9:25 AM – 10:25 AM

E02 | Postmodern Winemaking, Part 2: Winemaker Discussion
Moderator: Clark Smith, Winemaker, Author, WineSmith Wines & Consulting
Panel: Jim Law, Owner, Linden Vineyards, Ltd., Winegrower, Hardscrabble Vineyard
Conor McCaney, Head Winemaker, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery
& Massimo Devellis, Owner & Winemaker, Insieme Winery

Following Clark’s presentation in Part 1, three practitioners of his ideas will explore the creation of good structure, the meaning of terroir, and the use of music as a guide to product consistency. Techniques discussed will include living soil, the determination of ripeness, must adjustments, copigmentation strategies, accelerated cut edges, pulse-air, micro-oxygenation, phenolic analysis, alcohol sweet spotting, and blending strategies.

LTS04 | From Grape to Great: Building and Growing Your Wine’s Brand Through Trademarks

9:25AM-10:10AM

Davide Schiavetti, Attorney, Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

A strong brand is one of the most valuable assets a winery can have, but only if it’s protected. This session will explore why trademark registration is essential for wineries, what to keep in mind when choosing a new label or name, and how to preserve its value over the long haul. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to safeguard their brands and leverage their trademarks for long-term growth in a competitive market, ensuring their brands age as gracefully as their finest vintages.

V02 | Regenerative Viticulture #2: Putting It into Practice
Tom Croghan, Executive Winemaker, The Vineyards at Dodon

Regenerative viticulture takes inspiration from the natural world to develop diverse, living vineyard systems. In this session, you will discover how to apply this philosophy to vineyard operations. Tom will cover the common methods, the scientific support behind them, their uses in various settings, and the benefits they provide for the environment and wine quality. Winegrowers, wine producers, wine merchants, vineyard managers, and anyone interested in fostering ecosystem health are encouraged to attend.

10:25 AM – 10:35 AM

Conference Coffee Break

10:40 AM – 11:40 AM

E03 | Smart Strategies for SO₂ Use from Crush to Bottle
Joy Ting, Research Enologist, Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange & Kirsty Harmon, Winemaker, Blenheim Vineyards

Most winemaking textbooks discuss the chemistry of SO₂, and most winemakers are trained to apply it at various stages of production for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, many practical questions remain about its effective use, especially with East Coast grapes and wine. In this seminar, Kirsty Harmon and Joy Ting will share results from several production-scale experiments conducted through the Virginia Winemakers Research Exchange, testing the impact of different SO₂ addition rates at harvest and post-fermentation, as well as an observational study of SO₂ depletion after bottling.

LTS06 | An inside Look at the Wine Road Podcast

10:45AM-11:45AM

Beth Costa, The Wine Road, Sonoma County, CA 

Join us for an inside look at the Wine Road Podcast, where we share the stories behind the wine, the people, and the places of Northern Sonoma County. Beth Costa, one of the hosts will be here to reveal what they’ve learned over 9 years of podcasting. Covering everything from perfecting sound, consistency and their ideal format for creating authentic connections with guests. Discover how storytelling can deepen the bond between wineries and wine lovers! Think about how your podcast can drive traffic to tasting rooms.

V03 | Research Results on Biopesticide Use for Downy Mildew
Dr. Mizuho Nita, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Grape Pathology, Virginia Tech AREC

Grape downy mildew, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, poses a significant threat to grapevines (Vitis spp.), potentially resulting in crop yield reductions of up to 75%. The challenges of managing this disease are compounded by limited fungicide options due to the development of fungicide resistance and possible legal restrictions.

Field trials were conducted  in 2024-2025 to evaluate nine commercially available biopesticides for controlling grape downy mildew. Additional trials were performed in 2025 using combinations of two materials. Preliminary results indicated that combining Zonix with Lifegard or Stargus and Lifegard with Howler EVO resulted in lower average disease intensity than the untreated control. Some of these combinations provided a level of protection comparable to Ranman’s.

