Keynote Speaker

Voted the world's most influential wine critic in various polls in the US, France and internationally in 2018, Jancis founded JancisRobinson.com in 2000, where she is editor in chief and main contributor. She is the wine correspondent for the Financial Times, founder-editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, and co-author with Hugh Johnson ofThe World Atlas of Wine.

jancisrobinson.com
@jancisrobinson

Founder & Chairperson of The Old Vine Project, South Africa

Rosa Kruger, has been a consultant vineyard manager for over 20 years, specialising in designing new vineyard sites and managing existing vineyards to produce exceptional quality wines. In 2002, she began documenting South Africa’s old vines, leading to the creation of the Old Vine Project in 2016. The initiative focuses on preserving viticultural heritage, promoting research, supporting workers, and adapting to climate change, while expanding its influence with more wines under its banner.

oldvineproject.co.za
@oldvineproject

Director & Technical Secretary
CRDO Campo de Borja

José Ignacio Gracia Lopez studied Agricultural Engineering at the University of Zaragoza and obtained a Master in Viticulture and Oenology from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has worked for more than 35 years to date in the DO Campo de Borja, in Spain and is currently pursuing his Diploma studies at WSET in London.

docampodeborja.com
@docampodeborja

Managing Director, Vinchio Vaglio

Vinchio Vaglio is a Piedmontese cooperative that farms 470 hectares of vines including prized old-vine Barbera. Marco, a graduate in Economics, started as a driver at Vinchio Vaglio in 2011 and is now Managing Director of this dynamic producer that has championed and safeguarded old vine Barbera for decades.

www.vinchio.com
@vinchiovaglio

Chairman of the Board, Winemaker Emeritus, Ridge Vineyards

Paul Draper grew up on a farm near Chicago, received a degree in philosophy at Stanford University and lived in Italy and France, where he studied traditional winemaking. In the 1960s, he co-founded a winery in Chile, producing old vine cabernet. Paul joined Ridge Vineyards in 1969, perfecting single-vineyard pre-industrial winemaking techniques. Draper is renowned for Monte Bello cabernets and chardonnays, and pioneering complex, long-lived zinfandels from heritage old-vine vineyards.

ridgewine.com
@‌ridgevineyards

Executive Director, ZAP

Rebecca has been the Executive Director of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) for 30 years devoted to the promotion of Zinfandel tradition, historic and new vineyards, wines, and wineries. She has led a diverse association of hundreds of producers, growers, trade, media, and consumers whose mission is the preservation of California's Zinfandel tradition.

zinfandel.org
@zap.zinfandel

Managing Director, Catena Zapata & Founder, Catena Institute of Wine

Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, biologist, physician, and author, is internationally recognised as a leading advocate for Argentine wine and Malbec. She has led Catena Zapata since 2009 and founded Luca, La Posta, and Domaine Nico. In 1995, she established the Catena Institute of Wine to elevate Argentine wine through science, pioneering Malbec massale and old vine preservation, high-altitude terroir research, and contributing to Argentina’s Sustainability Code in collaboration with top global universities. In 2023, Dr. Catena was awarded the Old Vine Hero Award.

Catena Institute of Wine
@‌lauracatenamd

Architect and Manager of the Old Vine Registry

Based in Oakland, California, Alder launched his award-winning website vinography.com in 2004, and has been a columnist covering American wines for Jancis Robinson since 2011. He contributed to the latest editions of the Oxford Companion to Wine and the World Atlas of Wine, and writes irregularly for various other publications. Alder is the author of The Essence of Wine, a coffee table book about wine's flavors and aromas. 

vinography.com
@vinography

Owner & Winemaker, Once & Future Wine

Joel Peterson, AKA the Godfather of Zin, has been a winemaker for more than 50 years. Joel founded and built Ravenswood into a powerhouse Zinfandel brand. Joel’s latest project is Once & Future Wine where he focuses on making small production, hand crafted single vineyard old vine Zinfandels, resurrecting his old redwood fermenters that honour the distinctive typicity of site. In 2011, Joel was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame.

onceandfuturewine.com

Board member of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers the Historical Vineyard Society, and President of Robert Biale Vineyards

Born and raised in Napa, Bob Biale is the son and grandson of Napa Valley grape growers. Following his Naval service as a search and rescue swimmer, his three years in Papua New Guinea, and his university studies, he was drawn back to the family vineyards. Bob’s love and respect for multi-generational vineyards and the wines these vineyards produce, continue to inspire him. Today, Bob is a board member and past President of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, a board member of the Historical Vineyard Society, and President of Robert Biale Vineyards, a respected voice in the heritage category that his family has embraced.

biale.com

Viviana Malafarina, Winery Manager, Basilisco - Tenute Capaldo Group

Viviana Malafarina, trained as a teacher and sommelier on super yachts, found her passion for viticulture at Feudi. After just 3 months, owner Antonio Capaldo offered her a permanent role as viticulturist at Basilisco. She learned from Pierpaolo Sirch and was mentored by Denis Dubordieu. Since 2012, Viviana has led the winery and championed the ancient “Storico” vineyard, preserving traditional methods. She’s recognized as a bright young talent in Italian winemaking.

basiliscovini.it/en

Owner, Villa Bogdano 1880

After attending High School in Portogruaro, with a focus in Classical Studies, Domenico graduated with honours in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan. He held positions of responsibility in leading international investment banks and hedge funds in London. A passionate conservationist and advocate for old vine heritage, in 2016 he decided, together with his brother in law winemaker Lucio Tessari, to acquire an historic agricultural and viticultural estate near his hometown. This started an adventurous restoration and conservation project in and around the Villa Bogdano estate.

villabogdano1880.it/en/

Owner, Limerick Lane Cellars

Karen Francis DeGolia's history with Limerick Lane began in the early ’90s as the fiancée of the founder, Tom Collins. After Tom's unexpected death, Karen left California to find a new path, creating a successful career in the automotive industry. But Limerick Lane kept calling her. With her purchase of the Ricci vineyard over 20 years ago, Karen began her journey back. And in 2022, she became the owner of Limerick Lane Cellars, bringing her story full circle. Now stewarding a 53-acre estate, Karen is deeply committed to crafting exceptional wines and honoring the vineyard’s enduring legacy.  

limericklanewines.com

Co-founder Vigno & Garage Wine Co.

Derek started Garage Wine Co with his wife Pilar in 2001. GWCo co-founded MOVI: Movement of Independent Vintners and the Vigno Collective that revives old-vine Carignan. Garage works with small farmers off the beaten path on the Coastal Range in the Maule. They adopt old methods, combined with regenerative farming and the lens of science, to make fine wine from vines left behind by modern wine.

garagewine.company
vigno.info

Co-proprietor of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant

In 1991, Peter Granoff became the 15th American Master Sommelier, earning the Krug Champagne Cup and a James Beard Award. In 1995, he co-founded Virtual Vineyards, the first U.S. online wine retailer, later profiled by Harvard Business School. The venture became a landmark in e-commerce history. Since 2003, he has co-owned Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in San Francisco and Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant in Napa.

petergranoff.com
@petergranoffms)

CEO, Tasting Climate Change Conference

Michelle is a certified sommelier, WSET-certified educator, and Stage 2 Masters of Wine candidate. In 2017, she founded Tasting Climate Change, an international symposium focused on climate solutions in the wine industry. She has published two books on wine and climate, with the latest edition released in 2024. Michelle writes for Le Devoir, Extra Brut, and Quench Magazine, appears on the TV show Curieux Bégin, and owns Vino Studio, offering WSET courses.

tastingclimatechange.com

President & co-founder of the Historic Vineyard Society, owner/ winemaker Bedrock Wine Co.

Morgan Twain-Peterson MW is the owner and winemaker for Bedrock Wine Co. in Sonoma, CA— a winery dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating ancient vineyards in California. The winery farms over 250 acres of grapes across five counties and is a leading voice in the regenerative farming movement. One of approximately 50 American Masters of Wine, Morgan is also the President and a founder of the Historic Vineyard Society.

bedrockwineco.com
@bedrockmorgan

Research Director for the Wine Market Council

The Wine Market Council is a non-profit organisation conducting consumer research for its members, who come from all tiers of the wine industry. Christian Miller also runs Full Glass Research, providing market analysis for food and beverage companies. With over 20 years of experience in brand and category management, he has marketed wine brands from boutique to mass scale. He co-directed the UC Davis OIV Wine Marketing course (2008–2023) and holds degrees from Franklin & Marshall and Cornell University.

winemarketcouncil.com
Full Glass Research

Author & Speaker

Amanda Barnes is the award-winning author of The South America Wine Guide and has been based in the wine regions of South America since 2009. She is the South America ambassador for the Old Vine Conference and is passionate about the diversity of old vines scattered around the continent. She became a Master of Wine in 2025 following the success of her thesis about the old vines of Criolla.

southamericawineguide.com

Executive Director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission

Stuart Spencer is the Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, a trade association representing 750 winegrowers farming 90,000 acres of winegrapes and 85 wineries in Lodi, California.  Spencer has been with the Commission since 1999 and is responsible for guiding the region’s successful marketing, research, and sustainable viticulture programs including their “Save the Old” campaign committed to elevating Lodi’s historic vineyards.  In addition, Spencer is the winemaker at St. Amant Winery, founded by his parents in 1981. He has extensive experience growing, crafting, and promoting exceptional wines from Lodi’s old vine vineyards. 

lodiwine.com

Co-Founder, The Old Vine Conference

Sarah is the director of marketing agency Swirl Wine Group, and has worked in the wine industry for 25 years. Her interest in ancient varieties and the origins of wine is long-standing and she co-founded The Old Vine Conference in 2021. Sarah works with generic and national wine bodies, advising them on how to communicate their shared identity and increase their collective brand value.

swirlwinegroup.com

Assistant Professor of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis

Dr Luis Diaz-Garcia leads the grape breeding program at UC Davis. His research focuses on developing climate-resilient grapevine rootstocks and scion varieties with resistance to major diseases such as Pierce’s disease and powdery mildew. He employs a multidisciplinary approach that integrates advanced phenomics and genomics tools to accelerate breeding progress. Beyond research, Luis collaborates closely with growers and industry partners to deliver practical viticultural solutions.

ucdavis.edu

Vice President, International Marketing

Wine Institute, California Wines

Honore is Vice President of International Marketing for California Wines, with over 20 years of global experience in wine marketing, brand strategy, and export development. She has led major initiatives as Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners, President of Brack Mountain Wine Company, and North American Brand Director for Penfolds and Rosemount Estate. A recognised leader in building brands and expanding international markets, she now champions California wines on the world stage.

wineinstitute.org

Winemaker, Borgogno

Born in Alba in 1990 and trained at the Scuola Enologica di Alba, Andrea Farinetti has led Borgogno since 2010, becoming one of the youngest producers in the Langhe. He restored traditional methods—spontaneous fermentations, long submerged-cap macerations, ageing in large Slavonian casks, and the return to concrete tanks—while converting all vineyards to organics. Committed to sustainability and the resilience of old vines, he has expanded into Tortona, Monferrato, and Etna, adapting heritage vineyards to climate change.

borgogno.com/en

Head of Sustainability at O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

Caine is a global leader in viticultural sustainability. He has pioneered regenerative organic innovation, converting the estate vineyards of Robert Hall (140 acres) in Paso Robles to ROC certification, while also leading O'Neill Vintners to become one of the largest B-Corp and Zero Waste Certified beverage companies globally. Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Future 40 Tastemaker, Caine serves on boards for the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, Organic Trade Enterprise and Sustainable Wine Roundtable. A New Zealand native with a BSC in horticulture and MBA, he’s a viticulturist driving climate-resilient farming across 15,000 acres of estate and grower vineyards.

oneillwine.com

Wine Writer, Author & Wine Producer

Robert Joseph learned the rudiments of wine service in his parents’ restaurant, and of winemaking in Burgundy. He became an editor, with the launch of WINE International, a critic with his Sunday Telegraph column, author of over 20 books, and organiser of the International Wine Challenge. Since 2005, he has produced wine in France and now Georgia, and written regular Devil’s Advocate columns in Meininger’s International. His Substack and forthcoming book are titled ‘Wine Thinking.’

robertejoseph.substack.com

General Manager, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, CA

Scott is a native Californian with deep roots in hospitality, having worked at top San Francisco restaurants including Spruce and Postrio. He transitioned into wine sales at Chambers & Chambers, rising through the ranks to become VP of Sales for California and Hawaii. He also managed the French and German portfolio. Currently Scott is the General Manager of Skurnik Wines & Spirits in CA, where he oversees all aspects of California sales and operations of one of the nation’s most innovative, family owned premium wine and spirits organizations.

skurnik.com

Research & Education Director & Sustainable Winegrowing Director, Lodi Winegrape Commission

Dr. Stephanie Bolton leads viticulture research and winegrower education, plus the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing certification program, for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, an organization representing 750 growers farming 85,000 acres of winegrapes. Stephanie brings a high level of motivation and passion to help the farming families she adores reach their full potential. She has been recognized as a Nuffield International Farming Scholar, a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Honoree, and a Wine Business Monthly Industry Leader.

lodiwine.com

Global Steering Committee, Porto Protocol & CEO, Abacela

Greg is a world-renowned atmospheric scientist and wine climatologist. His research has firmly linked weather and climate with grapevine growth, fruit chemistry, and wine characteristics in regions all around the globe, informing and influencing the wine industry. Dr. Jones also has lifelong ties to the Oregon wine community, most closely with his family winery and vineyards at Abacela where Greg was appointed CEO in 2021. Greg has been a part of the Porto Protocol since its beginning and is proud to serve on its Global Steering Committee.

portoprotocol.com

Winemaker, Turley Wine Cellars & founding member of the Historic Vineyard Society

Tegan has dedicated his career to championing California’s old vine vineyards. He joined Turley in 2003 as Vineyard Manager, becoming Director of Winemaking in 2013. His perspective was shaped by vintages abroad with Doug Wisor (New Zealand), Alain Graillot (Rhône), and Eben Sadie (South Africa). A board member of the Napa Valley Wine Library and co-founder of the Historic Vineyard Society, Tegan also owns Lodi’s historic Kirschenmann Vineyard (1915) and his personal label, Sandlands.

turleywinecellars.com

CEO, Ridge Vineyards

Mark joined Ridge in 1998, serving as General Manager and later President & COO for seven years. As CEO, he works with the Executive Team and Chairman Paul Draper to uphold Ridge’s single-vineyard wine tradition and ensure financial success. A California native, Mark grew up in Palo Alto, studied Economics at UC Berkeley, earned an M.S. in Management from MIT, and was previously CEO of two Silicon Valley software companies.

ridgewine.com

Proprietor / Winemaker, Felline, Puglia

Gregory represents the 3rd generation of Felline. He joined the company in 1989 to carry on the family business and began a "corner" for quality winemaking in his father's large company and a new bottling winery in 1992. Gregory dedicates himself to the selection of interesting old vineyards and to modern winemaking techniques, many of which learned during his numerous trips to California, where he also investigates the link between Primitivo and Californian Zinfandel.

agricolafelline.it/en/

Winemaker, Ehlers Estate

Adam’s journey into wine began with a love of maps and a gift of two wines- Barolo and Mayacamas - that revealed how profoundly place shapes what’s in the glass. Guided by leading winemakers, he learned that great wines begin with great fruit and a deep respect for the vineyard. Today, his philosophy aligns with Ehlers Estate’s commitment to sustainability, honouring authenticity, community, and the enduring dialogue between people, land, and time.

ehlersestate.com

Wine Reporter at The Press Democrat

Sarah Doyle is an award-winning journalist and the wine reporter at The Press Democrat in Sonoma County. Over the last 20 years, she’s divided her time between the wine industry and journalism, giving her a unique perspective behind the pen. Her writing has appeared in over 50 publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, Forbes, and Robb Report. Sarah is a professional wine judge and holds the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wine.

pressdemocrat.com

President/CEO & Co-Proprietor, Grgich Hills Estate & Grigic Vina, Croatia

Violet earned her BA in music at UC Davis while studying biology, chemistry, and oenology. After returning to Grgich Hills, she learned every aspect of winery operations—from bottling to lab work—before earning her Master of Music in harpsichord at Indiana University and joining the winery full-time in 1988. As the daughter of Croatian immigrants, she leads with integrity and inclusivity, advancing regenerative farming and sustainability while honouring the legacy of her parents, Mike and Tatjana Grgich.

Grgich Hills Estate
grgic-vina.com/en/about-us/

Wine Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Jess Lander is the wine reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle. Jess reports on a wide range of topics, including winery and vineyard acquisitions; controversial land use debates; wildfires; farmworker rights; and Wine Country’s most exciting restaurant and tasting room openings. Originally from Boston, Jess moved to Napa Valley in 2010 and has extensively covered wine for numerous national and international publications. In 2021, Jess published “The Essential Napa Valley Cookbook,” a project that raised more than $100,000 for Napa Valley restaurant workers impacted by the pandemic. A second edition was published in 2024.

sfchronicle.com