ICS Booklet 2014sm
ICS Booklet 2014sm
CABERNET
SYMPOSIUM
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the International Cabernet Symposium.
Many people have made the observation that no organization or symposium has existed to provide for the
exchange of viticultural and enological information among the Cabernet Sauvignon producers of the world.
In today’s changing and challenging world, the greatest error that we can make is to assume that there is no
need to share information. In fact today, more than ever, we must work together to share ideas and best
practices.
e International Cabernet Symposium has been designed to provide an intimate environment where
viticulturists and winemakers can present their work and discuss their styles and philosophies. We are
extremely appreciative of all those who have agreed to participate on a panel, make presentations, or host us
at their wineries. However, the audience is equally essential to the success of the symposium. We encourage
you to actively participate throughout the entire program – asking questions and presenting your ideas,
philosophies and wines.
We hope that you will appreciate the program, and feel at the end of the week that the symposium has met
your expectations.
David Pearson
CEO, Opus One
Chair, International Cabernet Symposium Steering Committee
INTERNATIONAL
CABERNET
Symposium
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2014
Program Agenda
Monday, June 16
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Welcome Dinner for Participants
Groezinger’s Estate in Yountville, a 5 minute walk from Villagio Inn & Spa
Tuesday, June 17
8:30 am Bus departs Villagio Inn & Spa
8:45 am Bus departs Charles Krug Winery (parking location for local attendees)
7:00 pm Buses depart Villagio Inn & Spa and Robert Mondavi Winery (check your assigment)
10:00 pm Buses return to Villagio Inn & Spa and Robert Mondavi Winery
INTERNATIONAL
CABERNET
Symposium
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2014
Thursday, June 19
1:30 pm Tour the LEED Platinum Teaching and Research Winery and
the Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery Building
Tours led by Dr. Roger Boulton, Professor and Stephen Sinclair Scott, Endowed Chair in
Enology, and Dr. David Block, Chair, Department of Viticulture and Enology
3:00 pm Buses depart UC Davis for Villagio Inn and Napa Valley College
5:45 pm Bus departs Villagio Inn & Spa (locals may drive to Inglenook Winery)
Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel Beth Nickel, Dirk Hampson, Larry Maguire
Mary Grace
Since 1994, Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division has been the leading provider of financial services to wineries and vineyards in the western
United States. Silicon Valley Bank is a member of SVB Financial Group, a $26 billion financial holding company providing a full range of
diversified financial services to emerging, growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, venture capital/private equity and
premium wine industries.
Silicon Valley Bank’s 30 Wine Division professionals are a unique group – they are experts in the wine industry and understand the risks
and challenges faced by vintners and grape growers. Our goal is to provide clients with custom financial solutions including: loans,
deposits, foreign exchange and cash management designed to meet your specific business needs.
For more information, please contact Mark Freund, Senior Relationship Manager, Wine Division at 707.967.1388 or mfreund@svb.com
Imperial Sponsors
EVENT
sponsors
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M a g n u m S p o n s o rs
Speakers - day one
Bob Betz
Winemaker & Founder, Betz Family Winery
Bob Betz is founder/winemaker at Betz Family Winery, a company he and his wife
established in 1997. The path to starting their own winery began in the early 1970s
when the two spent a year in the vineyards of Western Europe. Upon return, Bob
began his career with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates where he worked for 28 years.
During those three decades he worked in many capacities of the promising Washington
wine industry and developed close relationships with vineyards and wineries, honing
his skills in both areas. Since its first vintage, Betz Family Winery has used fruit from
selected vineyards in Washington’s Columbia Valley, crafting a range of red wines from
Rhone and Bordeaux varieties. While at Ste. Michelle, Bob held positions in
communications, education, quality management and production, retiring as Vice President
of Winemaking Research. He played a key role in developing the international reputation
of the state’s burgeoning wine industry, as well as developing quality initiatives for the
company, and managing two international joint ventures, Col Solare (Marchesi Antinori)
and Eroica (Dr. Loosen). His work with the joint ventures, as well as with the company’s
projects in Washington and California, expanded his breadth and depth of winemaking
experience.
Chris Figgins
President & Winemaking Director, Figgins Family Wine Estates
Chris Figgins is the President and Winemaking Director for Figgins Family Wine Estates
(FFWE). Chris succeeds his parents, Gary and Nancy Figgins, who founded Leonetti
Cellar in 1977 – the oldest winery in Walla Walla. After growing up in the wine business,
he officially joined Leonetti in 1996 post-graduation from Washington State University
with a Horticulture degree. Chris assumed the position of head winemaker in 2001.
