Hot Topics on Agenda for Viticulture 2007
The business climate is just as important as the weather climate when it comes to the grape and wine industry. You need a favorable climate to grow good grapes, and you need a good business climate to grow the industry. That’s why the Viticulture 2007 conference will focus on issues important to grape growers and processors.
Viticulture 2007, an international conference for grape growers and processors from over 25 states and several countries, will take place at the Rochester (NY) Riverside Convention Center on February 7-9. A complete program, lodging information, and on-line registration form are available at http://www.viticulture2007.org. Among the “hot topics”:
“Do’s and Don’ts—What’s Legal and Not in the Wine Business” leads off the series of seminars on Wednesday afternoon, February 7, with a panel discussion on both federal and state laws. Panelists include Joshua Toas, Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Liquor Authority in Albany; Perky Ramroth of the federal Tax and Trade Bureau’s San Francisco office; and Charles Cramton, Assistant Dean of Legal Graduate Studies at Cornell University and legal counsel to the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Mr. Cramton recently completed an extensive update of the New York State Winery Handbook reflecting significant changes in the law.
“The Business Climate—Albany and Washington Outlook” couldn’t be a more timely subject, given a new Administration in Albany after 12 years and a sea change in Washington politics with Democrats now having a majority in both houses. Panelists include Julie Suarez, Manager of Governmental Relations for New York Farm Bureau in Albany and Bill Nelson, President of Washington-based WineAmerica, the national organization of American wineries. In addition, an important international perspective will be added by Jim Finkle, Senior Vice President for External Affairs for Constellation Brands, and President of the Paris-based International Federation of Wine and Spirits.
“Immigration/Labor Outlook: Update on Immigration Reform” is of vital interest not only to the grape and wine industry, but all of agriculture, and political changes in Washington create new questions along with renewed hope for a reasonable solution. Speakers on the front lines of the issue include Mary Jo Dudley, Director of the Cornell Migrant Program; Bill Nelson of WineAmerica; Julie Suarez of Farm Bureau; and Karen Ross, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
“Wastewater Management Issues for Wineries” is an area that needs to be better understood in order to ensure environmentally responsible practices and the avoidance of severe penalties in the case of noncompliance. John Martini of Anthony Road Wine Company will lead a panel of other industry representatives along with an official from the Department of Environmental Conversation.
“Access to Capital—Financing the Farm” contains a touch of irony: The wine industry is the fastest growing segment of New York’s two largest economic sectors (agriculture and tourism), and yet wineries have a very difficult time securing capital for start-up or expansion. Panelists will include Mike Gerber, President of Farm Credit of New York; Lee Baulac, Vice President, Rural Opportunities, Inc.; and Barbara Insel, Managing Director of MKF Research. A big part of the problem is the major disconnect between the industry and financial companies, which simply do not understand one another’s business models. Barbara Insel will unveil a “Benchmarking Study” sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation as the beginning of a solution.
“Farm Business Management: How to Prosper in Today’s Agricultural Market” is part of “grape juice day” on Friday, February 9. This interactive seminar and brainstorming session will stress that change is a terrible thing to waste, and that current challenges may morph into future opportunities. Panelists include Jeff Berkuwicz, Community Solutions; Barry Shaffer, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Lake Erie Regional Grape Program; and Jim Joy, Grape Grower and Director, National Grape Cooperative.
Viticulture 2007 is sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in conjunction with Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension. For 2007, this conference combines the annual regional conferences of Cooperative Extension as well as the Wine Industry Workshop. Full information about the conference, as well as the capability for on-line registration, is available at http://www.viticulture2007.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Trezise , jimtrezise@nywgf.org