VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

Doug Caskey ● Executive Director ● CWIDB ~CWIDB Update Doug Caskey has served in his role with the CWIDB since 2000. He oversees statewide efforts to promote Colorado wine. Caskey is a 30-year wine industry veteran, with experience in the restaurant and retail wine industries. Previous to the CWIDB, he managed the wine department at Boulder Liquor Mart, one of Colorado’s largest retail liquor stores in Boulder.

Horst Caspari PhD. ● Professor and State Viticulturist ● Colorado State University ~ Trellis /Training Systems and Canopy Management ~Cabernet Franc Tasting ~Viticulture Research Update ~Understanding Site Specific Temperature Inversions and Management Options ~ Viticulture Practices 101: A Brief Look into the Basics: Maintaining a Vineyard Horst Caspari is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University, and Colorado’s State Viticulturist. He holds the equivalent of a MSc and PhD in Agricultural Science from the University of Bonn, Germany. From 1990-1993, he was a visiting scientist at the Horticultural Science Department at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. He worked as Post-Doc (1994) and Research Scientist (1995-2000) for the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand at the Marlborough Research Center in Blenheim, New Zealand before joining Colorado State University in July 2000.

Richard DeScenzo PhD. ● Microbiology Group Leader ● ETS ~Evaluation of Selected Barrel Sanitation Methods to Reduce Brettanomyces ~Everything You Wanted to Know About Brettanomyces: But Were Afraid to Ask Dr. Richard DeScenzo is the Microbiology Group Leader for ETS Laboratories. ETS provides microbiological analysis for problematic fermentations using a combination of classical microbiology methods and molecular biology techniques. Dr. DeScenzo received his Masters and Ph. D. in Plant Pathology and Molecular Biology at the University of New Hampshire, and conducted his postdoctoral studies on disease resistance genes in barley with the USDA/ARS at Iowa State University. He spent 10 years conducting research on grape genomics, development of molecular diagnostics, and fermentation monitoring in the wine industry. Dr. DeScenzo joined ETS in January 2006, leading the Microbiology Group and guiding the development of the Scorpion Wine Spoilage Detection Kit. Most recently, Richard has focused on transitioning the Scorpions technology for use in the fuel ethanol market. In addition to developing improved diagnostics for the fermentation industry, Richard works with clients to help them understand their microbial fermentation problems, and develop monitoring programs to prevent future problems.

Tim Donahue ● Enology Instructor Walla Walla Community College ● Winemaker, College Cellars ~A Vertical Tasting of Walla Walla Cabernet Franc Tim Donahue holds a master’s in enology from the University of Adelaide and served as head winemaker for the award-winning Creekside Cellars in Evergreen, Colorado, before heading to Walla Walla. He serves as enology instructor at Walla Walla Community College and runs College Cellars, a research driven winery. Donahue served as the winemaker, with his father Bill, for Creekside Cellars in Evergreen, Colorado, and received a masters in Oenology from the University of Adelaide.

Rich J. Englehart ● Commercial Risk Partner ● Home Loan Insurance ~Cyber Risk and Insuring Wineries and Vineyards Rich provides commercial risk consulting and brokerage services for clients in Colorado and throughout the nation for clients with multiple locations. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help plan

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

and manage your company’s risk management. Rich’s goal is to help you identify risk, develop a transfer strategy, implement a program and monitor the results. Rich has been a Commercial Risk Partner for Home Loan Insurance since 2007. He also has an AAI Designation as well as a CLCS Designation. Rich is the Vice-President of the Maverick Club, a non-profit board that focuses on fundraising for the student-athletes at Colorado Mesa University.

Esmaeil Fallahi PhD. ● Parma Research and Extension Center ● University of Idaho ~Peach Variety Trials in Idaho ~Table Grapes Dr. Fallahi received his PhD, from Oregon State University, M.S., from Washington State University and B.S., from Jundishapour Ahvas, Iran. Dr. Fallahi has published a significant number of papers relating to the fruit industry. This includes a paper written in 2012 about influence of root stocks and irrigation methods on water use, mineral nutrition, growth, fruit yield and quality in Gala apples.

Stephanie Fransen ● Government Relations Specialist ● CAVE Lobbyist ~Lobbying Update Stephanie is one of the rare Colorado natives. She grew up in Littleton and graduated from Regis University in Denver with a degree in Politics. She has been working in the Colorado State Capitol for nine years; first as the Legislative Aide to two House Representatives from Colorado Springs then as the Government Affairs Coordinator for the Colorado Association of REALTORS (CAR). After leaving CAR, she became a contract lobbyist representing the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association (CLBA). Stephanie now represents the Colorado Association of Viticulture and Enology, the Tavern League of Colorado and Air Methods Corporation.

