2023 SommCon Conference & Expo Schedule

Sunday, September 10, 2023
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Welcome Happy Hour
Social & Networking
Monday, September 11, 2023
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Pouring Wisdom: The Power of Mentorship & Peer to Peer Support in the Beverage Sector
The Business of Beverage
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Expo Hall Open
 
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Paso Robles’ Rarest Wine Varietals
The Business of Beverage
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Australia’s Great Cabernet Sauvignon Terroirs
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Premium Argentina: A New Movement Of Luxury Wines
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Old Vine Master Class
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
The Truer Vision: Pathways To Profitability Through Diversity
Industry Trends & Insights
From Influence To Action: Somm Sustainability Talk & Workshop
Production & Techniques
Discovering Japanese Craft Spirits - Shochu & Awamori
Spirits & Mixology
Techniques Behind The Bar: Hands-on Introduction To Balanced Cocktails
Spirits & Mixology
Entrepreneurship Part 1: Life After Restaurants And Best Practices To Become A Consultant
The Business of Beverage
Exploration of Career Paths in the Beverage Industry
The Business of Beverage
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Behind the Barrel: A Blind Tasting by Bourbon Expert Tom Fischer
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Future of the Wine Industry in SoCal
The Business of Beverage
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Rocky Mountain High: Uniquely Compelling Wines From The Valley Of Aosta
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Go On, Bloom Big: Loire Valley
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Round Up The Usual Suspects.....or Not
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Discover The Beauty And Versatility Of Madeira Wine
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Cava’s Quest For Quality: What’s New Within The D.O.
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Napa Valley’s Green Scene
Production & Techniques
Additives In Tequila: What Are They And Why Are They Used?
Spirits & Mixology
Building An Award Winning Beverage Program In A Private Club
The Business of Beverage
Entrepreneurship Part 2: Workshop, Practical Applications & Success Stories From Experts
The Business of Beverage
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
How the craft beverage space is evolving (the way people are drinking is changing what does that mean to the beverage makers)
The Business of Beverage
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
The Future of the Wine List: Exploring The Role Of AI and Machine Learning
Industry Trends & Insights
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
European Garnacha/Grenache Quality Wines Seminar And Pairing Dinner
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
SommChill Party
 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
California Cabernet: Origins Outside of Napa
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
The Oldest World: Exploring Israeli Wine And Modern Consumer Trends
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Dreaming Of Sheep And Wine: Climate And Emerging Regenerative Farming Practices
Production & Techniques
What Do Natural, Organic, Sustainable And Biodynamic Really Mean Anyway??
Production & Techniques
Women Shaping the Industry through Mentorship
The Business of Beverage
Recession Proof - How The Wine Industry Adapts To Economic Volatility
The Business of Beverage
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Classical Music For The Win(e)! Unlock The Power Of Classical Music For Wine
Industry Trends & Insights
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Expo Hall Open
 
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Business Case For Alcohol In Space (Yes, The Final Frontier)
Industry Trends & Insights
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Study Tips for Theory & Tasting Exams
The Business of Beverage
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Sensory Perception: Structure & Aroma Component Tasting
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Orvieto: The Magic of the People, Place and Wines
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Altitude Matters
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Languedoc Wines: A Fresh Approach to Wine Lists and Strong Bottom Lines
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Timeless Traditions and Today's Triumphs: Exploring the Evolution of Rioja
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Cannabis Beverages 101
Industry Trends & Insights
Icons And Discoveries From The 2023 Slow Wine Guide USA
Production & Techniques
Innovation Or Tradition?
Production & Techniques
Island Time: A Journey Through The World Of Rum
Spirits & Mixology
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday Lunch & Tasting
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Wines From Spain: A wine route to discover the flavours of Castilla y Leon
 
Celebrating the Magic Mosaic: An Invitation to Discover People, Passion and Place in WA Wine
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Champagne Games
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Wine, Water & Food Pairing with a Master Sommelier: Taste and learn how the real art of pairing goes far beyond the color of the protein and the color of the wine.
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Baja California: Cool Wines From "Hot" Terroirs
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
A Comparison of Wines from Basalt Terroir
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Exploring Ancient Varieties From The Origins Of Wine
Advanced Tasting & Sensory Evaluations
Climate Change And The Future Of Sustainability
Production & Techniques
Your Health & Alcohol
The Business of Beverage
AI-Driven Software for Wine: Insight from the Entrepreneurs Who Built It
The Business of Beverage