11:00 AM – 5:45 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch: A perfect opportunity to network with colleagues while also enjoying a buffet lunch

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

E04 | 2026 Virginia “Governor’s Case” Tasting: White Wines
Christina Sandridge, Executive Director, Virginia Wineries Association

This is the first time the prestigious Governor’s Case wines will be announced in public. At this tasting, Virginia Wineries Association Executive Director Christina Sandridge will announce the white wines that won gold medals and placed in the Governor’s Case, the top 12-scoring wines of the annual Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup Competition. Attendees will taste these wines, and have a chance to ask the winemakers questions.

LTS07 | Leveraging Local Resources to Build a Regional Wine Culture

2:30PM-3:15PM

Stephanie Siegel, Executive Director, Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau

The regional wine industry has become a major economic engine in Ohio’s Grand River Valley. With a talented and creative team, by working together with the public, private and not for profit sectors, the GRV has developed a broad base of community support, generated seed money, identified national trends applicable to the wine industry and grew industry visitation while other areas have seen diminished tourism.

V04 | Factors that Lead to Vineyard Longevity, or Shorten It
Lucie Morton, Viticulturist, Morton Viticulture

The most important criterion for vineyard longevity is to begin with the intention of creating a vineyard that will survive, thrive and produce fruit that meets the goals of your intended market. The best cared-for vineyards are those where the owners are personally involved, and there is a multi-generational dimension with low staff turnover. Lucie will illustrate lessons learned in Mid-Atlantic vineyards going into their second quarter century, including trade-offs with pruning systems designed to follow sap flow. 

 She’ll review the essentials, from the business plan and a professional site evaluation to the choice of varieties (clones), rootstocks, planting density and training systems, and sizing to match mechanical and labor inputs. She’ll also discuss details of site preparation, plant material health, multiple varieties/clones, higher plant density, cane pruning, early vine care, and vineyard sanitation as factors that lead to vine uniformity and age-ability. Being prepared for heat, cold, wet and dry conditions are all part of the equation.

3:40 PM – 4:40 PM

E05 | 2026 Virginia “Governor’s Case” Tasting: Red Wines
Christina Sandridge, Executive Director, Virginia Wineries Association 

Following the Governor’s Case announcement and tasting of white wines, Executive Director Christina Sandridge of the Virginia Wineries Association will unveil the red wines that placed in the Governor’s Cases. Attendees will taste these wines, and have a chance to ask the winemakers questions. This is the first time the prestigious Governor’s Case wines will be announced and tasted as such in public.

LTS09 | Meeting Consumers Where They Are to Build DTC Sales: It Starts in the Tasting Room
Holly Fusco, Hospitality Manager, Dr. Kostantin Frank Winery

A direct to consumers marketing program is essential to every winery’s success. A strong DTC program does not happen by magic. It requires an understanding of the unique wants and needs of various types of consumers. And the achievement of a set DTC goals, the growth of wine clubs and the like, begin with a passionate and knowledgeable staff, with programming to attract those categories of wine consumers and generally with a sense of warm hospitality in the tasting room.  

V05 | Vine Training with Tomorrow in Mind
Sarah Bowman, Viticulture Instructor, Surry Community College & Damien Blanchon, Winemaker, Afton Mountain Vineyards 

Choosing the right vine spacing and pruning system involves weighing numerous factors, including climate, site and variety characteristics, production goals, and cost. Sarah will explore the advantages and disadvantages of cordon/spur versus head/cane pruning systems, as well as different in-row vine spacings based on her observations at Surry Cellars Vineyard in Dobson, NC. 

Damien will explore the trade-offs between spur pruning and cane pruning, emphasizing their impact on wine character, weather resiliency, and vine longevity. Balancing these techniques requires careful consideration of vineyard goals, terroir, and long-term sustainability. He will present the differences based on his experience and observation, the Pros & Cons for each technique, and the differences it makes.

6:00 – 6:30 PM |  Reception

6:30 – 7:45 PM |  Dinner

14th Annual EWE Industry Celebration Reception & Dinner: We’ve expanded the pre-dinner reception to 30 minutes so you’ll have more time to taste the variety of wines offered. Doors open at 6:30pm for the plated dinner. Here, you’ll enjoy more wines from around the East as we toast one of our own during the award presentation. Then we’ll turn the energy up as we move directly into the ASEV-ES auction.

Please note: Pre-registration is required. Registration for the reception & dinner closes March 20.

7:45 PM

ASEV-ES Live Auction: Grab your paddle and start your bidding at this lively fundraiser for industry scholarships. Free entry. Open to all attendees.

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

E06 | New Technology for Improving Flavors in Lower-Ripened Grapes
Richard Carey, Wine Consultant & Technical Wine Journalist, Tamanend Wine Consulting & Wine Business Monthly

One of the challenges of grape harvest choices is choosing the optimum time for harvesting the fruit. Traditional metrics focus on seed development and skin pliability that allows cell contents to be released from the grape cells to the extracted juice. A relatively new metric is rising fast: how to produce wine at lower Brix levels to reduce the alcohol content but not impact flavors. In this session Richard Carey will introduce Agrovin’s Ultrawine Perseo, a recently introduced ultrasound device for reducing potential grape sugar content in the must and providing a more complete extraction than has been previously possible. 

He will explain how this technology works and offer a comparative tasting of the same grapes harvested at two different Brix levels. The wines produced from these two harvests resulted in comparable, if not better-balanced wine, at the lower alcohol level. Most recent work with ultrasound has been with vinifera grapes. When harvesting grapes at lower brix levels, tannins are generally higher than are typically found in physiologically ripe grapes. Since French/American hybrid grapes have higher protein levels than vinifera grapes, it is possible that ultrasound could produce a better-balanced wine from hybrid grapes.

Richard will also present additional winemaking concepts to help increase ultrasound technology’s impact on alcohol levels.

LTS10 | Inbox Impact: Proven Email Marketing Strategies That Work
Brian Matson, Digital Marketing Specialist, TwoSix Digital

8:15AM-9:15AM

During this session, we’ll discuss trends and best practices when it comes to developing and delivering an impactful email marketing program. We’ll explore options when it comes to the use of automated messages, segmentation, and funnels that nurture subscribers in a meaningful way. Today’s email marketing is smart, actionable, and has great potential to be a driving force that supports your greater marketing objectives. In today’s world, every small business or organization should be leveraging email marketing as part of its online strategy. Get a crash course during this portion of the day’s program.

V06 | Vineyard Mechanization Update
Kovie Bowen, Assistant Vineyard Manager, Veritas Vineyard & Winery, Robert Butz, Owner, Windridge Vineyards & Alex Gamez, Vineyard Manager, Stone Tower Vineyard

Robert believes proper vineyard establishment, site preparation and crew training are essential to a successful transition to increased mechanization. He will explain how to prepare your vineyard and crew to maximize the efficiency and profitability of reducing hand labor in the vineyard, and will mention some tools to help in this process.  

Kovie will highlight a few more tools that are beneficial in making vineyard management as efficient and easy as possible: electric pruners and tying machines, leaf removers, and the suckering machine.

Alex will focus on the persistent issue of soil erosion on steep terrain, detailing the practical steps taken to stabilize these slopes, including the use of a 1,200-lb. tandem disk harrow and aerial drone spraying. He will also touch on the adoption of laser bird deterrents and half-track tractors as part of a broader shift toward terrain-adapted vineyard management.

9:15 AM – 2:30 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

9:25 AM – 10:25 AM

E07 | The Chemical & Sensory Life of Red Wine Mouthfeel Components
Federico Casassa, Professor of Enology & Sensory Analysis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

This presentation provides an overview of the main sensory active components in the mouthfeel of red, rosé, and white wines and actionable techniques to adjust their levels. It also provides an overview of the main components of the elusive concept of wine balance and the management and adjustment of its main levers.

