Sunday, October 22, 2017
4:00pm-6:00pm
Conference registration open
Lied Lodge – Lower Level
7:00pm-9:00pm
Taste of Vindemia-Welcome reception and networking featuring NE wines
Steinhart Lodge – Located approximately 1 block east of Lied Lodge
Sponsored by Kaufman Container
Monday, October 23, 2017
7:00am
Conference registration open
Lied Lodge – Lower Level
8:00am-8:30am
Opening Session Rosenow C/D
Welcome: Theresa McFarland; President, Nebraska Winery & Grape Growers Association, Mat Habrock; Assistant Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Adam Howard; Director of Mission Engagement, Arbor Day Farm
8:30am-9:15am
General Session A Rosenow C/D
The Political Horizon and Business Climate for the U.S. Wine Industry: What You Don’t Know Yet
Jim Tresize, President, Wine America
9:15am-10:00am
Keynote Address Rosenow C.D
Adaptations and Alternatives: Changing Weather Patterns and Impacts on MidWest grapes
Paul Huttner, Chief Meteorologist, Minnesota Public Radio
10:00am-10:45am
Break – Steinhart Room
Trade Show Area Open (10:00am-5:00pm)
10:45am-11:30am
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session B
Rosenow A
Establishing an Equipment Co-op: Is a Handshake Good Enough????
Donald Moore, President and CEO, First Central Bank
Enology Tract
Parallel Session C
Rosenow C/D
Identifying Faults That Make Good Wines Go Bad
Dr. Stephen Menke, Enology Associate Professor, Colorado State University
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session D
Rosenow B
Identifying and Cultivating Your “Company Culture”: How Vala’s Pumpkin Patch Did It and You Can Too!
Kelsey Vala, Co-Owner, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch
11:30am-1:00pm
Lunch – Timber Dining Room, Lied Lodge (Main Level)
- Included in registration
General Session E (Optional) 11:45am-12:45pm Terrace Room
Planning For the Future of Your Business After You’re In a Better Place (I mean retirement)
Eryka Morehead, CEO, Collaborative Planning Group
1:00pm-2:15pm
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session F
Rosenow B
Healthy Grapes are Happy Grapes
Larry Shafer, Vice President, Agro-K Corporation
Enology Tract
Parallel Session G
Rosenow A
From Good to Great: How to Improve Winemaking, Winemakers and Wine Quality: (Part 1)
Dr. Stephen Menke, Enology Associate Professor, Colorado State University
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session H
Rosenow C/D
Heather Smith, General Manager, Certified Sommelier, The Grey Plume
Requires additional fee
2:15pm-3:00pm
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session I
Rosenow C/D
Balancing Mechanization and Sustainability: Nebraska Grower Panel
Nebraska Grower Panel
Enology Tract
Parallel Session J
Rosenow A
From Good to Great: How to Improve Winemaking, Winemakers and Wine Quality: (Part 2)
Dr. Stephen Menke, Enology Associate Professor, Colorado State University
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session K
Rosenow B
Making Social Media Work For YOUR Business Examples and How To
Steve Maly, Activist, Maly Marketing
3:00pm-3:45pm
Break – Steinhart Room
Trade Show Area Open
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Vineyard Demo
Walk or take hayracks from Lied Lodge Entrance to Historic Morton Barns
5:00pm
Happy Half Hour
Historic Morton Barns – Enjoy Ciders & Specialty Wines
5:30pm-7:00pm
Vindemia BBQ at Historic Morton Barns
Sponsored by MPI Label Systems (Label Gallery)
7:00pm-8:00pm
Bonfire at The Morton Oak
Sponsored by MPI Label Systems (Label Gallery)
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
8:00am-8:15am
Opening Session
8:15am-9:00am
Keynote Address Rosenow C/D
Sustainability From Grapes to Glass: Sustainable Winegrowing in California
Lisa Francioni-Hai, Program Director for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
9:00am-9:45am
General Session L Rosenow C/D
Partnering in Sustainable Practices: tips from Our Organic Friends
Alex McKiernan, Owner, Robinette Farms
9:45am-10:30am
Break – Steinhart Room
Trade Show Area Open (9:45am-3:00pm)
10:30am-11:30am
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session M
Rosenow C/D
Mitigating Impact of Major Threat To Sustainable Grape Growing-Herbicide Drift, Part 1
Panel
Enology Tract
Parallel Session N
Rosenow A
Sustainability in the Winery: Pioneering Wineries: Forging the Path
Lisa Francioni-Hai, Program Director for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session O
Rosenow B
Seeing What Your Customers See: Premises Audit and Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Jennifer Reeder, Owner, Deer Springs Winery & Barry McFarland, General Manager, Mac’s Creek Winery
11:30am-1:00pm
Lunch – Timber Dining Room, Lied Lodge (Main Level)
- Included in registration
General Session P (Optional) 12:30pm – 1:30pm Terrace Room
Legislative Update and “CALL TO ACTION”
Les & Trish Meyer, Knock-Out Partners
1:00pm-2:30pm
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session Q
Rosenow B
Mitigating Impact of Major Threat to Sustainable Grape Growing-Herbicide Drift, Part 2
Panel
Enology Tract
Parallel Session R
Rosenow C/D
Creating Our Niche Wines: Bountiful Fruits of the Midwest: Brianna
WINE TASTING SESSION
Dr. Anne Fennell, Professor Grape Genomics and BioSNTR, South Dakota State University
Requires Additional Fee
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session S
Rosenow A
Quality Experience = Customer For Life: Customer Service at Its Best
Elizabeth Slater, Founder, In Short Direct Marketing
2:30pm-3:00pm
Break – Steinhart room
Trade Show Area Open: Last Blast of Exhibits
3:00pm-4:30pm
Viticulture Tract
Parallel Session T
Rosenow A
Sustainability in the Vineyard: Pioneering Grape Growers Forging the Path
Lisa Francioni-Hai, Program Director for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
Enology Tract
Parallel Session U
Rosenow C/D
Creating Our Niche Wines: Bountiful Fruits of the Midwest: Red Blends
WINE TASTING SESSION
Ethan Joseph, Winemaker, Shelburne Winery
Requires Additional Fee
Winery Management Tract
Parallel Session V
Rosenow B
Good Fortune vs Misfortune: Event Planning Makes The Difference
Elizabeth Slater, Founder, In Short Direct Marketing
7:00pm-9:00pm
Vino Veritas Rosenow C/D
Harvest Dinner Celebration