David Granatstein ● Sustainable Agriculture Specialist ● Washington State University ~ Fire Blight Management in Organic Orchards ~Beneath the Canopy: Soil Health and Orchard Floor Management David Granatstein is with Washington State University (WSU) Extension based in Wenatchee, Washington. He has worked on sustainable agriculture and organic farming for over 35 years with different crops and in several states and countries. He currently focuses on tree fruit production, organic systems, and soil quality.

James D Hamilton ● CEO & Chairman ● Home Loan Insurance ~Cyber Risk and Insuring Wineries and Vineyards Jamie is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Home Loan & Investment Company. He has been in the insurance industry since 1982, earning designations of AAI, ARM and CPCU. He’s served as President of the Independent Agents of Western Colorado, on the Board of Directors of the Independent Agents of Colorado and received their Young Agent of the Year award in 1988. Jamie is the primary agent of record for our organization and is licensed in over 35 states. Jamie is active in many community ventures. Mr. Hamilton currently serves as the Junior College World Series Chairman, as well as sits on the Board of Directors for several Non-Profit Organizations throughout the Western Slope.

Steve Hammersmith ● SHuR FARMS ~Cold Air Accumulation and the Growers Guide to Frost Protection ~ Fire and Wind for Freeze Protection Steve Hammersmith combines 20 years of battling severe frost on his family’s farm and his research on frost and cold air accumulation. Hammersmith’s experience includes studying and apprenticing under Dr. Rafael Guarga, president of the University of Uruguay. The two collaborated on a new frost protection method of controlling cold air flows and draining cold air masses. He is currently president

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

and CEO of Shur Farms Frost Protection, a company specializing in managing cold air flows in vineyards and orchards worldwide. His new book, “Cold Air Accumulation and the Grower's Guide to Frost Protection” (published by WestBow Press), discusses the causes of frost and methods growers can use to protect their yield.

Bob Hammon ● Extension Agent ● Colorado State University ~Grape Phylloxera in Colorado? ~Old and New Vineyard Pests Bob is Area Extension Agent (Entomology/Agronomy) with CSU Tri River Area Extension. He has been with the CSU Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension for almost 29 years, working on pest management issues in a diversity of crops and farming systems.

Becca Jablonski ● Assistant Professor, Food Systems Extension Economist ● Colorado State University ~Winery and Vineyard Financing Dr. Jablonski is in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at CSU. As part of her position, she facilitates the Colorado Governor’s Food Systems Advisory Council and is a co-leader of Colorado State University’s Food Systems Extension Team. She has 15 years of experience working across many aspects of the food system, most recently serving as a Doctoral Fellow with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a Visiting Scholar with the USDA's Economic Research Service, and an Agricultural Economic Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County. Her research and extension efforts focus on understanding processes of rural and regional development, with an emphasis on identifying strategies to support entrepreneurship, improve agribusiness performance and enhance regional food systems. Dr. Jablonski holds a PhD from Cornell University.

Michael Jones ● Scott Lab ~Finishing the Wine Working in wineries since 1971, Michael made his first wine in the family cellar in 1974. He has made wine every year since, including two vintages in Burgundy and one in the Hunter Valley, Australia. Suffering from a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, he found solace amongst the vines of NovaVine Nursery and the barrels of Hanzell in Sonoma. Previously, he had been 19 years at Domaine Chandon. Currently, he is fermentation specialist for Scott Laboratories.

Shaina Knight ● Business Development Specialist ● Colorado Department of Agriculture ~Winery and Vineyard Financing Shaina Knight has worked for the Colorado Department of Agriculture for nearly four years as a Business Development Specialist. She works with a wide array of businesses from farmers to food manufacturing companies, offering support with individualized business consultations. Shaina started her career as a manufacturers representative (food broker) for a handful of companies. She worked closely with chefs and institutional buyers within the food service industry for six years, prior to joining CDA. You can find Shaina working on implementing multiple business workshops a year in addition to working with the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Colorado Farm to School Task Force, and managing a number of grants.

Gregory Lang, PhD. ● Professor of Tree Fruit Physiology ● Michigan State University ~ Fruit Production Under Protective Covers: Creating Your Own Climate Change Is Not Just for Cherries Anymore ~State-of-the-Art Cherry Training Systems: Optimizing Fruit Quality, Yields, and Labor Efficiencies Dr. Lang has conducted research in tree fruit production and environmental stress physiology, variety

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

and rootstock evaluation, and innovative fruit production systems, with emphasis on sweet cherries. His lab teams have been instrumental in advancing and adopting dwarfing precocious rootstocks and protective orchard covering technologies, and developing new cherry varieties and high-efficiency canopy training systems. Recipient of the International Fruit Tree Association’s 2001 Distinguished Research Award, Dr. Lang travels extensively to speak on cherry production practices, exchanging ideas and experiences with growers and scientists worldwide.

