16th Annual Varietal Seminar
"Beyond the Cabernet Horizon"

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Saturday, August 12 at Copia, Napa

Board member John Skupny introduced the tenth Varietal Seminar he has helped put together. According to John, 32,000 acres are planted to black grapes in Napa Valley; 26,000 are in Bordeaux varieties and just 6,000 in "other black varietals." Vintners on the faculty of "Beyond the Cabernet Horizon" represent a determined and dedicated, perhaps even a visionary, minority in the Valley.

Pinot Noir – Miles to Go

Moderated by Greg Walter, editor and publisher of the newsletter, "PinotReport; for people passionate about western Pinot Noir", session panelists were Jerome Chery, winemaker at Saintsbury Winery; Michael Richmond, general manager of Bouchaine Vineyards; Amelia Ceja, proprietress for Ceja Vineyards; and James Hall, proprietor and winemaker at Patz & Hall.

Greg Walter

Greg began with the ukase, "You really need to let Pinot Noir open up and show what it's got. It never gets enough air." Greg was with Wine Spectator for 25 years before starting "PinotReport." He has been an advocate for Pinot Noir since long before "Sideways," which Greg called a turning point for the wine industry. He introduced Jerome.