Wine Industry Newsletter

Australian Cabernet symposium comes to WA

Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon producers, growers, suppliers, students and marketers can now secure tickets to Australia’s only Cabernet Sauvignon conference, the Australian Cabernet Symposium (ACS), which returns on Thursday 1 February 2024.

For the first time, delegates can attend the triannual event from either Coonawarra or Margaret River.

Traditionally hosted by Coonawarra Grape and Wine Incorporated (CGWI) in South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region, in 2024 the ACS is being presented in association with Wines of Western Australia (WoWA) and sees the joining of forces of Australia’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon producing regions, Coonawarra and Margaret River.

ACS Committee Chair Dr Catherine Kidman said that the 2024 event will be the biggest Australian Cabernet Symposium ever produced.

“We are delighted to be working with our WA colleagues to bring to life the most comprehensive program to date. Led by acclaimed journalist, drinks writer and author Katie Spain as emcee, the symposium will showcase a stellar line-up of international and Australian experts who are all passionate about the world of Cabernet,” she said.

With speakers hailing from France, Hawke’s Bay, Napa Valley, Scotland, Adelaide, Coonawarra and Margaret River, the 2024 ACS will explore and showcase the latest global developments in Cabernet in the fields of wine research, viticulture and winemaking, focusing on the theme 'Supporting Cabernet Sauvignon into the Future'.

The 2024 Australian Cabernet Symposium presenters are as follows. For more information on their presentation topics, visit australiancabernetsymposium.com

  • Rodrigo Laytte (France) - Fine Wines and Terroir Consultant, former International Technical Director for Moët Hennessy Wine Division and former Technical Director at Château Kirwan, Grand Cru Classé de Margaux.
  • Phil Brodie (NZ) – Senior Winemaker at Te Mata in Hawke’s Bay, famous for crafting one of New Zealand’s most revered reds, Coleraine.
  • Vanya Cullen OAM (Aus) – Chief Winemaker at Australia’s first 100% carbon neutral winery, Cullen Wines, and a pioneer of biodynamic and organic practices.
  • Prof Stephen Tyerman (Aus), a plant physiology researcher from the University of Adelaide who will explore predictors of cell death and berry shrivel and key learnings for Cabernet producers.
  • Kym Anderson AC (Aus), George Gollin Professor Emeritus at the University of Adelaide and founding Executive Director of its Wine Economics Research Centre, and Vice-President of the American Association of Wine Economists and Co-Editor of its Journal of Wine Economics.
  • Dr Vinay Pagay (Aus), senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide and co-founder of Athena IR-Tech.
  • Dr Roger Boulton (USA) presenting via video - Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Enology and Chemical Engineering Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis.
  • Ross Sanders (AUS/UK) presenting via video - Research Scientist - Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate, Diageo Scotland and Heriot-Watt University.
  • Trevor Durling (USA) presenting via video - Chief Winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, renowned for crafting the legendary Napa Valley Cabernet, Georges de Latour.

The ACS would like to acknowledge the support of Wine Australia’s Regional Program, Limestone Coast Grape & Wine Council Inc and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA) and our sponsors Hancock Insurance, Elders, Nutrien Ag Solutions, 36° South Beef, and Wattle Range Council; who without their generous support the ACS would not be happening.

To book tickets and for more information about the Australian Cabernet Symposium, visit AustralianCabernetSymposium.com.

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