2023 Annual Conference & Trade Show Workshops

The TWGGA 2023 Annual Conference & Trade Show features engaging educational sessions presented by wine and grape industry experts. Discover sessions on how the legislative session will impact you and your business, solutions for labor shortages and challenges, updates from TABC, marketing strategies, and more!

Sessions and schedule are subject to change.

Jump to: Tuesday Schedule | Wednesday Schedule | Thursday Schedule

Welcome From President
Glena Yates, Spicewood Vineyards

TABC Update

Legislative Update
Kyle Frazier, TWGGA Legislative Advocate

Protecting Your Investment: Updates in Insurance and State Programs for Vineyard Owners
Vineyard Track
Jeffrey Vanlandingham, Hudson Insurance Group; Quentin Hart, Tarpon Blue; Kat Neilson, Texas Department of Agriculture

Rules and Regulations: Anything New?
Winery Track
Kimberly Frost, Martin Frost & Hill; TABC Representative

Converting a Social Media Presence Into Tasting Room Sales
Tasting Room Track
Brice Garrett, Serrano Wines

Hospitality in Wine: Successful Options for Engaging Your Customers
Business Management Track
Carl Hudson, Texas Wine Collective

Novel Technologies in Viticulture and Other Horticulture Crops
Vineyard Track
Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University

So, You Have a Winery…What I Wish I Knew When I Started: A Panel Discussion With Wine Owners at Every Stage
Winery Track
Michael McClendon, Sage’s Vintage (Moderator); Chris McIntosh, Edge of the Lake Vineyard; Ron Yates, Spicewood Vineyards/Ron Yates; Susan Johnson, Texas Heritage Vineyard

What’s So Special About Sagrantino? Discussion and Tasting About This Up-and-Coming Variety (Ticketed Tasting)
Tasting Room Track
Amie Nemec, Author; Paul M. Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery; Rob Nida, Pebble Rock Cellars; Brock Estes, Fly Gap Winery; John Rivenburgh, Kerrville Hills Winery

Trademarks and Tannins: An Intro to Protecting Your Name and Logo
Business Management Track
Lee B. Hunt, Kelly Hart

New Varieties: Hybrid Wines (Ticketed Tasting—SOLD OUT!)
Vineyard Track
Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist, Texas A&M University (Moderator); Donald Clark, Ph.D., Valle della Pace Vineyards & Winery; Fran Pontasch, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Kevin Klenke, Loblolly Pines Vineyard

Nonconventional Yeast Fermentations
Winery Track
Ali Rouse, Scott Labs

From Zero to Hero: Easy Steps to Build Your Social Media Presence
Tasting Room Track
Caroline Bradley, Scenarios Media

Labor Shortages and Solutions
Business Management Track
Jim Monteith, Apprenticeship & Training Representative, Department of Labor; Sabrina Houser-Amaya, Owner, The Bracero Group

Uncorking Haloanisoles in Wine
Vineyard Track
Abigail Keng, Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture Sciences, Texas A&M University

A Successful Approach to Alternative Packaging
Winery Track
Tyler Franzen, Enartis; Michael McClendon, Sage’s Vintage

How to Start Selling Your Wine Before You Build Your Winery
Business Management Track
Wes Jensen, Sage’s Vintage (Moderator); Greg Stokes, Bending Branch Winery; Cary Franklin, Texas Custom Wine Works; John Rivenburgh, Kerrville Hills Winery

Ask Me Anything
Business Management Track
Kimberly Frost, Martin Frost & Hill

How to Keep the Romance in Your Vineyard: Top Mistakes to Avoid
Vineyard Track
Michael Cook, Viticulture Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Real-Life Application on Winery Efficiency
Winery Track
Barbara Lecuona, Siboney Cellars; Rob Nida, Pebble Rock Cellars; Jason Englert, Grape Creek Vineyards

Peak Behind the Curtain of a Wine Competition and Learn Why They Are Important (Ticketed Tasting)
Tasting Room Track
Amie Nemec, Author; Bryan Chagoly, Top Texas Wines

VineRoots: Positive Growth Through Legislative Action
Business Management Track
Kyle Frazier, TWGGA Legislative Advocate

Leading Winter-Injured Vines Through Climate Insecurity
Vineyard Track
Fran Pontasch, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Moderator); Michael Cook, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Bri Crowley, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Danny Hillin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Improvements in Cellar/Crush Pad Efficiency
Winery Track
Mark Chick, Bucher Vaslin

Sip, Savor, Socialize: Creating Winery Events That Marry Food and Wine (Ticketed Tasting)
Tasting Room Track
Britt Davis, Owner, Britt’s Wine & Dine

New Ways Consumers Can Find Texas Wines
Business Management Track
Amie Nemec, Author; Jeff Cope, Texas Wine Lover; Clay Roup, Texas Wine Club; Sara Wagner, Sommly.com

200% Texas: Extracting Bold Reds (Phenolic Extraction Session With Wine Tasting) (Ticketed Tasting)
Vineyard Track
Bob Young, Bending Branch Winery

Prepping Yourself for Bottle Prep
Winery Track
Maureen Qualia, Texas Tech University

Best Practices for Tasting Room Success
Tasting Room Track
Jennifer Warrington, The Glue, WISE

Marketing to the Hispanic Community
Business Management Track
Rafael Ruiz, Alta Casta Group

“Fermenting Sustainability” in the Texas Wine Industry
Vineyard Track
Colleen C. Myles, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University

Crush Report for Crop Year 2021
Vineyard Track
Justin Scheiner, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist, Texas A&M University

Not if, But When You Get Audited: What to Expect
Business Management Track
Meredith Eaton, Firelight Vineyards; Karen Bonarrigo, Messina Hof; Patrick Whitehead, Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard