Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/400294
30 W i n e s & V i n e s n O V e M B e R 2 0 1 4 Faces&Forums N E W S M A K E R S Symposium Draws Lenders and Vintners T he mood was upbeat at the 23rd annual Wine Industry Financial Sym- posium, as winery executives, lenders and other industry professionals gathered in Napa Valley during the third consecutive relatively painless and large grape harvest. Two of the important presentations and panels from the event are covered in depth in this issue: see page 100 for Robert Smiley's view of "What Wine Industry Leaders Think is Important for the Future," and read about the Northwest vineyard boom on page 95, which covers a panel about "Transactions: Who are the Buyers and Sellers?" The WIFS program was held Sept. 22- 23 at the Napa Valley Marriott. The first afternoon packed in eight workshops with 29 speakers discussing everything from "The Hispanic Wine Consumer" to "Equity and Debt Markets" to use permit issues in Napa and Sonoma counties. The topics of craft beer and cider as potential competitors to wine marketers popped up during multiple sessions. Economics professor Mike Veseth of The Wine Economist blog showed how closely craft cider is following the marketing path that wineries blazed, with labels that say "single orchard," "barrel fermented" and "vintage dated." The program usually includes a family winery principal doing a solo talk, and this year it was Wente Vineyards' CEO Carolyn Wente, who told the story of her 130-year- old winemaking family. —Jim Gordon Carolyn Wente spoke about her family's 130 years of winemaking. Vintners Jonathan Pey of Textbook Napa Valley (from left) and Jon Moramarco of BW 166 addressed "Wine and Distribution." Karena Breslin gave Constel- lation Brands' take on digital marketing and brand building. The photo at right pictures Mark Gordon of Jackson Family Wines (left), Alisa Joseph of The Nielsen Co. and John Gillespie of the Wine Market Council and Wine Opinions. Below right, Mike Osborne (left) of Wine.com toasts Chris Golick and Jeff Harris of Purple Wine Co. In the photo below, Ray Johnson of Sonoma State University (left) catches up with Alan Hemphill. Castello di Amorosa hosted the speaker and sponsor din- ner, where director of winemaking Brooks Painter spoke. Faces& Forums N E W S M A K E R S