• 2026 Hill Country Wine Symposium
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2026 Hill Country Wine Symposium

This highly anticipated event spans two immersive days, offering an array of engaging seminars, enlightening lectures, and thought-provoking panel discussions. With over 20 sessions meticulously curated across three dedicated tracks—Vineyard, Winery, and Business, —the Symposium provides a comprehensive exploration of various aspects of the wine industry as we focus on the theme:

Texas Wine Rising: Innovation, Growth, and Excellence in the Hill Country

Join us January 12-14, 2026 at Horseshoe Bay Resort

$375.00
$375.00
2026 Hill Country Wine Symposium

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.

NEW in 2026:

After each session speakers, moderators and panelists will be ushered to the Travertine Ballroom for additional Q&A and networking following their session. This is a great opportunity to have some one-on-one time with the experts!

2026 Event Agenda

  • Monday

    January 12

    12pm: Exhibitor Setup

    3pm: Early bird check-in

    4pm-5:30pm: One Block Challenge - Phase 2 of the Sustainability in Texas Wine Project Workshop - Colleen Myles, Texas State University

    6pm: 12th Annual Symposium Welcome Reception - BYOW

  • Conf.app Symposium App

    The Symposium will be using the Conf.app platform again to help you navigate the event. 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.

    Symposium App

  • Tuesday

    January 13

    9am: Welcome

    9:30am: Opening Keynote Speaker

    10:30am: Exhibitor Break

    11am: 2 Breakout Sessions & 1 Tasting Session

    12pm: Lunch & Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Awards

    1:30pm: 3 Breakout Sessions

    2:30pm: Exhibitor Break

    3pm: 2 Breakout Sessions & 1 Tasting Session

    4pm: Partner Receptions

    6pm: Winemaker Dinner (separate ticket)

  • Wednesday

    January 14

    8am: Breakfast Tacos & Networking

    9am: 3 Breakout Sessions

    10am: Exhibitor Break

    10:30am: 2 Breakout Sessions & 1 Tasting Session

    11:30am: Lunch & Hill Country Wine Industry Awards

    1pm: 3 Breakout Sessions

    2pm: Exhibitor Break

    2:30pm: 2 Breakout Sessions & 1 Tasting Session

    3:45pm: Closing Panel

2026 Educational Sessions Agenda

Working Session Info

Below are the session and confirmed speaker outlines for 2026. Details will be dropped in the rows below once date/time is confirmed for each one with the official title and session description from the presenter(s).

  • Keynote - James Tidwell

  • Tasting 1 - Top Texas Award Winning Wines, Blind Tasting - Bryan Chagoly & Panel
  • Tasting 2 - Hill Country Wines - Mike Nelson & Panel
  • Tasting 3 - High Plains Wines - Brad Buckalew & Panel
  • Tasting 4 - Mourvedre

  • Closing Panel - Wine Down & Spill the Tea: Insider Talks & Trends - Shelly Wilfong, Jennifer Beckmann, Chris Brundrett, Roxanne Myers, John Rivenburgh, Katy Jane Seaton, Ron Yates

  • Business: Trends in the Industry - Chris Hillin, Derek Stutz, Philip Hawkins, Miguel Lecuona
  • Business: Texas Rising, Hospitality - Amber Saidler, Beth Valley, John Cedillo, Nichole Bendele
  • Business: Social & Economic Sustainability - Colleen Myles
  • Business: Wine Clubs - Valerie Elkins, Kristen Nelson, Gina Stone, Cathy Martell
  • Business: Business Operations Budget - Livia Schorlemer
  • Business: Marketing Machine - Chris Brundrett
  • Business: Marketing - TBA

  • Winery: Texas Rising, Sparkling - Barbara Lecuona, Elisa Jones
  • Winery: Closures - Blake DeBerry
  • Winery - Sustainability in the Winery - TBA
  • Winery: Inventory Management - Tate Gregory, David Newitt, Tyler Wolz, Chase Jones
  • Winery: Fermentation Management - Meredith Reed, Janet Miertschin, Remi Immler, Jackie van Sant Downes

