Welcome to Wine Institute California Wine Export Program

Export Conference 2026

Join the California Wines Export Program team to learn more about the global landscape of the wine business. From pertinent international policy issues to valuable global perspectives, don’t miss this opportunity to gain additional insight into how to grow your export business and build your brand globally.


Who should attend?
All are welcome—Export Program winery members and prospective members, seasoned export professionals and newcomers, small businesses and large wineries alike.


Why attend?
Enjoy a full day of presentations and breakout sessions, with a networking lunch and evening reception. Connect with winery peers and learn more about opportunities to expand your brand presence.

Register Now

✓ Walk-Ins Welcome

Overview Schedule

8:30am Check-in
9:00am Morning General Session
12:00pm Networking Lunch
1:00pm Breakouts
5:00pm Reception

Event Details

Program Includes: Full day of sessions, coffee, networking lunch, and garden reception.

Parking: On-site at CIA Copia.

Preferred Hotel: River Terrace Inn

Additional Hotel Options:
Andaz | Archer | Westin

Registration Fees

  1. Export Members: $50
  2. Non-Members: $100

Non-members are encouraged to contact Diane Berardi to join the Export Program and be eligible for the member rate.

Students and academic partners may attend at a discounted rate of $25.

Email Diane Berardi for more information ([email protected]).

Key Topics

  • International policy & trade updates
  • Market data & insights
  • Long-term strategy for CA Wines growth

Full Conference Agenda

8:30–9:00 AM  |  Check-In & Coffee — Atrium

9:00 AM–12:00 PM  |  General Session — Main Auditorium/Ecolab Theater

  • Opening Remarks
    Honore Comfort, Wine Institute, Vice President, International Marketing
    Steve Gross, Wine Institute, President & CEO
  • Setting the Stage: Insights Driving Global Opportunity
    Honore Comfort
  • Panel Discussion: The State of Global Trade & Q&A
    Honore Comfort
    Charles Jefferson, Wine Institute, Vice President, Federal & International Policy
    Jamie Ferman, Wine Institute, Senior Director, International Public Policy
  • Wine Institute: The Team Behind the Scene
    Julie Berge, Wine Institute, Vice President, Communications & Member Relations
  • The Rep Rap: Kickstarter Goes Global
    Justine McGovern, California Wines, Trade Director, UK, Ireland, India & UAE
    Damien Jackman, California Wines, Trade Director, UK, Ireland, India & UAE
    Paul Molleman, California Wines, Trade Director, Europe & Africa
  • On the Global Stage: International Trade Exhibitions
    Honore Comfort
  • BREAK
  • Looking Ahead: Five-Year Strategic Plan
    Honore Comfort
    Martec Team
  • Expanding Our Reach: Introducing Juan Botero
    Honore Comfort
    Juan Botero, California Wines, Trade Director, Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Here & Now: Tools You Can Use Today
    Kate Venugopal, Wine Institute, Director, International Marketing

12:00–1:00 PM  |  Lunch — Restaurant & Atrium

1:15–4:55 PM  |  Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Attend six 30-minute breakout sessions to gain insights to grow your brand. Plan your own breakout schedule — no pre-registration required.

30-min sessions
(5-min transition)		 Main Theater/Ecolab
THE AMERICAS		 NVV Tasting Theater
ASIA		 Upstairs Museum
EUROPE, AFRICA, UK,
INDIA, MIDDLE EAST		 First Floor Dining Room
EXPORT 101
1:15–1:45 PM Latin America & the Caribbean North Asia & Australasia Europe & Africa Are You Export Ready?
1:50–2:20 PM Mexico Greater China & Southeast Asia UK, Ireland, India & UAE Building an Export Strategy
2:25–2:55 PM Canada North Asia & Australasia Europe & Africa
2:55–3:15 PM ☕ COFFEE BREAK
3:15–3:45 PM Latin America & the Caribbean Greater China & Southeast Asia UK, Ireland, India & UAE Are You Export Ready?
3:50–4:20 PM Mexico North Asia & Australasia Europe & Africa Building an Export Strategy
4:25–4:55 PM Canada Greater China & Southeast Asia UK, Ireland, India & UAE

All Afternoon  |  Ask the Expert — Atrium

Connect with experts across a range of areas that help amplify and accelerate your brand in global markets. Available throughout the afternoon — contact these subject matter specialists in advance to schedule a meeting on a specific issue or just swing by the “Ask the Expert” area to have your questions answered.

  • International Trade Policy Issues
    — Charles Jefferson, Wine Institute, VP, Federal & International Public Policy
    — Jamie Ferman, Wine Institute, Senior Director, International Public Policy
  • Make the Most of Your Export Program Membership
    — Diane Berardi, Wine Institute, International Marketing, Operations & Member Relations Manager
  • Exporting 101 — Ask the Export Advisors
  • Capstone: Make It Work for You
    — Celeste Finn, California Wines, Capstone Specialist
  • How a Green Medal Can Propel Your Brand
    — Allison Jordan, Wine Institute, VP, Environmental Affairs
  • Helping You Navigate What’s Next: The Value of Wine Institute Membership
    — Julie Berge, Wine Institute, VP, Communications & Member Relations
    — Allison Moore, Wine Institute, Director, Member Relations
  • Cost Share Opportunities for International Promotion of Your Brand
    — Sponsor: Hayden Romig, Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA)
  • The Lab Analyses You Need for Export
    — Sponsor: Gordon Burns, ETS Labs

4:55 PM  |  Toast — Atrium

5:00–6:30 PM  |  Reception — Garden

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite your company to sponsor the California Wine Annual Export Conference & Member Meeting—an event bringing together more than 100 California wineries to explore the global landscape of wine business.

This is a premier opportunity for California wineries to deepen their export insight and build their brand worldwide.

Attendees include Export Program members & prospective members, seasoned export sales pros & new-to-export, small businesses & large wineries alike.

100+

Winery Attendees

125+

Newsletter Reach

1:1

Direct Networking

Sponsor Investment

$1,500
Benefits Include:
  • Attendance: Comp for 1 (no table)
  • Signage: Logo on all event signage
  • Digital: Logo with hyperlink on conference website
  • Exposure: Verbal intro during General Session
  • Visibility: Featured appreciation on Program homepage
  • Newsletter: 100-word promotional blurb to 125+ wineries

Interested in additional sponsorship options? (Lunch sponsor, targeted workshops, or one-on-one meetings)

Contact Diane Berardi

Event Organizer

In Partnership With

“You can’t be a world class wine if your wines aren’t out in the world.”

— Ted Lemon, Littorai

California Wine Export Program

The Wine Institute’s California Wine Export Program cultivates global sales across 40+ countries through dynamic marketing and strategic sales promotions. We target international trade, media, and consumers to ensure the Golden State remains the leading voice in the global marketplace.

We provide wineries with exclusive market research, a comprehensive importer database, and a robust 12-month program calendar. Whether entering a new market or scaling existing exports, our San Francisco-based team provides the expert analysis and connections needed for long-term profitability.