This year’s WineVit® Convention and Trade Show presented by the Washington Winegrowers Association was a celebration of the Washington wine industry and its enduring commitment to perpetual improvement. Over a dozen educational sessions highlighted speakers from across the country presenting on market trends, cutting-edge research, tools and technologies for vineyards and wineries, and much more.
Over 130 exhibitors from around the world and industry provided invaluable glimpses into their products and services. With so many different aspects of viticulture, enology, agriculture, and business represented on the trade show floor, there was no shortage of educational and entertaining opportunities to learn more and connect with the wine industry.
Monday afternoon highlighted the next generation of Washington wine with the Industry Research Snapshot, sponsored by the Washington State Wine Commission, and Industry Networking Experience, sponsored by Columbia Label, where graduate and professional researchers presented their most recent findings through posters and oral presentations, then mingled with college students and industry professionals over glasses of donated Washington wine.
Industry Research Snapshot poster authors and oral presenters were judged and received awards in recognition of their hard work and crucial research. Bernadette Gagnier, Stephen Onayemi, and Megan Meharg received first, second, and third place in the graduate student category. Natalia Shcherbatyuk, Poonam Chaudhary, and Chandra Sekhar Thammina received first, second, and third place in the professional researcher category. Graduate student Pierre Davadant was recognized for his oral presentation, and Bernadette Gagnier received the People’s Choice award for her research poster.
Bernadette Gagnier
Megan Meharg
Natalia Shcherbatyuk
Pierre Davadant
Poonam Chaudhary
Sridhar Jarugula, co-author of Chandra Thammina
Stephen Onayemi
Tuesday and Wednesday were full of educational sessions and receptions, including the State of the Industry session and Washington Wine Industry Foundation’s Party + Auction dinner and fundraiser, where the community gathered to connect and support the Washington wine industry. The full slate of educational sessions, presenters’ slideshows, and poster PDFs are available on the WineVit® 2024 website at WineVit.org.
The dates for the next three years of the annual WineVit® Convention and Trade Show are already set, so mark your calendars today!
- February 10-12, 2025
- February 9-11, 2026
- February 8-10, 2027
WineVit® 2024 Convention & Trade Show was a testimony to the strength and depth of the Washington wine community and its dedication to adapting and advancing in an ever-changing environment.
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About Washington Winegrowers Association:
Founded in 1983, the Washington Winegrowers Association supports members by addressing industry needs through collaboration and partnerships to enhance the Washington wine industry.
Media contact:
Colleen Frei
509.293.9255