Jan 29, 2019

Innovation is theme at upcoming NY wine industry event

Winemakers and grape growers looking to innovate in all phases of their operations can gain cutting-edge advice from Cornell University and other experts at the 2019 B.E.V. NY (Business.Enology.Viticulture) conference Feb. 27-March 1 at the Rochester Institute of Technology Conference Center in Henrietta, New York.

B.E.V. NY is an annual event hosted by Cornell University enology, viticulture and business experts with the mission of providing cutting-edge research updates to the New York wine industry. The theme of this year’s event is “innovation” with a focus on using alternative methods for the production and sales of wine.

The event kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 27 with Business Day, highlighting compliance issues, digital tools and best practices for winery websites. Sam Filler, the director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, will also speak about the Foundation’s strategic direction for 2019.

Other highlights of Business Day include discussions on consumer preferences regarding canned wines, expert response to non-traditional grapes in France and the importance of wine label design.

On Enology Day, aromatic wine producers can learn about new yeast nutrient management techniques and viability measurements in wine microbes. Canned wines will continue to be a major highlight with a sessions on wine chemistry in alternative packaging and panels and tastings of both New York and international canned wines. A discussion on Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training led by Randy Worobo and Chris Gerling of Cornell will top off Enology Day.

Friday’s Viticulture Program will showcase sessions on alternative vineyard practices, such as sheep for weed control. Other sessions include how vineyard practices influence fruit and quality characteristics, destination of photosynthates in grapevines at different stations of development, carry-over effects of a study on Riesling, a history of the formation of Finger Lakes soils, climate change impacts on New York agriculture and a variety of pest management topics.

This year’s B.E.V. NY conference includes a tradeshow featuring innovative wine equipment and services on all three days. The event will conclude with the New York Wine and Grape Foundation’s Unity Luncheon for all attendees, which celebrates individual achievements in the New York wine industry.

Registration, sponsorship and trade show information is available at http://www.bevny.org/