V07 | Growing Hybrids for Fine Wine
Eric Aellen, Owner & Vineyard Manager, Linganore Winecellars, Joseph Fiola, Professor and Specialist in Viticulture & Small Fruit & Karl Hambsch, Vineyard Manager & Winemaker Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery

Joe has researched alternative cultivars in the region for 35+ years. His mantra has always been “don’t treat the hybrids like second-class citizens”; manage them as you manage the vinifera in the vineyard, and you will have a much better chance of making quality wines. Key techniques include matching the best training system to the vigor and growth habit of the vines, and closely managing harvest times for specific hybrids, which is critical for optimal chemistry.

Karl will outline the strengths and weaknesses of two hybrid varieties he grows organically, Cayuga White and Marquette. For each, he will discuss cultural considerations, disease resistance/susceptibility, fruit characteristics, and wine styles. 

Eric will focus on Aravelle, a cross of Riesling and Cayuga; and Chambourcin. He typically uses Aravelle for his sparkling program. Chambourcin is his main blending red that he has in eight different wines that range from 0 to 12% R.S. Eric believes if you struggle with downy, this one might be for you.

10:25 AM – 11:15 AM

Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

E08 | Making Stellar Hybrid Wines
Dr. Joe Fiola, Professor and Specialist in Viticulture & Small Fruit, Jocelyn Kuzelka, Winemaker Daring Wine Co. & Ray Mitcham, Head Winemaker, Linganore Winecellars

While the hybrids have always had advantages in the vineyard, they present some unique challenges in the winery. Joe has worked with hybrids for decades and will detail how lower Brix levels than with vinifera cultivars usually require chaptalization, and the timing of additions can be critical; YAN levels can vary greatly, the acid profiles can lead to high pH/high TA musts, hybrid pigments respond differently to pH changes, and the tannin/phenolic profiles of hybrids vary greatly from vinifera must, so manipulation and/or blending are often necessary. 

Jocelyn, winemaker at Daring Wine Co. in southern VA will pour her 2023 Ann’s Cuvee, a blend of 90% Vidal Blanc and 10% Traminette. She’ll explain improving fruit quality by managing vigor in the vineyard, adapting winemaking techniques to let the fruit shine through, and some cultural challenges about “hybrids” from both the trade and consumers. 

Ray will discuss the use of “sacrificial” tannins during red fermentations and the use of oak and finishing tannins. With the whites, he’ll discuss managing acidity and getting as good results with taking wines through partial or full ML than with using fining agents, and will pour Linganore’s 2024 dry Vignoles to demonstrate how the above techniques help tame acidity and create a more approachable wine without adding sugar.

LTS13 | Updates From DC and The Wine Institute 
Michael Kaiser, Vice President, WineAmerica & Terri Beirne, Eastern Counsel Wine Institute

10:40AM-11:40AM

Michael Kaiser: WineAmerica is the national industry voice in Washington, DC. As the industry faces unprecedented challenges, he will touch on the major issues being addressed by Congress, the Administration, our regulators as well as update on the growing anti-alcohol movement coming from a wide range of sources. 

Terri Beirne: updates on the major new initiatives by the Wine Institute. An update on the major marketing initiatives created by the Wine Institute.  She will provide and overview and update of the “Share Wine’ project which focused on wine professionals looking to reach out to a consumer base. Their new “We Grow Wine” is an initiative focused on policy makers. 

V08 | Optimizing Your Crop Load in a Soft Market
Eric Aellen, Owner & Vineyard Manager, Linganore Winecellars & John Saunders, Co-Owner, Silver Creek Orchards

In a soft market, optimizing your vineyard’s crop load becomes even more crucial for maintaining profitability and quality. Eric will discuss some key strategies to consider: understanding demand, prioritizing quality vs. quantity, precision pruning and cluster thinning strategies, as well as pest and disease management. John will focus on balancing the vineyard by maintaining low vigor at harvest while producing a moderate crop of fruit; ensuring vine nutrition through soil samples, tissue analyses, spraying foliar nutrients, and irrigating as needed with the right protocol after veraison. 

