ST. HELENA, CALIFORNIA | MARCH 21, 2018: The Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemakers’ & Viticultural Roundtable will host noted writer and critic, Esther Mobley of the San Francisco Chronicle, Wednesday, March 21st, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 pm at one of Napa Valley’s most historic and majestic properties, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, located at 2555 Main Street, Saint Helena, CA 94574.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Continuing our roundtable tradition of personal conversations with key writers and critics, WWS welcomes Esther Mobley, noted wine, beer & spirits writer at the San Francisco Chronicle since 2015. Previously she was an assistant editor at Wine Spectator in New York, and before that an intern for Wine Enthusiast magazine and wineries in Napa and Argentina.
ABOUT THE EVENT The roundtable will open at 3:00 p.m. in the CIA Barrel Room with assorted fine wines, cheese, fellowship and networking followed by a 3:30 p.m. behind-the-scenes tour. At 4:00 p.m., the group will gather for announcements then enjoy the speaker’s comments, followed by a question and answer session.
Ms. Mobley will share her views on writing and tasting for The Chronicle and other publications, her view of the media landscape, working effectively with the press and more. Her expertise with our industry and beyond will provide a framework for a lively discussion.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle or two of their wine as thanks for the Roundtable hosts and speaker.
Roundtable chair Julie Hagler Lumgair noted, “This is an exceptional opportunity for attendees to interact with a noted writer and ask candid questions and in a very friendly, relaxed environment.”
Carpools from Napa and Sonoma are available.
RSVP DETAILS: Please, no walk-ins. The free roundtable meeting is open to WWS Winemaking and Viticulture Roundtable members and qualified interested women winemakers and viticulturists that have emailed and received RSVP guest confirmations through the Roundtable Chair. To RSVP, or for any questions on this event or future WWS Winemaking Roundtable events, please contact the Chair, Julie Lumgair (Julie@Lumgair.com | 415-786-3415).
ABOUT THE HOSTS: The venue is being generously hosted in the CIA Greystone’s historic Barrel Room by CIA professor and MS, Robert Bath. Each of the wines served will represent some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest, made and donated by the WWS Roundtable’s Program Committee. Winemaker hosts include Melissa Apter (Metzker Family Estates), Jennifer Higgins (Lambert Bridge Winery), Julie Lumgair (J. Moss Winery and new ventures), Alicia Sylvester (Lancaster Estate) and Marisa Taylor (Rutherford Hill Winery).
ABOUT THE WINEMAKING & VITICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE: This Roundtable meets approximately six times a year, taking a harvest break. It is a great time to expand skills while reconnecting and meeting new industry professionals.
Roundtable Chair, Ms. Lumgair noted, “Our past meeting topics have focused upon the C-suite professional skills and other key industry insights women winemakers and viticultural professionals need but aren’t always easy to get in their daily work environment.”
She further explained that, “Held at some of Napa and Sonoma’s finest host wineries, these programs have been a fantastic opportunity for women winemakers and viticulturists to connect directly, in a friendly professional forum, with experts that they otherwise wouldn’t get to meet for personal advice and questions. Some of our recent speakers have included leading wine publication critics and senior editors, global sensory consultants, sommeliers, media trainers, CFO’s and GM’s in panel discussions and key recruiters.”
Professionally qualified winemaker and viticulture guests may attend up to two Roundtables before deciding to join. To RSVP, or for any questions on this event or future WWS Winemaking Roundtable events, please contact the Chair.
ABOUT ADDITIONAL WWS ROUNDTABLES: WWS’ eight current professional roundtables serve to provide a welcoming and confidential environment to meet in small peer groups on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Members network, provide advice and support for one another, as well as foster educational occasions by inviting guest speakers in their fields and discussing ‘hot issues’ facing members in their day-to-day work. Multiple Roundtables have developed for WWS industry members in finance, accounting, human resources, winemaking/viticulture and marketing/direct-to-consumer fields.
The Napa/Sonoma Chapter currently has more than 400 members of which 80% are wine industry professionals. To join or learn more about WWS’ roundtables, please visit www.womenforwinesense.org. For inquiries about other WWS roundtables for additional functions besides winemaking and viticulture, contact the Napa| Sonoma Chapter’s Roundtables Director, Lisa Bishop Forbes, lbishopforbes@gmail.com.
ABOUT WOMEN FOR WINESENSE: WWS is a not-for-profit organization 501(c)6. The Napa| Sonoma Chapter founded in 1990 is the founding chapter of this national organization which provides outstanding educational and networking opportunities to both wine industry professionals and wine enthusiasts by presenting educational, insightful and stimulating events in a welcoming, fun environment. Both men and women of legal drinking age are welcome to join. There is an exciting line-up of events planned for 2018.
