Global Wine Industry leaders to gather at WineFuture-Rioja'09

June 20, 2009

Mel Dick, Dan Jago, Troy Christenssen, Robert M. Parker, Jr., Jancis Robinson, Oz Clarke, Miguel Torres, Don St. Pierre and Gary Vaynerchuk to Lead Group of 35 Speakers in Rioja, Spain

Madrid, SPAIN, 16-June, 2009 – Created by the Wine Academy of Spain, WineFuture-Rioja 09 will assemble influential wine industry personalities at Riojaforum in Logrono, Spain on November 12 and 13. Experts from around the globe will address topics including the economic crisis; trends in consumption and sales; as well as climate change, packaging, branding, and more. The objective of WineFuture-Rioja ´09 is to create a fórum to assess current and future challenges and opportunities. www.winefuture.es

“We are very pleased with the quality of speakers who have agreed to share their expertise,” said Pancho Campo MW, founder of Winefuture 2009. “We intend for Winefuture-Rioja 09 to be a source of serious analysis of the current marketplace as well as a source of inspiration and leadership for the future,” he added.

“To our knowledge it is the first time these leaders have all met at once,” said Campo. Speakers include Mel Dick, President of Wines for Southern Wines & Spirits; Dan Jago, Director of Wines for Tesco; Robert Parker, Jr. from The Wine Advocate; Jancis Robinson; Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine Library TV, and Don. St. Pierre, CEO for ASC Fine Wines in China, among many others.

The Wine Academy of Spain reports that they have received 267 registrations from nearly 38 countries as of early June, and anticípate a total audience of 500 guests, speakers and journalists. Online registration is available at www.winefuture.es. Some conference sessions will be broadcast via Internet.

The conference will include panel sessions, a grand tasting conducted by Mr. Parker, and a wine showcase. “Wineries from the most important wine regions are showing tremendous interest in presenting their wines at the Exhibitor´s Area,” commented Rony Bacque, International Sales Manager for the Wine Academy of Spain.

Session topics will address:
• The global economic crisis
• How to improve consumption
• How to improve sales in the on-trade and off-trade
• Emerging and interesting markets: Asia, Russia and Scandanavia
• The environment and its business opportunities
• Wine education for increasing sales and consumption
• The role of wine writers and critics in the future of the industry
• The role of wine fairs and competitions as marketing and sales strategies
• The importance of Internet for promoting sales and consumption
• The importance of brands in the future of the industry

Winefuture 2009 is organized by the Wine Academy of Spain with the generous support sponsors including Rioja, Avis, Constellation Brands Europe, Araex, Marqués de Riscal, and Dinastía Vivanco. For further information and to register visit www.winefuture.es

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Maria Jose Martin
Media Coordinator, The Wine Academy of Spain
Tel. +34 699 589 060
Email: media@thewineacademy.es