Rob Maruyama ● Quality Procurement Specialist ● Molson Coors ~ Why Quality Matters At Every Step from Your Grapes to the Bottle and Beyond Rob joined the brewing industry and Coors Brewing Company in 1980. During his tenure at MillerCoors, Rob has held numerous technical and leadership positions. Rob is currently the Sr. Manager: Audit and Technical Compliance. His team has oversight for Supplier/Process/Packaging/Dispense/Trade/Craft Quality for MillerCoors. Rob graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a B.A. in Molecular, Cellular Developmental Biology and received a M.S. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Rob has certifications in Safe Quality Foods and HAACP Management; Member and President/Past President of the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC), Co-Chair of the 2004 World Brewing Congress; Member of ASQ and Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD Diploma Brewer).

Jeff McCord PhD.● Vice President of Research and Technical Sales ● Stavin ~Oak and Barrel Alternatives: Art and Science ~Use of Micro-Oxygenation as a Tool in Wine Maturation Dr. McCord grew up on a fruit farm on the southern shore of Lake Erie. His father and two other grape farmers started Pennsylvania’s 2nd but largest winery, Penn Shore Vineyards. He learned to disgorge champagne at age 14. His Grandfather was a mechanical engineer who designed grape crush and process systems for Taylor Wines, Seneca Foods and Welch’s. This experience has given him a unique ability to interact wine winemakers and wine process personnel and communicate effectively problems and potential solutions.

Steve Menke PhD. ● Assoc. Professor of Enology and State Enologist ● Colorado State University ~ Cabernet Franc Tasting ~ Demonstration of Blending Techniques for Wines from New and Old Cultivars ~ Why Quality Matters At Every Step from Your Grapes to The Bottle and Beyond Dr. Stephen Menke earned a B.S. Ag. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1980, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry/molecular biology from the University of Wyoming in 1992. He did postdoctoral work on Pierce’s disease in grapes at the University of Arizona, and subsequently left academia to be manager/assistant winemaker for several years at Sonoita Vineyards in Elgin, AZ. Since then he has served as State Enologist and university educator in IL, PA, and currently CO, where he also serves as proprietor of the CSU educational winery, Ram’s Point Winery. His areas of expertise include grape and wine aroma sensory analysis, small winery startup planning, winemaking forensics, and blending of wines from various cultivars of V. viniferous and of interspecies crosses. Ioannis Minas PhD.● Colorado State University ~ CSU Pomology Research Program Update Dr. Minas received his PhD in Pomology and Postharvest Physiology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. During his PhD studies was appointed as a Junior Specialist at the Dept. Plant Sciences at University of California Davis, CA. Since October 2015, he coordinates the CSU Pomology

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

research program at WCRC-OM with interest on Cytospora canker management and on tree fruit physiology.

Anne Misak ● ~Winery and Vineyard Financing Anne Misak is the Healthy Food Program Manager and a Loan Officer for Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF). She develops, manages, and promotes CEF’s healthy food financing program for small businesses in Colorado’s food system, especially in low-income communities lacking convenient access to healthy, fresh food. Anne is on the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council and is a former board member of Nourish Market, a start-up food co-op in Northeast Denver/Northwest Aurora. She is also involved with the Community Wealth Building Network of Metro Denver, a start-up organization with the goal of changing Denver’s economic development models to better support low-income communities. Prior to moving to Colorado, Anne worked as a community organizer and environmental policy advocate, a consultant on food access, a consultant in the non-profit finance industry, and has experience developing cross-sector and food cooperatives. Anne earned a Master of City Planning degree in community and economic development from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a B.A. from Oberlin College in Ohio.

Kay Rentzel ● Managing Director ● National Peach Council ~Peach Council Update Kay Rentzel oversees the operations of the National Peach Council which was formed more than 65 years ago and now provides the domestic peach industry with a more consistent, meaningful and strong voice in Washington.

Robert Sakata ● President, Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association ~A Dirt Farmer’s View of the World Robert has been in farming since 1989. In 1991 he was appointed to the Agriculture Groundwater Advisory Board and served in that capacity for 21 years. During that time in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Health the Colorado Department of Agriculture administered the program that monitored groundwater for pesticides and nitrates as well as develop a program to proactively protect that resource around the state. In 1997 he was first appointed to the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission by Governor Roy Romer and had the opportunity to serve the state in that capacity under 4 different administrations for 15 years. During his time on the Commission he faced a wide variety of issues based on the protection of the uses of surface water around the state. Currently he is President of the newly formed Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and President of the Colorado Onion Growers Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Fulton Irrigation and Ditch Company, and on the New Brantner Ditch Company. From the inception of the Metro Roundtable he has been a member and as a result of that experienced worked with the Colorado Agriculture Council to form the Colorado Ag Water Alliance in 2006. In 2013 he was elected to serve on the Colorado Water Congress Board of Directors as one of its two designated agricultural representatives. Robert received the American Vegetable Grower’s 2014 Grower Achievement Award to recognize his efforts to help the industry not only locally but across the United States and In October of 2016 Robert was recognized in The Packer 25 for 2016 at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit.

