February 15, 2008

The 11th annual Central Coast Viticulture and Enology Issues Conference, presented by California State University, Fresno and industry sponsors in San Luis Obispo, will focus on energy and water efficiency – key sustainability elements in vineyard and winery operations.

The two-day conference begins with registration at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center (333 Madonna Road). It includes a visit to an energy-efficient winery construction site. On Friday, Feb. 22, the program begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast and concludes at 12:30 p.m.

Rep. George Radanovich R-Mariposa, a former winery owner, will deliver the keynote luncheon talk at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 to an audience of growers and winemakers from throughout the state. Radanovich will present a federal legislative update on issues affecting the grape and wine industries.

The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (NYSE: PCG) join forces with Fresno State to offer in-depth presentations and discussions on energy and water efficiency aimed at benefiting growers and winemakers in day-to-day operations, said Dr. Robert Wample.

“Energy and water efficiency in vineyard and winery operations is a critical issue facing today’s grape and wine growers,” said Dr. Robert Wample, director of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center and chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology in the Fresno State College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. “By combining and expanding the conference, sessions will focus on energy tools and programs, renewable energy opportunities and management practices that can result in savings for vineyards and wineries.”

Each conference focuses on practical applications and timely topics, Wample added, so participants will visit the Galatea Winery in Arroyo Grande, being constructed of straw bales. Straw bales provide a high insulation factor for energy efficiency and frequently are made of rice straw that otherwise would be burned, adding particulates to Central Valley air pollution.

The 60,000-case Galatea facility will become the world’s largest straw bale winery and its five-story wall will be the world’s tallest made of that material. The afternoon visit Feb. 21 will be followed by a 3:10 p.m. talk by architect Gary Black of Berkeley-based Integrated Structures, the designer and builder of the winery.

Joining Wample from Fresno State will be Winemaster Kenneth Fugelsang.

Presenters include Dr. Doug Beck, Monterey Pacific, Inc.; Black and Cullen Burda, Integrated Structures; John Garn, CSWA; Center for Irrigation Technology; Jeremy Howard and Josaphine Tuchel, PG&E; Ryan Lamberg, Community Fuels; John Rosenblum, Rosenblum Environmental Engineering; Richard Slade, Richard C. Slade & Associates LLC; John Ewan, Pacific Energy; and Buddy Matsuda, Scheid Vineyards.

Panel and session moderators will include Joe Browde of CSWA, Wample and Fugelsang.
Additional supporters, sponsors and exhibitors are ACI-Cork, the American Vineyard magazine, Duarte Nursery, STYL S.N.A.F., SureHarvest, Vintage Nurseries, Wines & Vines magazine, the Central Coast Vineyard Team and Applied Technologies.

The registration fee – $250 per person through Feb. 20, and $275 on Feb. 21 – includes conference materials, lunch, breakfast, refreshments and admission to all sessions.

An optional networking dinner is planned Feb. 21 at F. McLintock's Saloon and Dining House in Shell Beach to recognize event speakers and industry sponsors. Seating is limited and reservations can be made during conference check-in.

A registration form and program details are available online at cast.csufresno.edu/ve or by phone, 559.278.2089. For sponsorships, contact Cynthia Wood at cynthiaw@csufresno.edu.