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Exhibit Hall Walk-Around Lunch: Enjoy food stations and a chance to meet with the reps on the show floor. Lunch sponsored by the exhibitors.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

E09 | Acid Adjustment & Management Techniques
Federico Casassa, Professor of Enology & Sensory Analysis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Join Dr. Federico Casassa for an in-depth review of the basics and theory of acid chemistry and biochemistry in red wines, with a practical focus at managing acidity, pH, and metals in red wines. Methods to be discussed include blocking malolactic fermentation, ion exchange, and microbial solutions (Lachancea thermotolerans).

LTS14 | The Role of Low and No Alcohol Wines in Your Portfolio
Rachel Martin, Co-Founder, CEO, and Winemaker, Oceano Wines

Turning Moderation into Profit: Non-alcoholic wine is no longer a niche, it’s a fast-growing category reshaping the way people drink. Valued at $1.12 billion in the U.S. in 2023 and projected to hit $1.72 billion by 2030. The market is driven by consumers who want to moderate without giving up the wine experience. For wineries, this creates new revenue streams, attracts fresh audiences, and keeps loyal customers engaged even as they drink less.

This session breaks down the essentials: where the demand is coming from, how to engage and market to these new consumers, how production choices shape quality, what compliance, labeling rules you need to know, and where the strongest opportunities lie in direct-to-consumer sales.

V09 | Pierce’s Disease Control Technologies for Eastern X.fastidiosa Strains
Jacy Lewis, Program Manager, Viticulture & Fruit, TAMU AgriLife Extension

Jacy will provide a grower-focused update on recently completed research in central Texas on the efficacy of a phage biocontrol product for management of Pierce’s Disease under high disease pressure, and the field performance of newly released PD-resistant varieties. She will also discuss the importance of establishing a universal definition of resistance to PD; management implications for utilization of resistant and tolerant varieties; and the potential role of strain specificity in influencing the efficacy of biocontrol technologies.

3:40 PM – 4:40 PM

E10 | Mouthfeel Tools for Low/No Alcohol Wines
Laura Cypress, East Coast & Midwest Technical Winemaker, Laffort USA
& Gabriel Rubilar, Winemaker & Consultant

This session explores practical strategies to build mouthfeel in non- and low-alcohol wines, focusing on enological tools such as tannins, polysaccharides, and mannoproteins. Aimed at winemakers of all experience levels—including those experimenting with no/low for the first time—it addresses common sensory challenges such as thinness, lack of structure, and imbalance. Attendees will come away with a clear understanding of how to select and apply mouthfeel-enhancing tools, with real-world examples to support successful integration into their winemaking process. Tasting included.

LTS15 | Building the Best Possible Team: Creating Cohesion Using True Colors
Donniella Winchell, Executive Director, Ohio Wine Producers Association

A Fun Exercise: Using ‘True Colors’ to Create Team Cohesion. The concept of personality colors, popularized by examples like the song “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper, and books like Surrounded by Idiots, Thomas Erikson, uses a four-color system—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—to represent different personality traits and communication styles for easier understanding and interaction. Each color is associated with distinct characteristics. While everyone possesses all these color energies to varying degrees, identifying one’s dominant color can help improve communication and teamwork by adjusting to others’ preferred styles. Take this exercise back to your winery to build a stronger, more collaborative team.

V10 | Spray Adjuvants & Their Strategic Uses
Dave Myers, Extension Educator, Agriculture, University of Maryland

Pesticide spray adjuvants are essential additives that significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of pesticide applications. While they don’t possess pesticidal properties themselves, they play a crucial role in ensuring that the active ingredients reach their target and perform optimally. By understanding the diverse roles of pesticide adjuvants and adhering to correct usage guidelines, applicators can significantly improve the performance of their pest control strategies, leading to more effective pest management, increased crop yields, and enhanced sustainability. Adjuvants are generally placed into two categories: activators or spray modifiers, and I’ll provide more specifics in my presentation. The correct selection and usage of adjuvants is paramount to maximize benefits and to avoid potential problems such as crop injury, reduced efficacy, and environmental harm.