Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/95545
UNIFIED PREVIEW The symposium will follow the same track as in previous years, Frey said. The general sessions in the morning will cover major topics of the wine business, and afternoon sessions will look in detail at topics that relate back to the general sessions. "That's an ongoing theme in trying to ultimately take something home following the conference," he said. This year, the symposium will open with a general session focusing on how the global market can affect U.S. wine production. Market dynamics of the past year and trends that will define the year ahead continuing popularity of Moscato and red blends, tracking consumer decisions and sales trends for both on- and off-premise sales. Rebecca Bleibaum, vice president of sales and research for consumer analysis company Tragon, will speak on the panel with Christian Miller of Wine Opinions. The Spanish-language winemaking and grapegrowing sessions have been combined into one general session on the morning of Jan. 31. This year a panel of experts will discuss general industry trends as well as consumer preferences before leading a discussion about growing and producing three white varietal wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Al- bariño. The session will end with a tasting. Amelia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards will moder- ate the discussion between Eva Bertran of Gloria Ferrer, Markus Bokisch of Bokisch Vineyards and Israel Zenteno, winemaker at Monte Xanic winery in Mexico. For a complete daily schedule of the sym- posium, visit unifiedsymposium.org. Spanish-language sessions: Industry trends, consumer preferences, growing and producing three white varietal wines Nat DiBuduo, Allied Grape Growers Jon Frederikson, Gomberg Fredrik- son & Associates Glenn Proctor, Ciatti Co. The short supply of Californian bulk wine was a major topic at the 2012 Unified session; how the industry reacted to that shortage will be a subject for the Jan. 29 session. Mike Drobnick, senior vice presi- dent for bulk wine sales at O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, will moderate the panel that includes Kym Anderson, a professor of eco- nomics with the University of Adelaide; Ste- phen Rannekleiv, the executive director of Rabobank's food and agribusiness research department; Mike Veseth, author of The Wine Economist blog and professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington; and Santiago Achurra, president of Viña Requingua in Chile. State of the industry On Jan. 30, Veseth will moderate the "State of the Industry" session, which explores "the market dynamics of the past year" as well as the "trends that will define the year ahead." North America's largest wine industry trade show runs concurrent- ly with educational sessions Jan. 30-31. Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers; Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates; Charles Gill with Wine Metrics and Glenn Proctor of the Ciatti Co. will offer their thoughts about the current state of the U.S. wine business. The general session Jan. 31 will examine consumer trends driving the industry. Some of the topics to be examined include the Amelia Ceja, Ceja Vineyards Eva Bertran, Gloria Ferrer Markus Bokisch, Bokisch Vineyards Registration and costs Reduced rates for early registration are available through Jan. 22. To register, visit unifiedsymposium.org or call (888) 559- 9530 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific time. Registration costs are as follows: Three-day registration (Includes Tuesday-Thursday sessions, Spanish session and Wednesday-Thursday exhibits.) ASEV member/CAWG member/exhibitor: through Jan. 22, $299; after Jan. 22, $499 ASEV industrial affiliate: $299, $499 ASEV student member: $50, $250 Non-member: $489, $689 One-day registration (Includes your choice of Tuesday sessions and Wednesday exhibits, Wednesday sessions and Wednesday exhibits, or Thursday sessions and Thursday exhibits.) Note: Registration for Thursday includes the Spanish session. ASEV member/CAWG member/exhibitor: before Jan. 22, $199; after Jan. 22, $399 ASEV industrial affiliate: $199, $399 Non-member: $249, $449 The opening general session of a past year's Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is packed with industry members. Exhibits only (Wednesday and Thursday) Note: Three-day or one-day registration is not required. ASEV/CAWG member, non-member: $30, $60 Spanish session only (Includes Wednesday & Thursday exhibits) Note: Three-day or one-day registration is not required. All attendees $55 WINES & VINES DECEMBER 2012 25 Israel Zenteno, Monte Xanic Winery