In 2015, Texas Hill Country Wineries established the esteemed Hill Country Wine Symposium. This event consists of seminars, lectures, panel discussions and an intimate trade show providing you the opportunity to connect with your current Texas clients, while also meeting new potential accounts.
2025 Event Agenda
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Monday
January 13
12pm: Exhibitor Setup
3pm: Early bird check-in
6pm: 11th Annual Symposium Welcome Reception - BYOW
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Conf.app Symposium App
Symposium AppNew this year we'll be using the Conf.app platform to help you navigate the Symposium. The app will include all session details, speaker info, sponsor and exhibitor contacts and more.
Download now to get your account set up, and plan out your schedule.
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Tuesday
January 14
9am: Welcome
9:30am: Opening Keynote Speaker
10:30am: Exhibitor Break
11am: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
12pm: Lunch & Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Awards
1:30pm: Breakout Sessions
2:30pm: Exhibitor Break
3pm: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
4pm: Exhibitor Break
4pm-6pm: Scott Laboratories Reception, Cedar Ballroom
4pm-6pm: Texas Wine Growers Reception, Travertine Ballroom
6pm: Winemaker Dinner (separate ticket)
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Wednesday
January 15
8am: Breakfast Tacos & Networking
9am: Breakout Sessions
10am: Exhibitor Break
10:30am: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
11:30am: Lunch & Hill Country Industry Awards
1pm: Breakout Sessions
2pm: Exhibitor Break
2:30pm: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
3:30pm: Exhibitor Break
4pm: Closing Keynote Speaker
2025 Educational Sessions Agenda
Tuesday, January 14
9am: Welcome - Main Ballroom
9:30am: Opening Keynote: Vintage Growth: The History of Texas Wine - sponsored by Moss Adams - Dr Richard Becker, Becker Vineyards - Main Ballroom
10:30am: Exhibitor Break
11am: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
- BUSINESS: Understanding Neo-Prohibition: A Call to Action for Wineries -
Amy Gross, Founder & CEO VineSleuth/Wine4.Me & National President, Women for WineSense
The Neo-Prohibitionist movement is gaining traction and reshaping public perceptions of alcohol consumption, with far-reaching implications for the wine industry. For wineries and wine professionals, staying informed and prepared is no longer optional—it's essential.
In this seminar, Amy Gross will delve into the movement’s roots, motivations, and tactics, and share proactive strategies for addressing the challenges posed by the movement. This session will equip you with tools to protect and elevate your business during these headwinds. Don’t wait for others to shape the narrative. Whether you're a winery owner, marketer, or professional,
this seminar provides the knowledge and inspiration you need to champion your craft confidently.
Main Ballroom
- TASTING: Viognier - Mike Batek/Hye Meadow Winery, Rogelio Orocio/Bingham Family Vineyards, Brent Pape/Perissos Vineyard, Tyler Wolz/Slate Theory & Panel - F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
- VINEYARD: Jackie Mancuso, Atlas Vineyard Management - Operational and development costs of a vineyard - sponsored by Texas Tech University - Limestone
12pm: Lunch sponsored by Berlin Packaging & Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Awards & Non-Profit Spotlight: Women for WineSense & Grafted - Main Ballroom
1:30pm: Breakout Sessions
- BUSINESS: Navigating Demographic Changes: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Fresh Audiences - Susan DeMatei, WineGlass Marketing - Main Ballroom
By now you’ve noticed a change in the age of consumers coming into your tasting rooms – and they aren’t always the same consumers that are buying online. This seminar will share the latest research on how different generations shop for, consider and repurchase products while highlighting what you can apply at your winery. A special emphasis on younger generations will ensure that your strategies are future proof and will appeal to audiences for the next decade.