  • Vineyard: Texas Rising, Grape Quality - Tate Gregory, Mike Nelson, Tyler Buddemeyer, John Rivenburgh
  • Vineyard: Hill Country Varieties - Kelsey Kramer, Bill Blackmon, Jackie Mancuso, Lydia Nida, Doug Lewis
  • Vineyard: Heat Resistance - Thomas Paveglio
  • Vineyard: Irrigation Project Update - Michael Cook
  • Vineyard: Case Study - Andy Timmons

Tuesday, January 13 Details

*NOTES: session times/dates may be adjusted pending speaker schedules, session descriptions coming soon

9am: Welcome - THCW Staff, Board & Presenting Sponsor

9:30am

  • Opening Keynote Speaker: James Tidwell, TexSom - Main Ballroom - Sponsored by Moss Adams

10:30am: Exhibitor Break

11am: Breakout Sessions:

  • Tasting: Top Awarded Texas Wines - Moderator: Bryan Chagoly, Sandy Road Vineyards/Top Texas Wines, Panel: TBA - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

  • Business: Trends in the Industry - Moderator: Chris Hillin - William Chris Wine Company, Panel: Philip Hawkins - Heath Family Brands, Derek Stutz - Carter Creek Winery, Miguel Lecuona - Siboney Cellars - Main Ballroom

  • Winery: Closures - Blake DeBerry, Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery- Limestone Ballroom

12pm:

  • Lunch sponsored by Berlin Packaging
  • Texas Hill Country Wine Industry Scholarship Awards

1:30pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Business: Texas Wine Rising, Hospitality - Moderator: Amber Saidler, Texas Wine Collective, Panel: Beth Valley - Texas Wine Collective, John Cedillo - Be Hospitable, Nichole Bendele - Becker Vineyards, Jesse Barter - Hill + Vine - Main Ballroom

  • Winery: Texas Wine Rising, Sparkling Wine - Moderator: Seth Urbanek, William Chris Wine Company, Panel: Elisa Jones - Elisa Christopher Wines, Barbara Lecuona - Siboney Cellars - Limestone Ballroom

  • Vineyard: Texas Wine Rising, Understanding Grape Quality - Moderator: Tate Gregory, William Chris Wine Company, Panel: John Rivenburgh - Kerrville Hills Winery, Mike Nelson - Ab Astris Winery, Tyler Buddemeyer - Texas Heritage Vineyard - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

2:30pm: Exhibitor Break

3pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Tasting: Mourvedre - Moderator TBA, Panel TBA - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

  • Business: Marketing, Jessica Dupuy - Texas Monthly/Journalist - Main Ballroom

  • Vineyard: Pros & Cons of Varieties in the Hill Country - Moderator: Kelsey Kramer, William Chris Wine Company, Panel: Bill Blackmon - Blackmon Wines, Jackie Mancuso - Atlas Vineyard Management, Lydia Nida - Pebble Rock Cellars, Doug Lewis - Lewis Wines - Limestone Ballroom

4pm: Partner Receptions

6pm: Winemaker Dinner (separate ticket)

Wednesday, January 15 Details

*NOTES: session times/dates may be adjusted pending speaker schedules, session descriptions coming soon

8am: Breakfast Tacos & Networking

9am: Breakout Sessions

  • Business: Wine Club - Moderator: Valerie Elkins - William Chris Wine Company, Panel: Kristen Nelson - Ab Astris Winery, Gina Ross - Calais Winery - Main Ballroom

  • Winery: Sustainability in the Winery, Presenter TBA - Limestone Ballroom

  • Vineyard: Heat Resistance - Thomas Paveglio, Eden Terraforming Technologies - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

10am: Exhibitor Break

10:30am: Breakout Sessions

  • Business: General Business Operations Budget for Wineries - Livia Schorlemer, Pedernales Cellars - Main Ballroom

  • Vineyard: Irrigation Project Update - Michael Cook, Texas A&M - Limestone Ballroom

  • Tasting: High Plains AVA Wines - Moderator: Brad Buckalew, Lost Draw Wines, Panel: TBA - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

