Washington Wine Technical Group Summer Seminar

Summer Seminar 2026

Wine Lab Mastery: Smart Analytics, Serious Savings, and Stellar Wines.

Seminar Schedule

8:45 – 9:00 am Arrival & Networking
9:00 – 9:30 am Welcome Coffee & Pastries
Fresh coffee, pastries, and informal mingling to kick off the day with energy.

9:30 – 10:30 am Thomas – “Wine Chemistry Fundamentals: What to Test, When, and Why It Matters”

• Key analyses: pH, TA, SO₂ (Free, Ripper/AO/Admeo, Molecular), YAN, Malic Acid, Acetic Acid, Glucose/Fructose
• Timing: Pre-MLF, post-MLF, stuck fermentations, and beyond
• How to build a cost-effective in-house lab without sacrificing quality

10:30 – 11:00 am Tim – “The Bottom-Line Question: ETS Labs vs. In-House Analysis – Where’s the Break-Even?”
Practical cost comparison and decision framework every winery should know.

11:00 – 11:30 am Tim – “Volatile Acidity: What It Is, How to Control It, and How to Stop It Before It Stops You”
Real strategies for prevention and management.

11:30 am – 12:15 pm Lunch (provided)
Relaxed networking and conversation time.

12:15 – 1:15 pm Thomas – “Microscopy 101: See Your Wine Like Never Before”
Hands-on session with teaching microscopes

• Proper setup, phase contrast, 100x / 400x / 1000x
• Identifying yeast, tartrates, bacteria, colloids, and more
  Bring your own mystery samples if you’d like!

1:30 – 3:00 pm Bart + Guest Winemakers – “Alternative Varietals Showcase: Tech, Technique & Market Edge”
Lead panel featuring winemakers crafting exciting alternative white and red varietals.
Each presenter will share:

• Technical data and production insights
• Winemaking challenges and creative solutions
• Market positioning and sales success stories
  Wines will be poured — tasting and discussion included.

3:00 – 3:30 pm Wrap-Up, Q&A, and Takeaways
Final thoughts, key action items, and resources for implementing what you learned.

Tickets are $50 and include lunch and all coffee breaks. Space is limited — register early to secure your spot.