Schedule is subject to change. More session information coming soon.

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• Friday, February 23
• Saturday, February 24

Clearing the Air: SO2 Alternative Strategies (Winery Track)
Ali Rouse, CS, Field Sales Representative, Scott Labs

Texas is rife with challenging grape chemistries, but what if your numbers limit the efficacy of the SO2 you apply? This presentation will provide an overview of different products to be used in conjuction with or as an alternative to the traditional SO2 regimen. This information comes at a time when many consumers are being more selective about what chemicals they put in their bodies, and marketing a low or no SO2 wine could be advantageous in the future (if you can keep your microbial populations at bay!).

After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Wine & Viticulture program, Ali Rouse spent 8 +- years working in the Temecula Valley for South Coast Winery as an intern, lab tech, and then enologist. During her time in Southern California, she helped develop a wine program at a local San Diego bistro and provided wine training protocols for the staff. She earned her Certified Sommelier certificate in 2017 and taught college courses at a community college in Northern San Diego from 2018–2019. Immediately following this, she moved to Texas and had the opportunity to work at a few of the wineries on the 290 Wine Trail before signing on with Scott Labs in 2021.

How Will We Keep Producing the Highest Quality Grapes? (Vineyard Track)
Amit Dhingra, PhD, Head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University

In this presentation, perspectives will be shared on how a combination of current and emerging technologies and practices will help us in ensuring the production of highest quality grapes to support the growth of the Texas wine industry.

Dr. Amit Dhingra is the Head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Professor of Genomics and Biotechnology, and Senior Scientist at the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University. After his post-doctoral training at Rutgers University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida, he joined Washington State University in 2006 and, in 2021, moved his program to Texas A&M University. Over the last 15 years, his research has focused on understanding how plants respond to their environment including grapevine responses to heat, drought, and smoke.

Cash Flow: As Required as Wine Flow (Business/Marketing Track)
Becky Hesson, Founder, ANJUDI3

Join us for an insightful talk on understanding and managing cash flow in the unique context of wines. This session will explore the financial intricacies specific to the wine industry, providing winery owners, managers, and other wine professionals with practical strategies to optimize cash flow. From vineyard operations and production costs, to tasting room revenue and distribution channels, we’ll delve into the key factors influencing cash flow for wineries. Learn how to leverage financial insights to make informed decisions, weather seasonal variations, and ensure the financial sustainability of your winery. Whether you’re a seasoned vintner or a budding entrepreneur in the wine business, this talk promises valuable insights to uncork the potential of your winery’s financial success.

Founder Becky Hesson launched ANJUDI3 to offer exceptional bookkeeping services to specialty beverage creators. The name is derived from the initials of three German exchange students—Anja, Julia, and Diana—whom Becky hosted during high school. Combining a background in the tech industry and partial ownership of Willamette Valley Vineyards, Becky is LEAD certified in California, a Texas Wine & Grape Growers member since 2020, and joined the Texas Craft Brewers Guild in 2023. With more than 25 years leading global tech teams, she leverages her vast network to foster lasting connections, ensuring organizations not only grow, but also thrive. Holding a BS in business with a minor in computer science from Oregon State University, Becky excels in providing bookkeeping and accounting services to breweries, wineries, and distilleries, supporting them in software usage and integration for optimal business success.

Vines & Visions: Spotlight on Women in Winemaking (Tasting)
Amie Nemec, Texas Wine Lover (Moderator); Angela Chapman, Lost Oak Winery; Cassiopeia Roberson-Mull, Llano Estacado; Julie Kuhlken, PhD, Pedernales Cellars; Sherah Mills, Rustic Spur Vineyards; Elisa Jones, Elisa Christopher Wines

Taste wines from the dynamic women of the Texas wine industry! Learn about their unique winemaking styles and perspectives of production, as well as what challenges and benefits they have experienced in a largely male-dominated industry.

With a degree in aviation, a background as a pilot, and then a career in healthcare, Amie Nemec came to the Texas Hill Country wine industry with a love for digging deep into what interests her. She started studying wine in 2004 and completed her first sommelier exam in 2011. After founding Perspective Cellars tasting room in Fredericksburg, she was ready to dive into production. With experience at Hilmy, Adega Vinho, and Whisper Path she now writes wine articles for websites, such as TXWineLover.com, Sommly.com, and TopTexasWines.com, and for publications including Texas Monthly, Rock and Vine, and The Fredericksburg Standard. With two harvests in California under her belt, she is close to completing a book about her journey in wine to be published in 2024. Expect to see Amie connecting people, sharing bottles, and spreading the gospel of Texas wine for years to come!

Angela Chapman has been in the wine and spirits industry since 2010, and has been studying wine, winemaking, and spirits even longer. Angela has experience in all aspects of the business from the vineyard and winemaking to managing the tasting room and wine club at Lost Oak Winery.

Julie Kuhlken, PhD, is CEO and co-owner of Pedernales Cellars, located in Stonewall in the Texas Hill Country. A well-versed wine professional, she has earned the Level III award from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has served as President of the Texas Hill Country Winery Association. She currently serves as co-chair of its marketing committee of the Texas Hill Country Winery Association, as well as on the board of the Economic Development Commission for Gillespie County. As a graduate of Stanford University and former academic, she is the author of a book and numerous articles in the field of philosophy, including essays on wine and philosophy.

Sherah Mills of Rustic Spur and Kerrville Hills Winery grew up in Bastrop and began her education at Tarleton State University. Around the same time, her parents moved to Stonewall to pursue their dream of starting a vineyard. In 2014, she transferred to Texas Tech and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in plant and soil science. Today, Mills manages the family’s Rustic Spur Vineyard, where she found an early mentor in winemaker and consultant John Rivenburgh. She works hand-in-hand with her parents both at Rustic Spur and Vintner’s Hideaway, which they opened in downtown Fredericksburg in 2018.

Elisa Jones is co-owner and winemaker at Elisa Christopher Wines in Johnson City, Texas.. Elisa and her husband, Christopher, were childhood friends who grew up on vineyards. They met again later in life, married, and now make wines together.

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Innovative Solutions for Winery Sustainability: Worm Beds, Regulatory Navigation, and Practical Winemaking (Winery Track)
Sarah Haupt, BioFiltro; Jason Ferguson, FBG Engineering

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring experts Sarah Haupt, Jason Ferguson, and Tim Drake. This session, titled “Innovative Solutions for Winery Sustainability,” will delve into cutting-edge environmental practices and regulatory insights crucial for the modern winery.

Sarah Haupt is a sales engineer at BioFiltro. Before BioFiltro, Sarah started and then led her own electrical engineering company for 10 years where she specialized in solar and EV charging infrastructure. She lives in Woodland with her husband and son, has two dogs, and loves spending her free time in the great outdoors! Sarah holds a BS in biological sciences from UC Davis and worked as the dairy herd manager while attending school.

Jason Ferguson is a Fredericksburg native, and for the last 10 years he’s helped more than 4 dozen wineries in the Texas Hill Country navigate drinking water and wastewater issues with TCEQ. Last year, he and business partner Will Weinheimer started FBG Engineering to focus on helping small businesses in their community make good infrastructure decisions from the ground up. When he’s not in the office, Jason can be found playing catch-up on the family ranch or pick-up with one of his nine children.

Grape Insurance 101: A Federal Crop Insurance Tutorial/Grape Insurance Essentials (Vineyard Track)
Lori Annuschat, USDA; Quentin Hart, Tarpon Blue

Join Lori Annuschat, grape specialist for Risk Management Agency, as she explains the various Federal Crop Insurance programs offered to grape growers. The Multi-Peril Grape program, Grapevine mortality, Whole Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm plans will be discussed. Time has been set aside to answer your questions and help you get started on the path to protecting your investment.

Quentin Hart has been involved in the agricultural industry his entire life. From a youngster, Quentin began working on his family’s farm and ranch operation, and then eventually, along with his wife Loree, owned and operated his own farm in the Texas panhandle where they raised wheat, corn, and milo while running a stocker cattle operation. In 1996 Quentin had the opportunity to put his education to use and accepted a job with USDA as an agricultural statistician. In 2021, after 25 years of service, Quentin retired from USDA. His desire to work within the agricultural industry led him to pursue and earn his Texas insurance license. Through his work with USDA and his previous agricultural experience, Quentin has a world of knowledge of the Texas agricultural industry and is looking forward to working with producers to help manage the enormous risk they face as a normal part of doing business. Quentin received a BS in sgricultural rconomics from Texas Tech University.

Session Sponsored by Tarpon Blue

Wine Club Focus: How Do We Do More With Less? (Business/Marketing Track)
Jennifer Warrington, WISE; Andrew Kamphuis, Commerce7

If we can engage a customer in the tasting room, and then re-engage with them online, the club signup process becomes smoother, easier, and faster. In today’s economic climate, attracting new customers and growing your wine club has never been more important. How can we acquire new members? Keep current members? We’ll talk about strategies for growing and maintaining a healthy wine club from the physical tasting room, to the online store, and review five of the most popular subscription clubs in the world.

Jennifer Warrington is an industry professional with more than 25 years of experience, including her time with WISE. She began her career in the wine industry working for Lesley Berglund (Co-Founder & Chairman of WISE) at Ambrosia Wine Catalogue/The Winetasting Network shortly after completing her BA in English Literature. In her role as The Glue, Jennifer oversees all things WISE: WISE Operations which includes spearheading the WISE Mystery Shopping Program (now over 6,000 shops); overseeing content development; coaching; account management of WISE wineries; oversees marketing programs; moderates WISE Cabinets; coordinates, schedules, and communicates with coaches, attendees and winery partners for a robust class schedule of 30+ courses and onsite training programs throughout California, Oregon, Washington, New York and more.

Andrew Kamphuis is the founder and president of Commerce7, a leading direct-to-consumer sales platform designed to empower wineries with the right technology and tools to deliver exceptional customer experiences every step along the way. With over 1,700 wineries worldwide using Commerce7’s technology, the company generates turnovers exceeding $1 billion annually. Andrew’s track record in the software industry is a testament to his expertise and dedication. As a forward-thinking and results-driven business development professional, Andrew’s skills in software development, sales, wine, marketing strategy, and digital marketing are second to none. His commitment to excellence and extraordinary vision have propelled Commerce7 to the forefront of innovation in the wine industry.

Finding Balance at the Finishing Line (Tasting)
Maureen Qualia, Texas Tech University

You’ve made your wine, you’ve aged your wine, and you’ve put final blends together, but something is just not quite balanced. What are your options? There are countless products available from every enological supplier to help you finish your wines. This presentation will introduce you to finishing tannins, oak extracts, polysaccharides, and mannoprotein products. We will discuss how you determine what products might be good for a given wine, how to set up bench trials, and taste several samples.

Maureen Qualia is a senior lecturer of enology at Texas Tech University based at the Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. She received a BS in nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in enology from California State University at Fresno. Maureen has actively worked in commercial wine production for more than 15 years in both California and Texas. At Texas Tech, she developed and teaches courses for the Winemaking Certificate Program, which is designed for wine industry entrepreneurs, winemakers, cellar workers, and prospective winery employees.

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Synergic Technologies: Academic and Industry Tools to Assess Grape and Wine Phenolics (Winery Track)
Diana Zamora-Olivares, PhD, The University of Texas at Austin; Keaton Crow, Bound

The impact of extreme weather events on grape and wine quality is quantifiable. We review various strategies, technologies, and platforms developed by academia and industry to measure grape and wine phenolics and discuss key insights these tools bring to improving wine’s subjective craft.

Dr. Diana Zamora-Olivares is the codirector of the UT-Wine Initiative and Assistant Professor of Practice in the Freshman Research Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research has focused on the application of the differential sensing method to classify wine, and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to characterize the metabolic profile of Texas grapevines. Current applications include the classification of wine varieties, blends, hang-on time on the vines, vineyards, vintage, and regions.

Keaton Crow is a winemaker and the cofounder of www.bound.wine, an online wine database dedicated to making grape and wine information more accessible. Keaton believes phenolics are the most important compounds to understand wine style and make informed decisions in the vineyard and winery. They are highly influential in financial decisions, such as evaluating grape quality and managing environmental variables like timing, temperature, oxidation, movement, and matrix. Keaton’s specialty is with the Adams-Harbertson Phenolics Assay conceived by UC Davis and perfected by Bound’s strategic partners, WINEXRAY.

Innovative Strategies to Manage Volatile Acidity (Vineyard Track)
Michael McGeary, Enartis

Volatile acidity is a problem for all winemakers throughout the world, but Texas has a unique set of challenges that make VA management especially difficult. Learn about the various techniques, products, and technologies that can help limit VA and allow your wines to achieve their full potential. From grape to bottle, there are many new innovative strategies that can help every winemaker.

Michael McGeary began his wine career in restaurants, training to be a sommelier. His path shifted after working a 2012 harvest in Napa, California, where he discovered a passion for winemaking. He spent 4 more years in Napa while also working harvests throughout the world. He eventually obtained an MSc in Viticulture and Enology from HES-SO Changins in Switzerland. Having returned to the U.S. in 2018, Michael is now the Enartis Technical Representative for the Southern United States. He appreciates the diversity in winemaking approaches, recognizing that each situation demands a unique solution.

Session Sponsored by Enartis

Corks and Compliance: Wine Laws in the Lone Star State (Business/Marketing Track)
Kimberly Frost, Martin, Frost & Hill

This session explores what you need to know about Texas and federal permitting and compliance for your winery.

Kimberly Frost, partner at Martin Frost & Hill in Austin, represents wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, retailers, and those that serve the beverage alcohol industry in Texas and all over the country on federal and state permitting, compliance, labeling, and legislative matters.

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So, You Want to Start a Winery? (Winery Track)
Maureen Qualia, Texas Tech University

Newcomers to the wine industry often have a glamorized (and often unrealistic) view of owning and operating a winery. Learn about the essential considerations you need to understand about this multifaceted business before you get started. We will have an honest conversation of what it takes and how to minimize the pitfalls.

Maureen Qualia is a senior lecturer of enology at Texas Tech University based at the Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. She received a BS in nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in enology from California State University at Fresno. Maureen has actively worked in commercial wine production for more than 15 years in both California and Texas. At Texas Tech, she developed and teaches courses for the Winemaking Certificate Program, which is designed for wine industry entrepreneurs, winemakers, cellar workers, and prospective winery employees.

Top Texas-Sized Mistakes to Avoid When Establishing a New Vineyard (Vineyard Track)
Justin Scheiner, PhD, Texas A&M University; Michael Cook, Texas A&M University

Grab a seat and learn the process for minimizing risk and maximizing success when planning to establish a vineyard in Texas. We will walk you through the process from start to finish. Empahsis will be placed on proper timeline planning, common business models, site selection, major challenges and risks, varieties, and economics.

Justin Scheiner is an Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His Extension responsibilities include educational programming and technical support for grape growers in areas of Texas affected by Pierce’s Disease. His research program focuses on best management practices for vineyards in Texas, including practices to improve fruit quality, rootstocks and new varieties, and cover cropping. He is a member of the graduate faculty at Texas A&M, and he teaches undergraduate courses in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Michael Cook is the Viticulture Program Specialist for the 55 counties of North Texas with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His primary function is to provide educational support for the nearly 120 commercial vineyards in the region by providing workshops, programs, educational materials, and one-on-one site visits with growers. He also collaborates with colleagues on applied research initiatives across the state. Michael is a Dallas native and studied Horticulture at Texas A&M University. He was then awarded a fellowship to California State University-Fresno, where he earned a MSc. in Viticulture & Enology with Dr. Kaan Kurtural. He conducted research in collaboration with Bronco Wine Company to improve the phenolic profile of red cultivars grown under hot climate.

Maximizing Marketing Strategies for Success (Business/Marketing Track)
Sammy Lam, Wanderlust Wine Co.

Discover the fundamental pillars of achieving success in wine marketing, including brand awareness, storytelling, and visitor education at wineries. Gain practical insights into elevating your winery’s presence, crafting compelling narratives that resonate, and implementing effective strategies to educate and engage visitors. Whether you’re a seasoned vintner or budding wine entrepreneur, this session offers valuable insights to uncork new opportunities and raise a toast to success in the competitive wine industry.

Sammy Lam is owner and founder of Wanderlust Wine Co., recognized as the world’s largest wine-on-tap winery situated in Austin, Texas with three current locations. With over a decade of experience in the wine industry, his journey spans from production and packaging to sales and hospitality. Sammy has completed prestigious programs, including the OIV MSc in Wine Management by Montpellier SupAgro and the OIV, the Winemaking Certification Program by Northwest Wine Academy, Advanced Wine Certificate by the International Sommelier Guild, and Wine Marketing Certificates by UC Davis and the OIV. Most recently, he achieved the Level 4 Diploma by WSET.

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How to AVOID the Spotlight (When You Don’t Want It): Best Practices in Sanitation (Winery Track)
John Plato, ATPGroup

Join us for an insightful seminar addressing the critical role of cutting-edge cleaning and sanitation practices in safeguarding the integrity and reputation of Texas wineries. Explore industry-specific solutions to enhance wine quality, uphold your brand integrity, and ensure the continued success of the thriving Texas winemaking regions. Texas’s unique combination of weather, soil, and grape varieties poses distinct challenges for winemakers. The threat of microorganisms and contaminants impacting the final product looms large, as a single consumer issue can irreversibly tarnish a wine’s reputation. Proactive measures are essential to shield your brand’s integrity and avert such scenarios. This seminar will equip winemakers with invaluable concepts for implementing cleaning and sanitation solutions tailored to their wineries, prioritizing the safety of both employees and customers.

John Plato is Cleaning & Sanitation Specialist for ATPGroup. ATPGroup was founded as a family business in 1991 with just four people selling a single product. That product, tartaric acid, provided its original name of American Tartaric Products, which was later changed to ATPGroup to reflect the ever-growing portfolio of products and services. Now a leading supplier to the wine, beer, food, and pharmaceutical markets, ATPGroup strives to provide solutions and create value for our customers in each of the industries we serve. 

Road Map to Establishing an AVA (Vineyard Track)
Justin Scheiner, PhD, Texas A&M University; Chuck Tordiglione, Cross Timbers Wine Trail Association

An AVA is a delimited grape-growing region with specific geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown. New AVAs are established by petitioning the federal government. This presentation will review the process of establishing AVAs and discuss their potential value to vineyards, wineries, and the consumer. Chuck Tordiglione, member of Cross Timbers Winery Association, will lead a discussion and solicit feedback on establishing a new Cross Timbers AVA.

Justin Scheiner is an Associate Professor and Extension Viticulture Specialist at Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His Extension responsibilities include educational programming and technical support for grape growers in areas of Texas affected by Pierce’s Disease. His research program focuses on best management practices for vineyards in Texas, including practices to improve fruit quality, rootstocks and new varieties, and cover cropping. He is a member of the graduate faculty at Texas A&M, and he teaches undergraduate courses in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Chuck Tordiglione is president of the Cross Timbers Wine Trail Association.

Understanding the Wholesale Market: Pros and Cons of Distribution and Self-Distribution for Texas Wineries (Business/Marketing Track)
Eric Sigmund, Southern Glazer’s; Paul M. Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery

As the Texas wine market continues to mature, more businesses are turning toward wholesale partnerships to diversify their routes to market. Distributors offer businesses many advantages to build brands and profitability, while Texas wineries also maintain the right to self-distribute their wines. Navigating the complex wholesales channel can be cumbersome and fraught with challenges. This session will explore the opportunities and limitations of the wholesale market, with unique perspectives offered to better inform owners and operators who are evaluating whether distribution is right for their businesses.

Eric Sigmund is an experienced winery operations executive, sommelier, and adult beverage compliance attorney. He currently serves as the State Director of Wine Education for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, Texas. He is also an instructor for Texas Tech’s Wine Business Certificate Program, where he teaches licensing and compliance for the wine industry. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Reddy Vineyards, based in Brownfield, Texas, an associate wine buyer for Total Wine & More, and the wine manager for Total Wine’s flagship retail outlet. Prior to his career in wine, Eric worked as an international law attorney.

Paul Mitchell Bonarrigo is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Winemaker at Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Inc. Born into the Texas wine industry, Paul grew up working alongside Paul Vincent Bonarrigo and Merrill Bonarrigo, his parents and founders of Messina Hof, gaining knowledge in all aspects of the vineyard, winery, sales, and marketing.

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Picpoul Blanc: The Lip Stinger That’s Hot in Texas (Tasting)
Amie Nemec, Texas Wine Lover (Moderator); Michael McClendon, Sages Vintage; Forrest Benefiel, Dove Ridge Winery; KK Hartman, Hartman Vineyard; CJ Kubacek, Yellow House Cellars

Did you know the word Picpoul means “lip stinger” in French? The name is because of the natural high acidity that is greater than most white wines in France. Originating in the Languedoc Roussillon appellations of Southern France, you’ll also find Picpoul growing well in Catalonia, Spain, Portugal, and within about 100 acres across the U.S. Join us in a panel discussion of how this grape is doing in Texas and taste through examples from North Texas, the High Plains, and the Hill Country, alongside one from France.

With a degree in aviation, a background as a pilot, and then a career in healthcare, Amie Nemec came to the Texas Hill Country wine industry with a love for digging deep into what interests her. She started studying wine in 2004 and completed her first sommelier exam in 2011. After founding Perspective Cellars tasting room in Fredericksburg, she was ready to dive into production. With experience at Hilmy, Adega Vinho, and Whisper Path she now writes wine articles for websites, such as TXWineLover.com, Sommly.com, and TopTexasWines.com, and for publications including Texas Monthly, Rock and Vine, and The Fredericksburg Standard. With two harvests in California under her belt, she is close to completing a book about her journey in wine to be published in 2024. Expect to see Amie connecting people, sharing bottles, and spreading the gospel of Texas wine for years to come!

Michael McClendon is the cofounder of Sages Vintage, a “custom crush” winery and consultancy in Nacogdoches. In addition to producing world-class wines at Sages Vintage, he has been named as a “Young Turk of Texas Wine ” by Dr. Russ Kane, and featured in the Dallas Morning News and on the cover of Wine and Spirits Magazine as part of their national collective of “Rising Black Voices” in the wine industry. At Sages Vintage, Michael has produced over 80 labels for nearly 30 winery and brand owners. These wines have medaled in competitions across the U.S., including San Diego Critics Challenge, American Wine Society, San Francisco Chronicle, and The UK Drinks Challenge. From judging at the TEXSOM International Awards to giving perspective on the Viti + Culture Podcast Michael enjoys lending his talents to the collective wine industry. Michael loves spending time with his wife, Senetra, and their 11-year-old son, an avid baseball and soccer player.

Krista Hartman, aka KK, already a wine enthusiast at the time, moved to Texas in 2006. After living in Dallas for 2–3 years and exploring numerous Texas wineries and vineyards, her love for all-things wine and wine people deepened so significantly, she completed the Viticulture and Enology AAS program at Grayson College. In 2015, KK was one of five individuals to receive a Hoss Newsom Scholarship Fund award for future Texas winemakers and grape growers. In December 2015, KK and her husband, Scott, closed on the purchase of a 30-acre farm near Sadler, Texas. Since then, wine went from an avid hobby to her profession. She has become a full-time grape “FarmHer” and winemaker. Quality small production winemaking from the grapes they’re growing is her goal. In addition to a test vineyard with 250 vines, which includes 8 vinifera varieties and 4 root stock trials, since 2016 she’s grown the Hartman Vineyard to nearly 4 acres of Tempranillo, specifically Rioja and Ribera del Duero selections. She and Scott will be opening a rustic micro winery in 2024.