In addition to running the day to day business and winemaking, Chris presides over all
viticulture operations for FFWE, which includes six distinct vineyard sites in the
Walla Walla Valley AVA. To extend the FFWE experience further into wine and food,
Chris recently launched Toil Oregon, a small-production Willamette Valley Pinot Noir,
FIGGINS, a single-vineyard estate wine brand, and Lostine Cattle Company, producing
all natural grass-fed beef. Chris was instrumental in transforming Leonetti into an estate
grown winery and is known industry-wide for consistently pushing the envelope
viticulturally. A frequent public speaker, Chris loves to share his passion for sustainable
farming and biological soil health. In addition to his work at FFWE, Chris has been the
consulting winemaker for Doubleback since its inception in 2007.
Speakers - day one
Caleb Foster
Owner, Caleb’s Wines, LLC
Charles Thomas
Winemaker, Quintessa
Charles Thomas joined the Quintessa team as winemaker in 2007. He has a storied career with some
of the most highly regarded wineries in the industry, including Robert Mondavi Winery, Domaine
Chandon, Cardinale and Rudd. Charles embarked on his journey into the world of winemaking,
starting literally from the ground up, as he was studying at the University of California, Berkeley.
His early experiences include installing vineyard irrigation systems throughout Napa and parts of
Sonoma, operating presses and tending vineyards for Domaine Chandon, leading tours at Robert
Mondavi Winery and buying the wines for the Sonoma Cheese Company. In 1978, Charles joined
Robert Mondavi Winery's production department moving through positions including barrel
enologist, senior enologist and assistant winemaker. After gaining a thorough knowledge of every
aspect of winemaking he was promoted to head winemaker. He assisted in the creation, execution
and evolution of Opus One from 1979 through 1994. In 1994, he moved to Jackson Family Farms
where he worked closely with the rebuilding of Cardinale’s vineyards and winemaking techniques.
From there, he joined Rudd in 2002 where he directed changes to both the winery and vineyards.
Caleb Mosley
Napa Valley Vineyard Manager, Huneeus Vintners, LLC
Caleb Mosley joined Quintessa in March of 2014 from Araujo Estate Winery where he held the
position of Vineyard Manager since 2011, farming their vineyards biodynamically.
Prior to that, Caleb was the Viticulturist and then Vineyard Manager for Ridge Vineyards' Monte
Bello ranch from 2006-2010, where he completed the conversion of their vineyards to organic
farming. Caleb attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Wine and Viticulture, with a
concentration in Viticulture. While he studied, he worked two vintages at Orcutt Road Cellars.
Caleb became immersed in the wine industry from a young age as his father held the role of
Vineyard and Estate Manager at Cinnabar Vineyards and Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains
near Saratoga. Growing up, Caleb helped out in the vineyard alongside his father as much as he
could. Conducting punch downs on Macro Bin Pinot Noir fermentations before school,
and tracking his father's footsteps in the vineyard every summer helped Caleb set his career path in
the world of high quality and estate driven winegrowing.
Speakers - day one
Christopher Howell
General Manager & Winemaker, Cain Vineyard & Winery
Christopher Howell has dedicated more than twenty years to Cain Vineyard &
Winery. His commitment stems from a realization that one can only learn from one
vintage to the next, and that depth of knowledge of a single vineyard takes years to
acquire. His focus is on fine winegrowing, following the process from vineyard into
the winery and finally into the glass. There are just two essential prerequisites for doing
this, knowing wine and loving wine. In both of these, he remains a perpetual student.
Chris came to Cain as a winemaking consultant in 1990, after having spent time at
Peter Michael Winery and Mouton Rothschild. He became winemaker and general
manager in 1991, and credits owners Jim and Nancy Meadlock for their patience and
support over the years, and for providing him with the spectacular location that is Cain
Vineyard & Winery. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Chris studied “Ideas and
Methods” at the University of Chicago, followed by chemistry and chemical engineering at the University of
Washington. In 1982, he dedicated himself to the profession and enrolled in the School of Agronomy in Montpellier.
Philippe Bascaules
Managing Director & Winemaker, Inglenook Winery
Personally chosen by Francis Ford Coppola, renowned French winemaker Philippe
Bascaules came to Napa from Bordeaux in 2011 to become General Manager of the
great American wine estate, Inglenook. Born in the southwest of France, Bascaules
was a gifted student with a love of nature that ultimately inspired his passion for
oenology. In 1990, after receiving a degree in Agricultural Engineering with a specialty
in oenology from Montpellier University in France, Bascaules began his career as
assistant to the Estate Director at the legendary Château Margaux, one of France’s five
First Growth Bordeaux estates. Bascaules became Estate Director in 2000, overseeing
viticulture and vinification and working alongside renowned General Manager Paul
Pontallier. Bascaules’ experience making some of the world’s most critically acclaimed
wines has taught him the importance of respecting the heritage of a great terroir.
At Inglenook, Bascaules now leads a team of talented winemaking professionals dedicated to Coppola’s vision of
making Inglenook the finest New World estate wine. In 1890, founder Gustave Niebaum stated that Inglenook
would one day “produce the finest wines, to equal and excel the most famous vintages of Europe.” Over a century
later, Coppola and Bascaules proudly continue the Inglenook legacy.
Xavier Choné
Consultant on Wine, Vineyard, Terroir
Xavier Choné is an international terroir and wine consultant based in
Bordeaux. His work demonstrates that terroir can be seen as a practical
concept used to analyze soil, climate conditions and vineyards. With this
approach, he develops and manages vineyards in order to achieve fine,
elegant and powerful wines. His expertise aims at maximizing the effect of
terroir in order to produce the most distinctive wines. His consulting
encompasses soil and climate expertise, vineyard analysis and evaluation,
vineyard architecture development at the planting stage, and vineyard
management (including pruning, irrigation, fertilization, canopy, and crop control). He also advises on harvest and
winemaking decisions. Through his experiences in both the New World and non-irrigated vineyards in France, Xavier
developed a powerful and original expertise in vineyard irrigation management: managing vine water deficit with
irrigation. Xavier graduated from Bordeaux University in 2001, receiving a PhD in Viticulture and Enology. During
this work, he focused specifically on vine water status and especially on moderate vine water deficit on the more famed
French terroirs. In addition to his PhD, Xavier received an Enology and Viticulture Masters degree.
Speakers - day two
Deborah Golino
Director, Foundation Plant Services, University of California, Davis
Dr. Golino has been the Director of Foundation Plant Services (FPS), a unit of the College
of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, since 1994. FPS is dedicated to the distribution
of disease tested, true to identity plant materials produced by UC researchers or improved by
technology developed by UC researchers. The grape importation, quarantine and clean stock
programs are the largest in the United States. These programs have played a key national and
international role in distributing new crop varieties and healthy planting stocks. In addition to
her position as FPS Director, she is a Cooperative Extension Specialist in the department of
Plant Pathology, UC Davis, participating in teaching, extension and service. Her research
program is directed at controlling the virus and virus-like diseases of grapevines with a focus
on improved methods of pathogen detection and streamlining virus elimination techniques
for clean stock and quarantine programs. She is an author of over 100 scientific publications
in plant pathology. Since 2005, she has served as Director for the Viticulture Consortium
West and the California Competitive Grants Program for Viticulture and Enology, two
grants programs administrated by the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources.
John Concannon
4th generation vintner, Concannon Vineyard
The Concannon legacy began in 1865 when James Concannon sailed from the rocky coast of
Ireland to become the first Irish immigrant to establish a successful winery in America. As a
founding family of the California wine industry, all four generations have made remarkable
contributions towards creating award-winning wines. John is the first child of Jim and Helen
Concannon who celebrated his birth, as well as Jim’s production of America’s First Petite Sirah™
in 1961. From early childhood, John worked in all aspects of the winery’s operation, learning
every facet of the family business, including vineyard management, cellar operations and the
wine laboratory. There, he was taught the artistry and science of creating beautifully balanced
wines and blending for optimum flavor and complexity. After graduating from California
State University, John successfully distinguished himself in the medical field for 23 years,
during which time he expanded his skills and experience in business management. As the 4th
Generation Vintner, John has implemented many upgrades in the winery’s winemaking
practices and continually pursues the most cutting-edge technologies for improving and
expanding vineyard and winery operations, as well as sustainable environmental conservancy.
Michael Silacci
Winemaker, Opus One
Michael Silacci joined Opus One in 2001 as director of viticulture and enology and became
winemaker in 2004, taking on responsibility for all aspects of viticulture and winemaking.
