Winemakers & Viticulturists Technical Symposium
At The Hacienda, Shell Beach CA
Wednesday & Thursday, February 29-March 1

For those already registered for the Winemakers Technical Symposium at WOPN 2012 - Welcome!  The "Tech" is scheduled for February 29th - March 1st, immediately preceding the full World of Pinot Noir event. Based on the success of previous years, the general format will remain the same: a blind tasting of the 2011 vintage, discussion, reveal, question and answer session.

For 2012, we continue with the educational theme "Bring something that will teach something."  The ideal sample to bring is not your best or worst lot in the winery, but one that is specific: vineyard site, clone, winemaking technique, barrel type, etc.

Once you select your sample/lot for the symposium (one sample per winery - not per person), you will need to complete a data sheet (using the link, below).  All data sheets are compiled and a notebook is given to each participant for reference at the symposium.

Then bring four (5) 750ml bottles of your sample to the Tech.

Data Sheet for Your Sample: Due Tuesday, February 17th. Please be respectful of your fellow attendees and submit your data by the deadline.

Please click this link to send complete details about the wine you are bringing to the Technical Symposium.  Once all fields are filled in, click SUBMIT at the bottom of the form and it will automatically be transmitted.  If you elect to have ETS run analysis on your sample (see instructions at the bottom of this page), the results will be included on a separate sheet in the Tech Symposium notebooks.

The Hacienda

The Hacienda in Shell Beach is about a mile and a half south of The Cliffs Resort. This private estate offers space for the seminar as well as plenty of space for fun with a game room, ping pong table, pool table and scenic outdoor space.

There will be a continental breakfast and a buffet lunch at The Hacienda on both Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday evening will feature a dinner in San Luis Obispo for the group, which promises to be a fun evening of conviviality! These meals and transportation to/from Wednesday evening's dinner are included in the cost of the symposium.  (sorry, dinner tickets are not available for guests)

For complete details of the Tech Agenda and Events, click here.

Transportation

The Hacienda is on a private neighborhood street. Noise should be kept to a low growl. Parking is extremely limited. Please take the bus to The Hacienda from The Cliffs.

Bus transportation departs The Cliffs Resort at 8:00am on Wednesday to take you to the Hacienda. You’ll arrive in plenty of time for breakfast before the Symposium. Lunch will both be served at the Hacienda on Wednesday. The bus will return to The Cliffs Resort after the seminar on Wednesday, and then depart for dinner in San Luis Obispo.

Bus transportation departs The Cliffs Resort at 8:00am on Thursday to take you to the Hacienda. A continental breakfast will be available before the Symposium begins. Lunch will also be served at the Hacienda. At the conclusion of the symposium the bus will return to The Cliffs.

Instructions for ETS Analysis of Wine (Optional): Due Tuesday, February 17th

As in years past, ETS will perform an analysis package for the 2012 World of Pinot Noir Technical Symposium participants’sample lots at a 50% discount ($135 vs. regular fee of $270).  ETS will also have a participant at the symposium to lend insight into the analysis.

This analysis includes: Chemistry Panel (TA, pH, VA, Total SO2, Free SO2, Molecular SO2), Glucose+Fructose, Malic Acid, Ethanol, Ethylphenols (4EP, 4EG), and Rapid Phenolics.

The analysis will be performed and the results will be sent both directly to you and also to WOPN for inclusion in the technical binders. The addition of these results will help facilitate discussion during the symposium.

If you have elected to have your wine tested at ETS, here are the Sample Submission Guidelines:

• Leave as little headspace as possible
• Samples should be clearly labeled: Client: WOPN Conference
• The sample ID should contain the following information:
  Vintage Year, Winery Name, and Lot Identification (e.g. 2010 XYZ Vineyards Lot 1)

Please submit a single 750mL bottle and send to:

ETS Laboratories
899 Adams Street, Suite A
St. Helena, CA 94574

Samples are due to ETS by February 13, 2012.