The biggest and most important wine making learning event of the year in British Columbia is the Annual Enology and Viticulture Conference and Tradeshow at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
This year, the 14th annual event, happens on July 15 to 16.
Hans Buchler, chairman of the BC Wine Grape Council, says, “This conference and tradeshow provides many opportunities for grapegrowers, winemakers, experienced or new to the industry to learn the newest technologies and practices.”
The two-day conference breaks down into two parts. The first part, on viticulture, focuses on understanding soils, vineyard temperature assessments, virus diseases for vines and research from the BC Wine Grape Council.
The second part on enology deals with many of the specialized and technical issues like enzyme use, a hands-on pump repair workshop, filtration and flotation for clarification.
There will also be helpful tips on marketing and practical business issues.
Speakers and visitors from France and the U.S. will join local experts to give advice and informatiion.
One such speaker is Patrick Vuchot from Inter-Rhone who will talk on Rhone varietals. Another is a Washington winemaker who also specializes in Rhone grapes.
The tradeshow will be back with more than a hundred exhibitors to show off the latest and greatest in vineyard and wine making tools and techniques.
For more details on the agenda and ticket pricing go to www.bcwgc.org