Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/619725
50 WINES&VINES January 2016 2016 UNIFIED SYMPOSIUM According to Collins, the sub-committee behind this session made a concerted effort to include more grapegrowing content, and pan- elists include vineyard manager Chris Hammell of Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Maria, Calif. "We're looking at how the region impacts the growing operations and winemaking im- plications," Collins said. Day two Mark Greenspan, president of ASEV, will open the general session Jan. 27. By the time this early morning discussion wraps up, the giant ballroom hosting the event will be standing room only. Mike Veseth, editor of the award- winning blog The Wine Economist, will moder- ate this 2.5-hour session, with speakers including a lineup of popular industry personalities: • Nat DiBuduo of Allied Grapegrowers will discuss the market for wine grapes with detailed figures on price per ton and give an estimate for California's planted vineyard acres. Since the USDA's vineyard acreage survey is op- tional for growers, many professionals view DiBuduo's estimate as a closer approximation to the true number of acres planted in the state. DiBuduo also shares advice about what grape varieties are selling well and whether it's advisable to plant vines—al- though never without his favor- ite quip: "Don't plant without a contract!" • Steve Fredricks of Turrentine Brokerage will share his exper- tise on the bulk wine market. The presentation is sure to be dynamic, as many brokers noted this summer and fall that winer- ies pulled their bulk offerings off the market due to a lower than expected harvest in 2015. Fred- ricks will reveal which bulk wines are fetching the highest prices from domestic wineries. • Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrik- son & Associates will give an overview of wine sales in terms of case volume, bottle price and country of origin. Dur- ing the general session in 2015 he identified red blends as a trend con- tinuing to gain momentum, and the variety's popularity only improved during the year that followed. The Unified trade show opens Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 9 a.m., with hundreds of vendors ready to share their latest winemaking, grape- growing and sales supplies and services with attendees looking to outfit their cellars, tasting rooms and vineyard equipment barns for 2016. The vendors fill two floors of the Sacramento Convention Center, with many debuting new products at the event. Two afternoon sessions are dedicated to winemaking. The first will focus on rosé wines, with winemaker and wine educator John Bu- chenstein serving as moderator. Buchenstein teaches sensory analysis at the Culinary Insti- tute of America-Greystone as well as the Uni- versity of California, Davis. Winemakers will discuss how they calculate harvest date and share techniques for achieving the desired color extraction. Some of the panelists include KEN FREEZE Jon Fredrikson will be speaking at the general session on Jan. 27.