Pellegrini, Scherrer, Senses, Sonoma-Cutrer, The Calling
Wednesday, July 17
Depart at 9:45 AM
Overnight in Anderson Valley at The Madrone's & The Brambles inn
Kendall Jackson Wine Estates
Brunch, Garden Specialist and Cooking demo
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:45 PM
Hosts
Pedro Rusk, Senior Wine Educator
Littorai at Savoy Vineyard
Tour & tasting with a focus on sustainability and farming organically
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Hosts
- Ted Lemon, Littorai, Proprietor/Winemaker, Littorai Wines
- Dan Fishman, Vice President of Vineyards & Winemaking, Donum Estates
- Tony Chapman, Director of Winegrowing, Donum Estate
Twomey Anderson Valley
Tour and Tasting
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:40 PM
Hosts
Hope Nastri, Winemaker, Twomey
Vivien Gay, Director of International Sales
Roederer Estate
Tour and Tasting
Time: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Hosts
Gregg Lamer, Director of Hospitality
Maggy Hawk
Dinner
Time: 6:30 PM
Hosts
Sarah Weuthrich, Winemaker, Maggy Hawk
Darrin Low, Winemaker, Domaine Anderson
Bonterra Organic Vineyards
Presentation, walk to Merlot, Tasting and Lunch
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Hosts
Rachel Newman, Senior Vice President, Bonterra
Sebastian Donoso, Senior Winemaker
Francis Ford Coppola
Sustainability and Women in Wine
Time: 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Hosts
Andrea Card, Senior Winemaker
Jing Jin, Director Sales and Marketing Operations
Mae C Turner, Trade Hospitality Coordinator
Chateau Montelena
History of winery & tasting
Time: 3:45 PM – 5:30 PM
Hosts
Sheri Bowen, Hospitality & Retail Manager
George Blanckensee, CSW, Estate Director
Friday, July 19
Depart at 8:30 AM
Overnight in San Francisco at Hyatt Regency Embarcadero
Innovatus Wine
Vineyard tour & tasting with a focus on Women in Wine
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Hosts
Cecil Park, Owner & Winemaker
Spottswoode Winery
Vineyard tour, tasting and lunch
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Hosts
Molly Sheppard, Winemaker
Ray Kauffman, Exports
Gallica Wine
Tour & tasting with a focus on "Women in Wine
Time: 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Hosts
Rosemary Cakebread, Winemaker & Proprietor
Frances Stockton, Director of Sales & Marketing
Shafer Vineyards
Tour & tasting focused on sustainability
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Hosts
Ethan Gladner, Estate Sommelier
Elias Fernandez, Winemaker
Chimney Rock
(Terlato Wine Group)
Dinner with Women Winemakers, Welcome by Stacey Dolan Capitani, Napa Valley Vintners
Time: 5:30 PM
Hosts
- Corey Garner, Winemaker, Federalist Wines
- Laura Orozco, Winemaker, Paso d’Oro (a Paso Robles Cabernet project)/and Assistant Winemaker Chimney Rock
- Elizabeth Vianna, Winemaker/General Manager, Chimney Rock and Board Member for Napa Valley Vintners
- Todd Wolger, Export Director, Terlato Wines
What is covered in your stay
- Hotel stays and group ground transportation
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make sure to bring
- Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
- Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
- Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
- Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!
What is not covered
- Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
- Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference and regional tours.
- Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance as Wine Institute is not able to do this for you.
What to wear
Afternoons and evenings can be cool and windy, especially in coastal areas. Bring a jacket or sweater with you at all times.
- Sunday Welcome Dinner: Casual attire
- Regional Tour: Casual, jeans ok. Please dress for vineyard & winery visits with sturdy footwear, closed toe shoes.
- Winery Dinners: Smart casual.
- Tip: Avoid wearing heels.
Tips
- There will be a WhatsApp group for the tour, we will provide the QR code to access the group before leaving for the tour.
- Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. So may we ask everyone to be on time.
Capstone California
Capstone California is a comprehensive certification program featuring four levels, from novice to expert. Each level builds upon the previous one, covering a wide range of topics including history, geography, climate, soils, official classifications, the business of wine and more. This structured approach ensures a deep and thorough understanding of the California wine industry at every stage.