Kaibab Sauvage ● Commercial Wine Grape Grower ● Colorado Vineyard Specialists LLC ~ Viticulture Practices 101: A Brief Look into the Basics: Maintaining a Vineyard Kaibab Sauvage has been growing wine grapes in Palisade since 2000; he is dedicated to producing high quality grapes for use in Premium Colorado Wines. Numerous award winning Colorado Wines have

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

their origins in his vineyards. Kaibab received his B.S. in Biology-Chemistry Minor, graduating cum laude from Colorado Mesa University. After which he began his grape growing career, a self-described research grower who has been passionately seeking the best cultivars and locations for Colorado’s unique climate. Kaibab is the Owner of Colorado Vineyard Specialists LLC (CVS). In addition to growing exceptional grapes, CVS provides vineyard consulting, installation and vineyard management services.

Mike Schultz ● ~Winery and Vineyard Financing

Stan Stephens ● Owner ● Long Point Digital ~Finding Revenue in Social Media Stan Stephens is the Owner and Director of Long Point Digital, a marketing agency located in Palisade, CO. Before starting his own agency, he was Director of Digital Marketing at Interactivity Digital in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Jane Stewart PhD.● ~Cytospora Research Update Jane E. Stewart is an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology in the Department of Agricultural Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Oregon, her Master’s Degree in forestry from the University of Vermont and her PhD in plant pathology from Washington State University. She has also held postdoctoral positions at the USDA ARS Horticultural Research Lab in Corvallis, OR, and the Dept. of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia. Jane has extensive experience in fungal biology, molecular diagnostics, and management of plant pathogens. She also currently teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in forest and tree health and management that focused on a broad array of diseases and their management.

Jeff Tranel ●Colorado State University ~Legacy Planning Jeff received his Masters of Science (agricultural economics) from the University of Wyoming and has been a staff member of CSU since 1987. Jeff’s primary interests are in financial management, legacy/cessation/estate planning, risk management, business structures, tax management, and record-keeping and human resource management.

Keith Villa ● Head Brewmaster and Founder● Blue Moon Brewing Company ~ Why Quality Matters At Every Step from Your Grapes to The Bottle and Beyond After earning his Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels in Belgium, an honor only a handful of brewers have achieved, Keith came back Stateside with the idea of crafting beers inspired by Belgian styles, but with a twist. His first interpretation turned out to be our most popular beer, Blue Moon® Belgian White* and the start of the Blue Moon Brewing Company. Since then Keith has gone on to brew several award-winning beers like our Vintage Blonde Ale and Summer Honey Wheat. Today, Keith continues to have fun experimenting and creating new beers for the brewery he founded in 1995. When he’s not standing over a kettle, you can find him restoring classic American cars and bikes in his garage.

Paul Wagner ● Founder, President and Partner ●Balzac Marketing and Communications ~VinCO Conference Kickoff Speaker ~15 Mistakes Wineries Make ~A Perfect Marketing Plan for Small Wineries ~PR and Why You Need It

VinCO 2017 ● Speaker Information

As the agency founder, Paul is the drive behind Balzac’s uncompromising approach to marketing communications. He has conceived and managed public relations programs for some of the most critical audiences in the world. Paul is also a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications and a leading member of the American Wine Society. He regularly lectures on wine throughout the world, and was awarded the “Vida Dedicada Al Vino” prize at FENAVIN in 2009. He was honored as a Spadarino della Castellania de Soave in 2005, and his book, co-authored with Liz Thach and Janeen Olsen, won the Gourmand International award as the best wine book for professionals in 2008. He is also an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College.

Jackie Young ● Marketing Coordinator & Client Services ● Home Loan Insurance ~Cyber Risk and Insuring Wineries and Vineyards Jackie wears a lot of hats for Home Loan Insurance, but one of her responsibilities is to help customers obtain Identity Theft Protection policies through a provider called ID Shield. Jackie also helps put together Cyber Security and Identity Theft seminars for Home Loan’s clients. Besides her day to day marketing responsibilities, Jackie helps Home Loan’s clients utilize the HLIC Client Portal, a resource library full of helpful articles, manuals, HR policies and more.