Prior to his appointment at Opus One, Mr. Silacci spent six years as winemaker at Stag’s Leap
Wine Cellars, one year as winemaker at King Estate in Oregon, and six years at Beaulieu
Vineyard. He also made wine in France and Chile. Mr. Silacci holds a master’s degree in
viticulture from the University of California, Davis in addition to undergraduate degrees in
enology from the University of California, Davis, and the Institut d’Oenologie at the
Université de Bordeaux. Advancing a holistic vision of winegrowing as the ultimate expression
of terroir, Mr. Silacci ensures that the connection between viticulture and winemaking at
Opus One is seamless, reflecting the philosophy of founders Baron Philippine de Rothschild
and Robert Mondavi. Mr. Silacci seeks to enhance tradition and maintain innovation. His
wines express time and place.
Speakers - day two
Carlos Falcó, Marqués de Griñón
Chairman, Pagos de Familia Marqués de Griñón, S.A.
D. Carlos Falcó, Marqués de Griñón, was born in Seville, Spain, and is widely
recognized as a pioneer in the modernization of viticulture and winemaking in
Spain. He holds an agricultural engineering degree from the University of
Louvain in Belgium and also graduated from the University of California, Davis.
He introduced the Syrah and Petit Verdot varieties in Spain, as well as Cabernet
Sauvignon in Castilla La Mancha. His Dominio de Valdepusa estate in Toledo
has been at the center of his pioneering techniques, with the introduction of
drip irrigation, a worldwide first for viticulture, in 1974, Smart Dyson canopy
management in 1994, subsurface drip irrigation and partial root dying in 1999,
and the use of electronic controls known as dendrometers to monitor water
stress in the vines in 2000. In 1999, he wrote his first book, Entender de Vino,
(Understanding Wine), published by the leading Spanish publisher Planeta Group. In 2012, his second book,
Olevm, a comprehensive work on the world of extra virgin olive oil, was presented at the Frankfurt
International Book Fair and will soon be published in Italian and Spanish.
Julio Mourelle
Winemaker, Pagos de Familia Marqués de Griñón, S.A.
Julio Mourelle was raised in Spain and holds a BS in Pharmacy from the
University of Santiago where he majored in Plant Physiology, as well as a
Masters in Food Science at the University of California, Davis. While
completing his Masters he interned at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and later become
assistant winemaker at Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley where he was put in
charge of experimental wines. His experiences in California and his close
encounter with their cutting edge viticultural and oenological techniques deeply
influenced Julio’s views on winemaking. In 1995 Julio returned to Spain and
became the winemaker for Dominio de Valdepusa, one of Spain’s most advanced
wineries, which was pioneering various new world techniques in Europe. Julio
has been working directly with Carlos Falcó, widely recognized as a pioneer of Spanish viticulture for almost
20 years, and has been a key player in Valdepusa’s permanent role as a leader of the Spanish Wine Revolution.
His passion and hard work, along with Carlos’ unflinching search for excellence, has created a successful
combination of traditional values and innovation, which is clearly reflected in their wines.
Darice Spinelli
Winemaker, Nickel & Nickel
Darice Spinelli joined Nickel & Nickel as winemaker in 1998 with the
ambition to produce superior single-vineyard wines. Counting nearly twenty-
five years of winemaking experience, Spinelli provides both the knowledge of
producing wines from specific terroirs in California as well as an
uncompromising resolve to create the best possible wines from vintage to
vintage. In crafting the Nickel & Nickel wines, she sees her role as one of
providing harmony to the vineyard, doing everything possible to let the wines
sing. It is Spinelli’s hope to capture and enhance the natural balance and quality
that come from a great vineyard site.
Speakers - day three
David Block
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Professor Block is the Marvin Sands Department Chair and Professor in Viticulture
and Enology at UC Davis, with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science. He also holds the Ernest Gallo Endowed Chair in the
Department of Viticulture and Enology. Since joining UC Davis, his research has spanned
various topics, including development of fermentation datamining, modeling, and
optimization methods, metabolic engineering of yeast and lactic acid bacteria for improved
biofuel and recombinant protein production, and catalytic conversion of agricultural waste
streams into fuels and value-added chemicals. Prior to joining UC Davis, he worked for
Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. in Nutley, NJ where he was in charge of fermentation process
development groups, as well as designing and operating process control systems for new
biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. David holds a B.S.E. from the University of
Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, both in Chemical Engineering.