- WINERY: Enhancing Winery Operations Panel - Michael Barton, Signor Vineyards + Kim McPherson, McPherson Cellars - sponsored by Texas Tech University - Limestone
- VINEYARD: From Tending Vines to Selling Wines - Making the transition from being a grapegrower to making and selling wine is a huge journey that has been undertaken by several prominent growers in Texas. This panel will weigh in on the good, bad, and ugly of deciding to open a winery based on one’s experience in viticulture. Please join us for a conversation with Katy Jane Seaton, Nolan Newsom, Rob Parr, and Akhil Reddy moderated by Dr. Julie Kuhlken.
Moderator - Julie Kuhlken, Pedernales Cellars. Panel - Nolan Newsom - Newsom Vineyard, Katy Jane Seaton - Farmhouse Vineyard, Robb Parr - Parr Vineyard & Akhil Reddy - Reddy Vineyards.
F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
2:30pm: Exhibitor Break
3pm: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
- BUSINESS: Pouring the Perfect Pitch: How Wineries Can Shine in City Magazines - Jennifer McInnis, San Antonio Magazine - Main Ballroom
One size does not fit all when pitching the media. Learn how to craft your pitch to resonate with a regional publication’s audience and align with its editorial interests.
- TASTING: Cabernet Sauvignon: Jon Leahy/Becker Vineyards, Tim Drake/ Michael Ros Winery & Farmhouse Vineyards, Michael Barton/Signor Vineyards, Tony Offill/William Chris Wine Company - F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
- VINEYARD: Breaking the Perception of Quality: John Rivenburgh/Kerrville Hills Winery, Craig Tevis/Tevis Vineyard Management, Doug Lewis/Lewis Wines - sponsored by Texas Wine Growers - Limestone
4pm: Exhibitor Break
4pm-6pm: Scott Lab Reception, Cedar Ballroom
4pm-6pm: Texas Wine Growers Reception, Travertine Ballroom
6pm: Winemaker Dinner (separate ticket)
Wednesday, January 15
8am: Breakfast Tacos & Networking
9am: Breakout Sessions
- BUSINESS: TABC Updates from the Executive Director - Thomas Graham, Executive Director & Jared Staples, Director of Public & Government Affairs - sponsored by Texas Wine Growers - Main Ballroom
Hear about the latest agency activities and compliance issues impacting the wine industry and discuss with TABC’s leadership the issues that are important to you.
- WINERY: Current Topics in Texas Grapes & Wine: Maureen Qualia & Kirk Williams, Texas Tech University
Phenolics: Can targeted leaf thinning improve phenolics/ color in grapes and wine while also preventing sun damage? Results from year one.
Microbial concern: Lactobacillus kunkeei (Ferocious lactobacillus) : What is it? What is its prevalence in Texas? How is it impacting grapes and wine? Spoiler alert: It’s a real spoiler!
Limestone
- BUSINESS: Allocation Programs and Multi-Channel Sales: Austin Pitzer, Noblemen Wines
Many wineries take their own approach when developing their sales program. After 16 years in the wine industry, Austin Pitzer has seen several different sales models - and learned along the way which ones are successful and which require some reworking. Join us to discuss building a multi-channel sales program and explore how adding an allocation program can boost sales.
