PA Wine & Grape Conference and PWA Annual Membership Meeting

Connect with fellow industry professionals, hear updates on the state of the industry, and explore timely topics in marketing, viticulture,
About this Event

The PA Wine & Grape Conference and PWA Annual Membership Meeting is an in-person gathering for Pennsylvania wine and grape industry professionals.

Event Details

• Dates: February 16–17, 2027
• Venue: Nittany Lion Inn, State College
• Program: The conference includes the PA Wines Annual Business Meeting (exclusive for PWA Members) and the Wine and Grape Conference (all industry members welcome to register).

Connect and Learn

Connect with fellow industry professionals, hear updates on the state of the industry, and explore timely topics in marketing, viticulture, winemaking, compliance, business management, and funding. Expert speakers, practical insights, and opportunities to collaborate make this two-day gathering a place to support the continued growth and success of Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry.

Agenda

🕑: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
February 16 | PWA Annual Membership Meeting (Exclusive for PWA Members)

Info: Join us for the PWA Annual Membership Meeting as we review the association’s 2026 marketing initiatives, highlight key accomplishments, and look ahead to priorities and opportunities for the year ahead. The meeting will also feature updates from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), a State of the Industry overview from the Wine Marketing Research Board (WMRB) and the WPA, and an open discussion offering member wineries the opportunity to connect with industry peers, share perspectives, and discuss common challenges and opportunities.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
February 16 | Wine & Grape Conference (Day 1)

Info: The Pennsylvania Wine & Grape Conference brings together winery and vineyard owners, industry professionals, and partners for two days of education, collaboration, and industry insights. Featuring expert-led sessions on viticulture, winemaking, business management, and marketing, the conference offers valuable opportunities to share ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry.

🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Industry Happy Hour & Dinner
🕑: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
February 17 | Wine & Grape Conference (Day 2)
Feb. 16 | PWA Meeting

🕑: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
PA Winery Association Annual Membership Meeting (Exclusive for PWA Members)

Info: Join us for the PWA Annual Membership Meeting as we review the association’s 2026 marketing initiatives, highlight key accomplishments, and look ahead to priorities and opportunities for the year ahead. The meeting will also feature updates from the PLCB, a State of the Industry overview from the Wine Marketing Research Board (WMRB) and the WPA, and an open discussion offering member wineries the opportunity to connect with industry peers, share perspectives, and discuss common challenges and opportunities.

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
PWA Board Strategic Overview & Looking Ahead
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
PLCB
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
State of the Industry (WMRB + WPA)
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Member Open Forum
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Board Nominations & Voting
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
Feb 16 | Wine & Grape

🕑: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Wine & Grape Conference

Info: The Pennsylvania Wine & Grape Conference brings together winery and vineyard owners, industry professionals, and partners for two days of education, collaboration, and industry insights. Featuring expert-led sessions on viticulture, winemaking, business management, and marketing, the conference offers valuable opportunities to share ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Agency 29
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Managing Spring Frost Risk: Strategies to Delay Grapevine Budbreak
Host: Jennifer Phillips-Russo & Dr. Michela Centinari

Info: Spring frost can damage emerging grapevine shoots and threaten yields, while many growers face practical and financial barriers to frost protection. This presentation will explore approaches to delaying budbreak to reduce frost risk, including research on BudBrake-Ag and other strategies, and discuss their potential applications in Northeast
vineyards.

🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
Managing Risk: Tools and Resources for Pennsylvania Grape Growers
Host: Ambrose Hill, Joel Alsdorf, Rob Goodling | Farm Credit

Info: Unexpected events, from extreme weather and crop loss to market fluctuations and operational challenges, can have a significant impact on vineyard operations. This session will explore risk management tools, programs, and resources available to grape growers to help protect their crops, manage uncertainty, and build greater resilience in their businesses.

🕑: 04:15 PM - 05:00 PM
Redox Reactions in Winemaking 101: Understanding and Managing oxidation for wi
Host: Ryan Elias, Ph.D. Professor and Associate Head of Food S

Info: Redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions influence nearly every stage of winemaking, from grape processing and fermentation to aging and bottling. This presentation provides a practical introduction to redox chemistry and explains how oxygen, sulfur dioxide, metals, phenolics, and packaging interact to affect color, aroma, flavor stability, mouthfeel, and wine shelf life.

🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Industry Happy Hour & Dinner
Feb 17 | Wine & Grape

🕑: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Wine & Grape Conference | Day 2

Info: The Pennsylvania Wine & Grape Conference brings together winery and vineyard owners, industry professionals, and partners for two days of education, collaboration, and industry insights. Featuring expert-led sessions on viticulture, winemaking, business management, and marketing, the conference offers valuable opportunities to share ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry.

🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Pesticide Label Changes- What you need to know about the EPA’s new rules
Host: Megan Luke, Viticulture & Tree Fruit Educator

Info: Updates regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s changes to pesticide labels and an overview of tools to implement those changes, including how the changes may affect vineyard management.

🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:30 AM
Building Winery Brands
Host: Kathy Kelley, Ph.D. Professor of Horticultural Marketing

Info: Building Winery Brands: Using Brand Archetypes to Create Meaningful Consumer Connections. Discover how brand archetypes can help wineries define who they are and how they connect with customers. This presentation explores practical branding strategies that align a winery’s identity, messaging, and experiences to create a clear and memorable brand presence.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Williams Compliance
Host: Beth Williams
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Emerging challenges and solutions for disease management of grapes
Host: Dr. Phil Brannen

Info: Key challenges to grape disease management include regulatory hurdles, the revocation of fungicide labels, and fungicide resistance among numerous fungal pathogens. This talk will address these challenges and potential near-term and long-term solutions.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Enzyme
Host: Lee Morse, Scott Labs. Winemaking & Fermentation Special
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Tasting with Linganore Wine Cellars, Mount Airy MD
Host: Ray Mitchum, Linganore
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Not Every Bug Needs a Spray: Practical IPM for Pennsylvania Vineyards
Host: Dr. Flor Acevedo

Info: This presentation will provide an overview of key insect pests affecting Pennsylvania vineyards over the growing season. The presentation will emphasize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that minimize unnecessary pesticide applications while
protecting vine health, fruit quality, and yield.

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Grants Panel