Andrew Walker
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Dr. Walker has been a faculty member of the Department of Viticulture and Enology since
1989, the same year he began breeding grapes. His research program focuses on developing
new rootstocks with resistance to fanleaf, dagger and root-knot nematodes and phylloxera.
His lab studies the genetics of resistance to these pests, their genetic diversity and aggressivity,
and host/pest interactions of these pests with grape species. Dr. Walker's lab is also actively
involved in breeding table, raisin and wine grapes for resistance to Pierce's disease and
powdery mildew. He teaches two parts of a three-quarter course, Viticultural Practices, which
instructs students in rootstock and scion selection and identification, propagation practices,
pruning and training, trellising, and vineyard development. Dr. Walker received his Bachelor's
in Botany in 1975, a Master's in Horticulture/Viticulture in 1983, and a PhD in Genetics in
1989 from the University of California, Davis. In November 2000, he was appointed the
Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture.
Linda Bisson
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Dr. Bisson's main area of research is the investigation of utilization of carbon and energy
sources in yeast, with a specific focus on how eukaryotic cells detect energy sources in their
environment and prioritize use when presented with a mixture of substrates. She is using the
yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, because of the ease of genetic manipulation
of this organism. Her research is important from a very fundamental perspective, in adding
to our knowledge of the mechanisms of regulation of metabolism, but also has broad
application in both enology and medicine. Incomplete fermentations are a problem in wine-
making, caused by the failure of the yeast to consume all of the available sugar. Bisson served
as Department Chair from 1990-1995; her term saw the dedication of The Jacob Research
Center at the Oakville Experimental Field Station. Her contributions in yeast biology in the
natural grape juice environment were acknowledged by the award of Honorary Research
Lecturer for the 50th Annual Meeting of the Society of Enology and Viticulture in 2000.
Speakers - day three
Dario Cantu
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Plant biologist Dr. Dario Cantu was born and raised in Milan, Italy, where he
received his undergraduate training and his Master degree in Agricultural Sciences
in Fall 2004. He then joined the Plant Biology Graduate Group at UC Davis and
obtained his PhD in Fall 2009. In the Viticulture and Enology Department, Dr.
Cantu's research integrates principles of systems biology and quantitative genetics
and uses genomics and bioinformatics to dissect the molecular networks underlying
understand and manipulate complex traits in grapevines cultivated plants,
including grapevines, tomato, and wheat. Research topics range from (i) plant
resistance to pathogens, (ii) the evolution of pathogenicity in fungal plant
pathogens, (iii) the relation between plant development and the association with
microorganisms, and (iv) the molecular determinants of fruit development and
ripening.
David Mills
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Dr. Mills studies the molecular biology and ecology of bacteria that play an active
role in fermented foods and beverages. In the last 20 years Dr. Mills has mentored
over 30 graduate students and postdocs and published more than 100 papers,
including seminal work on lactic acid bacterial and bifidobacterial genomics.
At UC Davis, Dr. Mills co-founded the Milk Bioactives Program, a successful
multidisciplinary effort to define, investigate and translate the beneficial aspects
of human milk and its role in human health. Dr. Mills has served as a Waksman
Foundation Lecturer for the American Society for Microbiology and currently
serves as an associate editor for the journal Microbiology. In 2010 Dr. Mills was
awarded the Cargill Flavor Systems Specialties Award from the American Dairy
Science Association and in 2012 he was named the Peter J. Shields Chair in
Dairy Food Science. Dr. Mills also serves on the Science/Research Advisory
Boards of several food and health-focused companies.
Anita Oberholster
Professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Dr. Anita Oberholster joined the department in April 2011 as a new
Cooperative Extension Specialist in Enology. During her PhD studies she was
involved in the development of the mouth-feel wheel for red wine and
investigated the changes in polymeric pigment structure and composition with
wine aging. Dr. Oberholster's research focuses on both wine and analytical
chemistry. Her research focuses mainly on the influence of different winemaking
techniques on phenol composition and quality, specifically addressing the
polymeric pigment and tannin formation and composition, the development of
techniques for the measurement thereof and their subsequent influence on
mouth-feel. In addition, she is involved in projects investigating the influence
of abiotic factors on grape tannin and norisoprenoid precursor (carotenoids)
and chlorophyll development.