Forrest Benefiel is winemaker at Dove Ridge Winery, a boutique winery located on 5 acres in Weatherford, Texas. Dove Ridge produces various varieties of wine, including Tempranillo, Marsanne, Petite Sirah, Vermentino and Sangiovese under their own private label.

CJ Kubacak is owner of Yellow House Cellars and Kubacak Vineyards in Tahoka, Texas. In 2015, CJ and his wife, Jennifer, planted their first five acres of grapes. Kubacak Vineyards now sits on 65 acres of vines. They opened Yellow House Cellars in 2021.

Balancing Act: Understanding pH Dynamics in Wine and Their Impact on Quality (Winery Track)
Anthony Mosley, 4R Ranch Vineyards and Winery

Discover the pivotal role pH plays in shaping the quality of your wine and learn effective techniques to master its control. This session will unravel the complexities behind pH variations, offering a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing acidity levels in your wine. From the vineyard to the cellar, explore the science of pH dynamics and its profound impact on the sensory profile of your final product.

Anthony Mosley has dedicated his life and career to the Texas wine industry with stops at several of the state’s top wineries. The wineries he has produced wine for have won countless international awards, including multiple Best of Class at competitions including, but not limited to, the San Francisco Chronicle, TEXSOM, and the Houston Livestock Show. 

Cultivating Success: Strategies for Successful Vineyard-Winery Partnerships (Vineyard Track)
Roxanne Myers, Lost Oak Winery (Moderator); John Rivenburgh, Kerrville Hills Winery; Akhil Reddy, Reddy Vineyards; Marissa Bingham, Bingham Family Vineyards; Daniel Pate, Apical Texas

Explore the intricacies of the vineyard-winery relationship and discover strategies to foster mutually beneficial relationships. This session will guide you through the essentials of effective contract management, ensuring that your partnerships thrive and contribute to mutual growth. Whether you’re a vineyard owner looking to secure contracts or a winemaker seeking reliable grape sources, join us to unlock the keys to successful partnerships.

A mom, globetrotter, and member of the Lost Oak Winery family, Roxanne Myers is known for wearing a lot of hats. From Tasting Room to President, she can be credited with growing Lost Oak Winery 600% in the last 13 years, developing a robust event business and helping Lost Oak to expand in to the Hill Country.

John Rivenburgh is a sixth-generation Texan from San Antonio. He work with his family in both ranching and sales. At age 24, he started his own construction company, which he ultimately sold to a larger organization. This allowed him to further contemplate his dream of building a winery, which he pursued in 2006. John has a passion to bring the highest quality handcrafted wines to Texas. His winemaking theory is to understand all aspects of your product—from the vineyard soil, to the sale of a bottled product. John began this quest focusing on farming, but after being told he had a knack for wineand a great palate, he focused on fine tuning his winemaking skills along with his love for grape growing. John has been blessed to have projects all over Texas, and outside of the state. This allows him gravitas in suggesting best varieties for success in Texas, and keeping with his motto “Always be a steward of well-grown grapes.”

The son of an immigrant cotton and peanut farmer with a PhD in soil and plant science, Akhil Reddy and his siblings visited the family farm outside of Lubbock, Texas, regularly. They made the farm their playground, climbing tractors, making mud pies, and roaming the fields together. Eventually, Akhil’s father, Dr. Vijay Reddy, put him to work in his newly planted vineyard in the Texas High Plains AVA, tying baby vines, learning how to drive a truck, and working other jobs in the vineyard through high school. Along with becoming an Eagle Scout, Akhil grew very fond of the land and outdoors. Akhil attended University of the Pacific in Stockton and San Francisco, California. It was in San Francisco that he experienced an immense culinary and wine culture. He graduated dental school at the early age of 23 and returned to Dallas, Texas, in 2008 to start his practice. Always interested in wine, he became more involved in his father’s wine grape farming operations and finally joined his father as a business partner in 2009.

Daniel Pate, MS, received his master’s degree in agriculture and applied economics from Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, he moved to Northern California to begin his career in the wine industry.

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