11:30am:

  • Lunch
  • Hill Country Wine Industry Awards

1pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Business: Marketing Story - Chris Brundrett, William Chris Wine Company & Jessica Dupuy, Texas Monthly/Journalist - Main Ballroom

  • Winery: Fermentation Management - Moderator: Meredith Reed - Kerrville Hills Winery, Panel: Janet Miertschin - Portree Cellars. Jackie van Sant Downes - Driftwood Estate Winery, Remi Immler - The Burg Wine Company - Limestone Ballroom

  • Vineyard: Single Vineyard Case Study - Andy Timmons, Lost Draw Vineyard - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

2pm: Exhibitor Break

2:30pm: Breakout Sessions

  • Tasting: Hill Country AVA Wines - Moderator: Mike Nelson, Ab Astris Winery, Panel: TBA - The Tasting Room in Ballroom F

  • Business: Sustainability Social & Economic - Colleen Myles, Texas State University - Main Ballroom

  • Winery: Inventory Management - Moderator: Tate Gregory, William Chris Wine Company, Panel: Andrew Sides & Brad Buckalew - Lost Draw Wines and Tyler Wolz, David Newitt & Chase Jones - Slate Theory Winery - Limestone Ballroom

3:45pm: Closing Panel

  • Wine Down & Spill the Tea: Insider Talks & Trends
  • Moderator: Shelly Wilfong, This Is Texas Wine (recording session for podcast)
  • Panel: Jennifer Beckmann - Re-Rooted 210, Chris Brundrett - William Chris Wine Company, Roxanne Myers - Lost Oak Winery, John Rivenburgh - Kerrville Hills Winery, Katy Jane Seaton - Farmhouse Vineyards and Ron Yates - Spicewood Vineyards/Ron Yates Wines

Speaker Bios

CLICK HERE to see Speaker Bios

  • 2026 Winter Winemakers Dinner - Tuesday, January 13

    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 Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery, Elisa Christopher Wines, Pedernales Cellars, Ab Astris Winery, Becker Vineyards and Turtle Creek Vineyard/Slate Theory Winery.

    All proceeds benefit the Texas Hill Country Wine Scholarship Program.

    Menu coming soon!

    Tuesday, January 13

    Horseshoe Bay Resort, Yacht Club

    Check-in and Welcome Tastes at 6:30pm

    Dinner at 7pm

    Limited to 150 guests

    Dress - Casual Elegant

    • Individual ticket: $175/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.

Check it out Here

Thank You 2026 Sponsors

2026 Exhibitors

  • ATP Group
  • Berlin Packaging
  • BevZero
  • Bouchard Cooperages
  • Cadus-Ana
  • Capital Farm Credit
  • FOSS
  • Gussmer Enterprises
  • Inland Desert Nursery
  • Lafitte Cork & Capsule
  • Quality Stainless Tanks
  • Scott Laboratories
  • Trysk Print Services
  • Uncork Texas Wines
  • WineCub
  • WinStar Insurance Group
Sponsor & Exhibitor Registration

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, 2025. Book early to guarantee your discount.

Registration Details

  • Early Bird Registration

    Registration Launch - August 15

    Member* $275

    Non Member $375

  • Symposium Registration

    August 16 - November 30

    Member* $325

    Non-Member $425

  • Symposium Late Registration

    December 1 - January 14

    Member* $375

    Non-Member $475

  • *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, 2025

MEDIA - contact us for media rate

Registration Includes

  • 2 days of educational sessions

    (not including Winemaker Dinner)

  • Lunch on

    Tuesday & Wednesday

  • 12th Annual Symposium Welcome Reception

  • Tradeshow

Please Note: Registration for the 2025 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

  • Executive Director & Sponsorships
    January Wiese

    Event Coordinator, Social Media
    Reagan Ramsey

  • Comms. Coordinator & Exhibitors
    Kate LaFleur


    Photographer
    To be announced

  • Symposium Committee Chairs
    John Rivenburgh & Amber Saidler

    Wine Coordinator
    To be announced

  • On-site Staff

    To be announced