F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
10am: Exhibitor Break
10:30am: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
- BUSINESS: Free the Grapes, Thea Schlendorf - History of winery to consumer direct shipping, What is Free The Grapes?, State of the States and What You Can Do - Main Ballroom
- TASTING: Picpoul Blanc: Bob Young/Bending Branch Winery, Jason Centanni/Llano Estacado Winery, Ned Murphy/Seventh Son Vineyard, Ron Yates/Ron Yates Wines & Spicewood Vineyards - F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
- BUSINESS: Sammy Lam, Wanderlust Wine Co - Wine Marketing: best practices in harnessing social media for driving traffic - Limestone
11:30am: Lunch sponsored by Comerica Bank & Hill Country Industry Awards & Non-Profit Spotlight - FlavoryTX & Texas Wine Auction - Main Ballroom
1pm: Breakout Sessions
- BUSINESS: Distribution from a Winery Point of View Panel - Karen Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Winery & Jennifer Syma, Ask For Texas Wines + More TBA - Main Ballroom
-WINERY: pHine tuning your wines: Controlling Malolactic Fermentation for Quality and Stability - Andreea Botezatu, Texas A&M University
This presentation will discuss the complex relationship between pH management and wine quality, with a particular focus on the role of malolactic fermentation (MLF). Attendees will gain insights into how pH impacts microbial stability, sensory attributes, and aging potential, and briefly explore strategies for optimizing pH in winemaking. Participants will also learn how MLF in high-pH environments can lead to undesirable outcomes, including further reduced acidity, and increased risk of spoilage. The session will highlight best practices for inhibiting MLF when desired, such as sulfur dioxide management, sterile filtration, pH adjustment, and the use of antimicrobial agents for maintaining wine quality.
Limestone
- BUSINESS: Beyond Basic Training – How to Empower Your Staff and Create a Work Environment That Employees Take Pride In - Daniel Kushnir, Ironstone Vineyards - F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
Trying to hire and retain staff that are knowledgeable, personable and versatile at the average industry pay rate is a TR Manager’s equivalent to trying to squeeze water from a stone. But there are ways to hire and keep quality employees without having to pay outside of your budget. This topic focuses on how to empower your staff in a way that they take pride in their position and enjoy coming into work, rather than just punching in to punch out.
2pm: Exhibitor Break
2:30pm: Breakout Sessions & Tasting Session
- BUSINESS: James Tidwell, TEXSOM - Authenticity, a sense of place, how Texas wine is represented in restaurants and with Sommeliers - Main Ballroom
- TASTING: Teroldego: John Rivenburgh/Kerrville Hills Winery, Nikhila Narra Davis/Kalasi Cellars/Narra Vineyards, Janet Miertschin/Portree Cellars, Bret Gorman/Pepper Jack Vineyard
F Ballroom/The Tasting Room
- BUSINESS: Maximizing Sales: Turning Fewer Visitors into Greater Revenue - Liz Mercer, WISE Academy - Limestone
In this session, WISE will reveal insights from recent Texas Hill Country mystery shopping, focusing on how wineries can maximize sales from existing visitors in times of reduced traffic. By comparing current practices and trends with other regions facing similar challenges, we’ll highlight strategies to boost revenue and optimize visitor engagement both in and beyond the tasting room. Attendees will walk away with practical tools and actionable ideas to enhance their sales performance, ensuring they thrive even during slower periods by maximizing each visitor interaction.
3:30pm: Exhibitor Break
4pm: Closing Keynote: Modern Growth - Morgen McLaughlin, Willamette Valley Wines - Main Ballroom
Speaker Bios
CLICK HERE to see Speaker Bios
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2025 Winter Winemakers Dinner - Tuesday, January 14
On Tuesday evening of the Symposium, enjoy a perfectly paired dinner with wines from all seven THCW Board Members. Guests will be seated with an owner, winemaker or special representative from Hye Meadow Winery, Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery, Pedernales Cellars, Kerrville Hills Winery, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, Becker Vineyards and Ab Astris Winery.
Menu coming soon!
Tuesday, January 14
Horseshoe Bay Resort, location TBD
Check-in and Welcome Tastes at 6:30pm
Dinner at 7pm
Limited to 150 guests
Dress - Casual Elegant
- Individual ticket: $160/person includes dinner and wines
Do not drink and drive, designated drivers encouraged. Ride share services may be limited in Horseshoe Bay area, please plan accordingly.
No refunds after December 23.
Texas Hill Country Wine Scholarships & Industry Awards
As part of the Symposium, we have curated special presentations during the two lunch breaks. These will include the 2024 Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Awards and THCW Industry Awards.
