For those wanting to take a deep dive into technical aspects of viticulture and enology in the wine industry, the Oregon Wine Symposium will offer learning opportunities from industry experts down the road and four experts from across the globe, providing educational opportunities for even the most seasoned wine professionals and students alike. As well as wine business talks, wine trials and tastings, the 2018 Symposium will deliver in-depth technical discussions on enology and viticulture. The annual two-day event will be held Feb. 20-21 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
Enology and viticulture sessions will start strong with Belinda Kemp, Canadian sparkling wine researcher and cool climate expert from Ontario’s Brock University, who will reveal recent research on farming techniques tailored for sparkling winemaking. Kemp, along with Emma Rice, U.K. sparkling winemaker, and panel of Willamette Valley sparkling wine producers will discuss Producing High Quality Traditional Method Sparkling Wine: Considering Quality Techniques from Farming to Tirage. Seating at this seminar is limited and will also feature a sparkling wine press cuts trial and base wine and blending tasting.
Enology sessions continue with James Herbertson, associate professor of enology at Washington State University, presenting his research on Alcohol’s Influence on Sensory Development. The discussion will be led by Dr. James Osborne, associate professor and enology extension specialist at Oregon State University.
On the second day of the Symposium, Understanding Control Points from Crush Pad to Barrel in the Minimal Intervention Cellar will be hosted by natural wine expert Eric Texier from France’s Rhône Valley. Texier will be joined by low intervention winemaking industry heads: researcher Sydney Morgan of University of British Columbia-Okanagan, Chad Stock of Craft Wine Co. in Oregon, and Mike Roth of Lo-Fi wines in Santa Barbara.
Focused viticulture sessions kick off with Techniques for Managing High Vigor Vineyards: Under Vine Management and Cover Cropping led by Stoller Family Estate’s vineyard manager Jason Tosch. The panel will feature Dr. Gill Giese of New Mexico State University and Dr. Cain Hickey of University of Georgia. The following day will feature a discussion from viticulturists and labor experts on Labor Supply: A West Coast Perspective, followed by a discussion on Powdery Mildew Management, a growing topic in climates with warm days and cool nights. A host of professors and researchers will be on hand for this talk, including Russell Moss, vineyard instructor at Chemeketa Community College, Dr. Andrew Landers at Cornell University, Jay W. Pscheidt of Oregon State University and Michelle Moyer, viticulture extension specialist from Washington State University.
For additional information on the program, speakers and special events, visit symposium.oregonwine.org.
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About the Oregon Wine Board
The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. Visit oregonwine.org.
About the Oregon Winegrowers Association
The Oregon Winegrowers Association advances and protects the investments of its members. Harnessing the power of state-wide consensus, the OWA stands as a vital advocate for the health, growth and economic sustainability of Oregon’s wine grape growing and wine production community. The OWA is the only statewide organization speaking on behalf of Oregon’s vineyards and wineries to decision-makers in Salem and Washington, D.C. to ensure the community’s continued success. Visit oregonwinegrowers.org.
