Washington Wine Technical Group Trial Showcase

Washington Wine Technical Group Trial Showcase 2026

Join the Washington Wine Technical Group for an in-depth, one-day Trial Showcase on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the beautiful Ste Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center in Richland, WA.

This is the event where Washington wine professionals and serious enthusiasts come together to explore cutting-edge trials, share technical insights, and taste wines from real-world experiments. Whether you’re a winemaker, viticulturist, cellar hand, consultant, or simply passionate about the science behind great Washington wine, you’ll leave with new ideas, great connections, and plenty of inspiration.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Location: Ste Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center
359 University Drive, Richland, WA
Time: 8:30 AM – ~3:00 PM (full day)

Registration Fee: $50 (includes lunch + all breaks)

Agenda

• 8:30 AM – Registration & Coffee
• 9:00 AM – Bioprotection in Wine Production
  Nichola Hall, Lallemand / Scott Labs
• 9:45 AM – Fast, Fun, and Fresh: Making Wine for Cashflow
  Tim Donahue, Horse Thief Wine Consulting
  Younger drinkers want fresh, fun, ready-to-drink wines — not trophies. Using real data from three commercial wines, we’ll connect chemistry, timing, and packaging decisions to culture and cashflow.Wines to be tasted:
  • Carbonic Zinfandel – Ita Wines
  • Sauvignon Blanc – Veer Wine Co (Idaho)
  • Riesling – Central New Mexico CC (Colorado juice)
• 10:30 AM – Morning Break
• 10:45 AM – Shriveled Fruit Trial – Dane Day, Columbia Crest Winery
• 11:15 AM – 30,000-Foot View on Low-Alcohol Winemaking – Dane Day, Columbia Crest Winery
• 11:45 AM – Sandy Soil vs. Rock (Broken Basalt): A comparison of Cabernet Sauvignon (same clone, same age vines, same trellis system on two different soil types) – Thomas Henick-Kling, WSU
• 12:15 PM – Lunch (sponsored by Horse Thief Wine Consulting)
• 1:00 PM – Effect of Various Yeast and Bacteria on Smoke Taint Cabernet Sauvignon – Thomas Henick-Kling, WSU
• 2:00 PM: Barrel trial, David Rosenthal and Tim Donohue, L’École 45
• 3:00 PM - Social Hour - bring a sample to discuss

The day will wrap up in the early-to-mid afternoon. Why You Should Attend

• Deep-dive technical sessions from leading winemakers and researchers
• Taste experimental and trial wines you won’t find anywhere else
• Network with Washington’s top wine technical community
• Great food and a relaxed, geek-friendly atmosphere

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

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Host or Publisher Washington Wine Technical Group