The THCW Industry Awards will honor 3 industry members with the Tall Texan Lifetime Achievement Award, Gilstrap Innovator Award and Wine Industry Person of the Year Award. Recipients are nominated by THCW Members and selected by the THCW Board of Directors.
The Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship awards celebrate the achievements of Texas students pursuing fields related to the wine industry and THCW Industry Awards, honoring those who do so much for Texas wine. To date, we have awarded over $90K in scholarships, empowering the next generation of wine industry professionals across the state. Learn more about the THCW Scholarship Fund.
Symposium Event App
Download Conf.app and go to 2025 Hill Country Wine Symposium to get the Symposium agenda and more at your fingertips throughout the whole event.
Thank You 2025 Sponsors
2025 Exhibitors
- Allen Wine Group
- ATP Group
- Barrel Associates International
- Barrel Builders
- Berlin Packaging
- Bingham Family Vineyards
- Bouchard Cooperages
- Bracero Group
- Butterworth Inc
- C&C Sales & Marketing
- Cadus
- Capital Farm Credit
- Casa Cristal Nursery
- Comerica Bank
- Commerce 7
- Cork Supply
- Enartis USA
- Euro-Machines Inc
- G3 Enterprises
- Ganau
- Gore Cold Storage
- Gusmer Enterprises
- H&A Barrel Management
- Inland Desert Nursery
- JC Younger
- Johnson & Associates
- Knights Grapevine Nursery
- Lafitte Cork and Capsule
- Nadalie USA
- Novavine
- O-I Packaging
- Olavin
- OrderPort
- Portocork
- Premier Wine Compliance
- Producer Supply Co
- Santa Rosa Stainless Steel
- Saver Glass
- SensorInsight
- Scott Laboratories
- SensorInsight
- SENTIA
- Small Lot Bottles
- Tarpon Blue Insurance
- Texas Hill Country Corkers
- Texas Tech University
- The Vintners Vault
- TN Coopers
- Trysk Print Solutions
- Uncork Texas Wine
- University of North Texas
- Veritiv
- Western Weather Group
- WinStar Insurance Group
- WISE Academy
Need Lodging?
Enjoy a stay at Horseshoe Bay Resort - Texas’ premier AAA four-diamond lake and golf resort featuring 72 holes of award-winning Robert Trent Jones golf, full-service marina, spa, tennis and waterfront dining on the shores of Lake LBJ.
A group room rate has be set up for this event - use links below to book
Please note rates expire December 20, 2024. Book early to guarantee your discount.
Registration Details
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Early Bird Registration
Registration Launch - August 15
Member* $275
Non Member $375
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Symposium Registration
August 16 - November 30
Member* $325
Non-Member $425
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Symposium Late Registration
December 1 - January 15
Member* $375
Non-Member $475
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*Member Registration
THCW Members - Winery, Affiliate, Associate & Growers - receive a discounted registration rate. You will be sent a discount code, if you need assistance, email us info@texashillcountrywineries.org
Please use the ADD A NOTE TO YOUR ORDER box in the Cart to enter the business name for your registration and all other names for additional attendee registrations on the same order.
No refunds available after December 15, 2024.
MEDIA - contact us for media rate
Registration Includes
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2 days of educational sessions
(not including Winemaker Dinner)
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Lunch on
Tuesday & Wednesday
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11th Annual Symposium Welcome Reception
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Tradeshow
Please Note: Registration for the 2024 THCW Symposium does NOT include registration for the Winter Winemaker Dinner. This is a separate event and therefore tickets should be purchased separately above.
Event Staff
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Executive Director & Sponsorships
January WieseEvent Coordinator, Social Media
Reagan Ramsey -
Comms. Coordinator & Exhibitors
Kate LaFleur
Photographers
Karen & Bill Peary -
Symposium Committee Chairs
John Rivenburgh & Patrick ConnellySilent Auction Coordinator - TBA
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Wine Coordinator
Amie Nemec
On-site Staff - TBA