| Wednesday, March 12, 2026 | |
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| 8:00 am | REGISTRATION |
| Registration for Central Coast Insights 2026 | |
| 8:30 am - 8:45 am | WELCOME | Eric Jorgensen, President - WineBusiness Monthly |
| Opening remarks to preview the day and provide timely updates. |
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| 8:45 am - 9:30 am | The Central Coast Economic Outlook |
| The structural shift underway for the wine industry has many evaluating this new era. The struggle between current economic and cultural forces brings the industry to a crossroads. High interest rates, geopolitical risk and tariffs are just part of the equation. Factoring in shifting generational preferences and sustained spending on premium products the industry is looking at how these market dynamics align with new business strategies for success in 2026 and beyond. Senior Economics Writer for The Economist, Callum Williams, draws upon his past analyses of economic uncertainty and consumer behavior to help the industry chart a new course. Through his unique economic lens, Williams will provide actionable insights for wineries and industry professionals seeking to adapt and thrive in an evolving global market. Keynote Speaker: Callum Williams, Senior Economics Writer, The Economist |
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| 9:30 am - 10:15 am | Reading the Market: Wine's Position in the Beverage Alcohol Landscape |
| Where does wine stand in the battle for beverage alcohol share? NIQ will break down the latest data revealing how wine performed during the critical October-November-December period and discuss what 2026 holds. Will it be more of the same or will the industry find key breakthroughs? This session examines the hard questions: Which wines are moving off shelves and which opportunities remain untapped? Is premiumization at risk as price sensitivity intensifies? How are distribution shifts reshaping depletions and overall sales? Dive deep into NIQ data and market intelligence to understand what's driving change across beverage alcohol. Walk away with actionable strategies for pricing, positioning, and portfolio planning that reflect today's reality—plus insights on how Central Coast wineries can stay agile, competitive, and connected to evolving consumer preferences in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Speaker: Kaleigh Theriault, Director of Thought Leadership, NIQ Beverage Alcohol Vertical |
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| 10:15 am - 10:30 am | Morning Break |
| 10:30 am - 11:45 am | Navigating Distribution Disruption: Strategic Decisions for Winery Owners |
| The three-tier distribution system is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. Distributor consolidation, market exits, and shifting consumer behaviors are forcing wineries to fundamentally rethink how they reach customers. For winery owners, this disruption isn't just a challenge—it's an opportunity to reimagine the path to market. This session takes a hard look at how Central Coast wineries are responding to today's distribution reality. Hear from producers who are breaking from convention: evaluating new partnerships with fresh criteria, experimenting with hybrid models that blend traditional and direct-to-consumer strategies, and taking back control of their distribution destiny. Learn practical frameworks for assessing distribution partners, understanding when to pivot, and building resilient go-to-market strategies. Whether you're navigating a distributor transition or proactively planning for change, discover what it takes to stay profitable, visible, and competitive in a system being rewritten in real time. Moderator: Maeve Pesquera, Chief Marketing Officer | Executive Vice President, Luxury, O'Neil Vintners & Distillers Panelists: |
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| 11:45 am - 1:00 pm | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Central Coast Grape and Bulk Wine Supply: Strategies for a Shifting Market |
| The bulk wine market is evolving rapidly, and Central Coast wineries face critical decisions: should they participate, and if so, how? With the industry navigating historic oversupply and declining consumption, understanding bulk market dynamics is essential. This session provides a comprehensive update on supply and demand trends specific to the Central Coast. Explore how vintage variability, vineyard availability, and shifting regional production create both opportunities and risks. We'll examine real market data, pricing trends, and strategic considerations. Whether sourcing bulk wine to manage costs, selling excess production to optimize cash flow, or exploring strategic blending, gain actionable insights for informed decision-making. Learn how savvy producers use the bulk market as a strategic tool to stay competitive and financially resilient. Speaker: Anthony Bozzano, Principal, Bozzano & Co |
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| 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm | The New Valuation Reality: M&A and Asset Sales in a Restructuring Wine Industry |
| The wine industry is undergoing structural transformation with a stark imbalance: too many sellers, too few buyers. Large players are pursuing only strategic acquisitions that fill specific portfolio gaps or involve exceptional brands, while tighter financing conditions push more wineries toward divestiture. This panel explores how these dynamics impact valuations, succession planning, and deal structuring. With grape prices plummeting and unsold fruit left on vines, traditional valuation methods no longer reflect market reality. Crush reports don't account for unpicked grapes, yet still influence land values. Brand value depends on actual sales, not inventory volume. Financial institutions increasingly influence business decisions, making wine-specific knowledge critical for all stakeholders. Learn what today's buyers actually value, creative deal structures emerging in this market, and strategies for preparing your business—whether pursuing acquisition, planning succession, or protecting your balance sheet through industry consolidation. Moderator: Tony Correia, Owner, The Correia Company Panelists: Mario Zepponi, Managing Director, Beverage Alcohol Team, BMO Capital Markets |
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| 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm | Afternoon Break |
| 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Inside the Wine Aisle: What Retailers See That Wineries Need to Know |
| Leading wine retailers take the stage to reveal what's actually moving off shelves—and what's not. This candid discussion explores shifting consumer preferences, the tension between premiumization and value-seeking, and how e-commerce is reshaping the traditional retail relationship. Panelists will address the realities retailers face daily: pricing pressures, inventory decisions in an oversupplied market, and the impact of emerging formats like canned and low-alcohol wines. Through data-driven insights and real-world examples, learn how successful merchants are connecting with modern buyers, curating assortments that drive growth, and adapting their strategies. Gain the retailer's view on what wineries should be doing differently to earn shelf space and consumer attention. Panelists: Phil Markert, Director of Liquor, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions at Albertsons Companies Phillip Dunn, Director of Spirits Sales & Purchasing, Wine Buyer Burgundy, Champagne, North America, Wally's Fine Wine, Spirits & Gourmet Market Melanie Mann, Principal Category Merchant for Imported and Domestic Wines, Whole Foods |
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| 3:30 pm | CLOSING REMARKS | Eric Jorgensen, President - WineBusiness Monthly |
| Thank you for Attending! | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Bottle Bash Central Coast |
| Join WineBusiness Monthly for the Central Coast edition of Bottle Bash—a night of networking, collaboration and celebration. WineBusiness Monthly is bringing Bottle Bash, the party that kicks off each year’s Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, to Paso Robles as part of the Central Coast Insights and WiVi Central Coast events. Hundreds of local winemakers, growers, speakers and sponsors will gather following the Central Coast Insights conference. | |