Speakers - day three
Fredrik Johansson
Winemaker, Staglin Family Winery
Fredrik Johansson is a transplanted Connecticut Yankee born to Swedish parents who
moved to California 24 years ago to study engineering at the University of California,
Berkeley. A change in his field of study to developmental economics and literature lead him
to an initial career in law and investment management in Silicon Valley where he had the
good fortune of working with several serious wine collectors who fueled his burgeoning
passion for wine and ultimately altered the trajectory of his life. Serendipity allowed him to
meet consulting winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown with whom he apprenticed for four years
to acquire the core of his winemaking knowledge and from whom he learned the singular
importance of vineyards and terroir. He has worked at Nicholson Ranch in Sonoma, Two
Hands Wines in Australia and Outpost Wines on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley where
he oversaw several of Thomas' consulting projects, including Schrader Cellars and Maybach
Family Vineyards. Since 2007 he has been the winemaker at Staglin Family Vineyard where
he has had the fortune of collaborating with two legends in the industry, Michel Rolland
and David Abreu. Fredrik believes that wine should be an expression of time and place, that
great wines come from great vineyards, and that ideal winemaking is palate based with a good
technical and analytical backing that is ultimately transparent.
Stéphane Derenoncourt
Winemaker, Consultant and CEO, Derenoncourt Consultants
Stéphane Derenoncourt is a winemaker and consultant originally from the north of France.
He arrived in Bordeaux in the early 1980s and began his career in viticulture. Wine thus
came into his life both as a necessity and as a passion. He taught himself, incorporating
his experience from working in a variety of appellations. Increasingly fascinated by the
concept of terroir, he drew inspiration from the Burgundy model, basing his style on
minerality and freshness, and developed his own working methods that are more intuitive
and less systematic than the norm. Underpinning his philosophy was the art of observation
and tasting—both the juice and the resulting wine. In 1999 Stéphane and his wife
Christine acquired Domaine de l'A, an estate in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux wine area.
As a winemaker but also a consultant, he now works on nearly 100 estates, providing a
global approach encompassing every stage in the process, from the vine to the bottle. His
work is defined as a quest for the optimum expression of the terroir. The aim of his various
methods is to encourage the roots to explore the soil so that all of its components are
transferred to the fruit. As Stéphane believes, “The less Man attempts to change the terroir,
the better the wine.” It is important for him not to “sign” his wines, as he feels his wines
should be singular, fresh and sensual—thirst-quenching wines—as he likes to call them.
Speakers - day three
Michel Rolland
Vintner, Consultant
Born into a viticultural family in Libourne, Michel Rolland grew up on the
family's estate Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol. He enrolled at the School
of Viticulture and Oenology at La Tour Blanche and the Faculty of Oenology
at the University of Bordeaux, where he met his wife, Dany. In 1973, Dany and
Michel partnered with Mr. & Mrs. Chevrier, at the oenological laboratory in
Libourne, from whom they purchased the Jean Chevrier laboratory. Michel
began pursuing his dream of developing different wines, and of gaining a better
understanding of the vineyard, soil and people. His life then took on a new
perspective, as he became a field oenologist rather than a laboratory one. In
1979, after his father’s death, the couple began managing the family estates,
Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, Château Rolland-Maillet in St-Émilion
and Château Bertineau St-Vincent in Lalande de Pomerol. Michel’s work in
France, and in Bordeaux in particular, attracted international attention and within
a few years he became a sought-after consultant for wine-growing estates across the globe. Michel has developed
several personal projects around the world, including Clos de los Siete, Mariflor and Val de Flores in Argentina,
Bonne Nouvelle in South Africa, and a partnership with François Lurton at Campo Eliseo in Spain. Most
recently, Michel released his first American cuvee, MR Napa Valley. Whether as an owner or a consultant,
Michel retains his enthusiasm, curiosity and passion of his earliest beginnings, fed by a deep attachment to the
land. Today, Michel provides advice to over 150 estates within 14 different countries.
