Wine Industry Report

Lake County Winegrape Commission Posts Transcripts from the First International Conference

Lake County, Calif. - Oenophiles who missed the First International High Altitude Viticultural and Winemaking Symposium on June 14 in Lake County can now view the transcripts of the event online.

“This symposium was one of the most important events to high altitude grape growing to date,” said Clay Shannon, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “The discussions that took place laid the foundation for important and continuing dialogue among high elevation grape growers around the globe.”

Leading experts in the field from regions throughout the world traveled to Lake County to share their research, experiences, views and expert opinions. Speakers included Randle Johnson of Hess Collection Winery, Napa and Columé Winery, Argentina; Gregory V. Jones, Ph.D. of Southern Oregon University; Leo McCloskey, Ph.D. of Enologix; Glenn McGourty of UC Davis Extension; Vince Bonotto of Sterling Vineyards/Diageo; Paul Skinner, Ph.D. of Terra Spase Consulting; Dr. Vittorino Novello, Chairman of the Dept. of Viticulture, University of Torino, Italy; Jim Gordon, Editor of Wines & Vines Magazine; Philip Shaw, Philip Shaw Wines, Orange, Australia; Ernesto Bajda, Bodega Catena Zapata, Argentina; Bill Easton, Domaine de la Terre Rouge, Amador County, California; Paul Wagner, Napa Valley College and Balzac Communications; Jeff Prather, The Wine Merchant at Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA; Wilfred Wong, Beverages & More!; and Ronn Weigand, MW, MS, Publisher of Restaurant Wine.

Topics focused on the climate and terroir of high altitude and its researched effects on vines and grapes. Academics, viticulturists and winemakers presented extensive hands-on experience at altitude and its impact on vineyard management, winemaking, sensory analysis and human health. Topics included: The Terroir of High Altitude, The Climate of High Altitude -

Characteristics of Light, Temperature and Weather at High Altitude; Measurable Effects of Altitude on Grape Wine Quality; Viticulture Up High; Winemaking - Taming the Intensity; and Marketing - From Mountain to Table.

Event Sponsors included Lake County Winegrape Commission, Snows Lake Vineyard, Beckstoffer Amber Knolls, Bella Vista Farming, Brassfield Estate Nova Winegrape Brokers, Obsidian Ridge Vineyards, Shannon Ridge Winery, Six Sigma Winery, and Tallman Hotel.

Interested parties can view the transcripts at www.theelevationofwine.org/transcripts/2007