The two biggest trends in wine today: A wave of mergers and acquisitions and wineries diversifying their portfolios into craft beer and spirits.

Keynote speaker

Bo Barrett, CEO, Chateau Montelena. Title: “The 40th Anniversary of the Paris Tasting: A Catalytic Event in the Continuing Wine Quality and Marketing (R)evolution in America”

Panel 1: What’s driving mergers and acquisitions?

• Pat Roney, president and CEO, Vintage Wine Estates, Santa Rosa
• Robert Nicholson, principal, International Wine Associates, Healdsburg
• Carol Collison, partner, Global Wine Partners
• Timothy Wallace, consultant; executive-in-residence, Wine Business Institute; former co-owner and president, Benziger Family Winery
• Roy Cecchetti, president of national brands, O'Neill Vintners & Distillers

Panel 2: The move to diversify

• Derek Benham, Owner & CEO, Purple Wine + Spirits, Graton
• Oren Lewin, senior vice president for marketing and strategy, WX, Novato
• Amelia Ceja, president, Ceja Vineyards, Napa Carneros

Preregistration closes April 25.

Presenter: North Bay Business Journal. Underwriters: Farella Braun + Martel, Moss Adams and Wells Fargo. Major sponsors: American AgCredit, Anderson Ziegler, Bank of Marin, Burr Pilger Mayer, Carle Mackie Power & Ross, Comcast Business, Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty, Exchange Bank, Jim Murphy & Assoc., The Personnel Perspective, Rabobank, Sonoma State University,TricorBraun Winepak, Western Health Advantage, Wine Industry Network and Wright Contracting. Corporate sponsors: Gaw Van Male, Nordby Construction, Prudential Agricultural Investments, Purple Wine + Spirits, Sonoma County Airport and Yakayo Wine Company.

For sponsorship information and to advertise in the April 18 special edition of Wine Industry Business Journal, contact an account representative at 707-521-5270.