Pinot Noir Festival 2024 Schedule of Events

Reaching New Heights, 2024 Technical Conference

Friday, May 17th 8:30am – 4:00 pm
Mendocino Fairgrounds

Within the trajectory of every main wine region, the early years of discovery and trial are essential to growth. As regions mature, the farming and winemaking mindset, wine styles and even the varieties shift towards a more complete vision of “who we want to be when we grow up.” Join us as we lean into a retrospective of Anderson Valley’s strengths, along with the learnings propelling us to a new place of excellence and rigor.

MORNING SESSIONS:

• Vision for Farming in the Next 40 Years in AV: Vintners and experts will discuss farming for the future, including resource use efficiency for water & soil, a recent milestone achievement in water rights for two of the region’s vineyards, climate resiliency, and pest and disease management. Moderated by Christopher Chen, University of California ANR.
• Getting High (Elevation) in Anderson Valley: Winemakers and farmers will discuss the unique characteristics of farming and making wine from the eastern and western ridges. A comparative tasting will help the audience explore the farming and winemaking nuances vs. the wines of the valley floor. Moderated by Wine Writer Deborah Parker Wong.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS:

• What Grows Together, Goes Together:  How Anderson Valley Pinot Noir compliments food, specifically the cuisine found locally in this cool coastal area, in partnership with CIA Greystone. Moderated by Sommelier Traci Dutton.
• The Positioning of Anderson Valley in the Marketplace:  A conversation about how Anderson Valley is compared vs. other Pinot Noir regions in the marketplace. Moderated by Sommelier Melissa Smith.