INTERNATIONAL
CABERNET
Symposium
Participants
2014
International Attendees
Dominique Arangoits Directeur Technique Domaines Reybier France
Fernando Buscema Technical Director Bodega Catena Zapata Argentina
Xavier Choné Consultant France
Stéphane Derenoncourt Vintner/Consultant Derenoncourt Consultants France
Philippe Dhalluin Managing Director Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. France
Carlos Falcó President Pagos de Familia Marques de Griñon S.A. Spain
Olga Fusari Assistant Winemaker Tenuta dell’Ornellaia e Masseto Italy
Miriam Gómez Licenciada en Enología Antigal Winery & Estates Argentina
Enrique Macías Gómez Director de Viticultura Bodegas Vega Sicilia, S.A. Spain
Axel Heinz Director of Production Tenuta dell’Ornellaia e Masseto Italy
Gustavo Hormann Winemaker Montes Wines Chile
Luke Jolliffe Senior Winemaker Stella Bella Wines Australia
Julio Mourelle Winemaker Pagos de Familia Marques de Griñon S.A. Spain
Rob Mann Estate Director/Winemaker Cape Mentelle Vineyards Australia
Isabel Mitarakis Winemaker Concha y Toro Chile
Aurelio Montes Owner Montes Wines Chile
Alessio Neri Agronomist Tenuta dell’Ornellaia e Masseto Italy
Roy Urvieto Enologist Bodega Catena Zapata Argentina
Michel Rolland Vinter/Consultant France
Juan Enrique Sabja Winemaker Concha y Toro Chile
Alejandro Vigil Winemaker Bodega Catena Zapata Argentina
(continued)
United States Attendees (continued)
Shelia Gentry General Manager Oakville Ranch Oakville
Deborah Golino Ph.D, Professor UC Davis Davis
Steve Griessel Owner Betz Family Winery Washington
Bridgit Griessel Owner Betz Family Winery Washington
Suzanne Groth VP, Sales & Marketing Groth Vineyards & Winery Oakville
Julian Halasz Senior Winemaker Concannon Vineyard Livermore
Ren Harris Owner Paradigm Winery Oakville
Christopher Howell General Manager Cain Vineyards & Winery St. Helena
Fredrik Johansson Winemaker Staglin Family Vineyard Rutherford
Nathalie Juré Assistant Winemaker Opus One Oakville
Paulius Kaselionis Vineyard Manager JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery Paso Robles
Justin Kinkade Enologist Pahlmeyer Winery St. Helena
Nigel Kinsman Winemaker Araujo Estate Wines St. Helena
Robin Lail Owner Lail Vineyards St. Helena
Lawrence Lohr Director of Wine Education J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Paso Robles
Jerome Lohr Founder J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Paso Robles
Steve Lohr CEO J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Paso Robles
Colin MacPhail General Manager Larkmead Vineyards St. Helena
David Marchesi Winemaker Duckhorn Vineyards St. Helena
Nicole Marchesi Winemaker Far Niente Winery Oakville
Helene Mingot Technical Coordinator Araujo Estate Wines St. Helena
Caleb Mosley Napa Valley Vineyard Manager Quintessa Rutherford
Bill Murray Winemaker Canoe Ridge Washington
Matt Ortman Winemaker Villa San Juliette Paso Robles
David Pearson CEO Opus One Oakville
Kevin Pogue Ph.D/Professor/Geologist Whitman College Washington
Lucas Pope Vineyard Manager Halter Ranch Vineyards Paso Robles
Nicolette Pruss Winemaker/Owner NC Cellars, LLC Napa
Paul Roberts, MS COO Colgin Cellars St. Helena
Glenn Salva Estate Director Antica Napa Valley Napa
Kevin Sass Winemaker Halter Ranch Vineyard Paso Robles
David Sheffer Assistant Winemaker Pahlmeyer St. Helena
Scott Shirley Winemaker JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Paso Robles
Michael Silacci Winemaker Opus One Oakville
Darice Spinelli Winemaker Nickel & Nickel Oakville
Molly Strupp Assistant Winemaker Halter Ranch Vineyards Paso Robles
Skylar Stuck General Manager Halter Ranch Vineyards Paso Robles
W. Clarke Swanson, Jr. Owner/CEO Swanson Vineyards Oakville
Allison Tauziet Winemaker Colgin Cellars St. Helena
Charles Thomas Winemaker Quintessa Rutherford
Vance Thompson Owner Jessup Cellars Yountville
Alan Viader Director of Winemaking Viader Vineyards & Winery Deer Park
Michael Weis Winemaker Groth Vineyard & Winery Oakville
Bruce Wileman Owner/President Big Meadows Cellars Exeter
Sandy Wileman Co-Owner Big Meadows Cellars Exeter
INTERNATIONAL
CABERNET
Symposium
2014
Steering Committee:
Contact:
Joyce Stavert, Executive Director
International Cabernet Symposium
Mobile: +1-(707) 479-3278
Email: joyce@cabernetsymposium.com