Thank you for joining us at this year’s Symposium!
Exceptional Wine and the People Who Make it
The annual AAAV Symposium is a cornerstone event that unites vintners, industry professionals, enthusiasts, and supporters in a celebration of culture, innovation, and community. Renowned for its rich array of educational sessions, the symposium features workshops and panels led by industry experts covering essential topics such as viticulture, enology, marketing, and business development. These sessions ignite meaningful discussions on diversity and inclusion while providing attendees with invaluable knowledge and insights. Networking opportunities abound, with wine tastings, dinners, and social gatherings fostering lasting connections and shared experiences.
Exceptional Wine and the People That Make It
The annual AAAV Symposium is a cornerstone event that unites vintners, industry professionals, enthusiasts, and supporters in a celebration of culture, innovation, and community. Renowned for its rich array of educational sessions, the symposium features workshops and panels led by industry experts covering essential topics such as viticulture, enology, marketing, and business development. These sessions ignite meaningful discussions on diversity and inclusion while providing attendees with invaluable knowledge and insights. Networking opportunities abound, with wine tastings, dinners, and social gatherings fostering lasting connections and shared experiences.
Saturday, March 9th from 10 am – 5 pm
Lifting The Bar: Expanding Your Wine Business
CIA at Copia, 500 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559
$350 per person (includes luncheon and reception prepared by the Culinary Institute of America and exclusive wines provided by members of AAAV)
- 10:00 am - 10:30 am - Welcome and Networking
- 10:45 am - 11:45 am - Morning Panel “Sommelier Unveiled: Beyond the Glass”
- 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Keynote Luncheon “A Conversation with Donae Burston of La Fête Wine Company”
- 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm - Afternoon Panel “Alternative Pathways to Market”
- 3:30 pm - 5 pm - Awards Reception
Sunday, March 10th from 12 pm – 4 pm
Grapes of Inclusion: AAAV’s Black-Owned Wine Festival
CIA at Copia, 500 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559
$200 per person (includes appetizers prepared by the Culinary Institute of America and exclusive wines provided by members of AAAV)
Taste the wines of 20+ Black-owned brands from across America and meet the founders and winemakers behind them. Nosh on gourmet bites prepared by CIA chefs.
Network with industry professionals and discover unique wines from participating producers, including: Bodkin Wines, Hedon State, La Fete Wine Company, Longevity, Love Cork Screw, LoveLee Wine, J Moss Winery, Mad Marvlus, McBride Sisters Wine Company, Mom Juice, Mount Peak Winery, P. Harrell Wines, Sapere Wines, Sipwell Wine Co, Stover Oaks Winery, The Vice, Theopolis Vineyards, The Shepard Collection, Tympany Vineyards, Viarae, and Wade Cellars.
Saturday, March 9th from 10 am – 5 pm
Lifting The Bar: Expanding Your Wine Business
CIA at Copia, 500 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559
$350 per person (includes luncheon and reception prepared by the Culinary Institute of America and exclusive wines provided by members of AAAV)
- 10:00 am - 10:30 am - Welcome and Networking
- 10:45 am - 11:45 am - Morning Panel “Sommelier Unveiled: Beyond the Glass”
- 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Keynote Luncheon “A Conversation with Donae Burston of La Fête Wine Company”
- 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm - Afternoon Panel “Alternative Pathways to Market”
- 3:30 pm - 5 pm - Awards Reception
Sunday, March 10th from 12 pm – 4 pm
Grapes of Inclusion: AAAV’s Black-Owned Wine Festival
CIA at Copia, 500 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559
$200 per person (includes appetizers prepared by the Culinary Institute of America and exclusive wines provided by members of AAAV)
Keynote with Donae Burston
Donae Burston, founder of La Fête Wine Company, shared his views on the efficacy of supplier diversity programs as well as barriers and impactful next steps to help make the wine industry more inclusive.
Sommelier Unveiled: Beyond the Glass
This panel discussed many aspects of the role of a sommelier, including education, career paths and even how a sommelier can help boost business. Wine Unify Executive Director Alicia Towns Franken moderated the lively conversation featuring Ink Grade Hospitality Manager Balkis Johnson, Master Sommelier Vincent Morrow and George Walker III of Wade Cellars.
Sommelier Unveiled: Beyond the Glass
This panel discussed many aspects of the role of a sommelier, including education, career paths and even how a sommelier can help boost business. Wine Unify Executive Director Alicia Towns Franken moderated the lively conversation featuring Ink Grade Hospitality Manager Balkis Johnson, Master Sommelier Vincent Morrow and George Walker III of Wade Cellars.
Alternative Pathways to Market
In this panel discussion, James Harris, CDP, Sr. Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity at H-E-B, Vinoshipper President Steven Harrison and Murice Anderson, Founder & CEO of AMG Branding, dug into the many ways wine producers can sell their wines to consumers outside the traditional distribution model.
Sponsors + Announcements
We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who are helping AAAV make wine inclusive, and our growing community of conscious consumers dedicated to equity beyond the glass to all areas of wine.
Sponsors + Announcements
We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who are helping AAAV make wine inclusive, and our growing community of conscious consumers dedicated to equity beyond the glass to all areas of wine.
Community Partners
Community Partners
