We received the exciting news that Matt Kettmann would be the newly appointed moderator for The 5^th Annual Chardonnay Symposium (TCS) hosted by Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa in Pismo Beach, from May 16-18, 2014. Matt Kettmann, replaces Steve Heimoff, as a contributing editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, reviewing and reporting on wines from the Central and South Coasts of California.  Steve Heimoff has joined Jackson Family Wines as their new Director of Wine Communications & Education. “We are very grateful to Steve for all the support he has given TCS, including how instrumental he was been in developing this year’s panel discussion topic,” remarked Terence Concannon, Co-Director of the Chardonnay Symposium. “We wish him all the best and think Jackson Family Wines is very fortunate to have him on their team.”

Also announced was the  2014 TCS Seminar Discussion Panel of notable industry experts that will include Brian Talley of Talley Vineyards, Larry Brooks of Tolosa Winery, AJ Fairbanks of Hyde de Villaine, and Chris Hammel of Bien Nacido.

As much as I’ve enjoyed and appreciated Heimoff’s moderating for the past two years, I very much so welcome Kettmann’s direct, intelligent, no-nonsense approach and style.

“Throughout the industry, Kettman is considered to be quite skillful, confident, vocal and thoughtful,” says Katie Bottrell, Director of The Chardonnay Symposium.  “He is just as well suited for an esoteric audience of winemakers as he is for an audience of Chardonnay enthusiasts, so, we are very happy to have him as TCS moderator this year. Add that to the spectrum of experience and area of expertise on this panel, and it’ going to be a very interesting discussion this year.”

 Kettmann will remain the senior editor of The Santa Barbara Independent. He has written about wine for the New York Times, Time Magazine, Smithsonian, Sunset and Wine Spectator and has organized regional food and wine events in Santa Barbara, a well as, moderated the Paso Robles CAB Collective Seminar at the California Wine Festival 2013.

This year, the 2014 TCS Seminar Panel Topic of Discussion will be quite loaded with the topic TCS Co-Director Concannan referred to that Steve Heimoff was instrumental in developing:  Maintaining Terroir Expression in a Changing World:
Is climate change forcing the evolution of Chardonnay? Can vintners preserve traditional terroir expressions using viticulture and winemaking techniques? Or do those interventionist techniques themselves compromise terroir? The seminar includes several tastings of  rare Chardonnays displaying  a range of styles and a plated lunch at $95 per person.

Winery Participants for 2014 TCS include:

Au Bon Climat – Byron – Calera Wine Company – Calstar Cellars – Cambria Wines – Center of Effort  – Chamisal Vineyards – Domaine Laroche – Hyde de Villaine – Jack Creek Cellars – Kumeu River Wines – Kenneth Volk Vineyards – Laetitia – Landmark Vineyard & Winery – Liquid Farm – Migration from Duckhorn – Miner Family Winery – Niven Family Wine Estates – Patz & Hall – Paul Lato Wines – Presqu’ile Wines  - Qupe Wines – Ramey Wine Cellars –Sbagria Family Vineyards – Solomon Hills Vineyards – Talley Vineyards -Thomas Fogarty Winery – Tolosa Winery – Wente Vineyards – Wrath Wines

2014 TCS Schedule of Events:

Grand Chardonnay Dinner May 16, 2014, Friday (7pm) -Lido’s talented Executive Chefs prepare a Wine-Country-Inspired Dinner paired with world-class Chardonnay wines. Limited seating; advanced purchase required; $150.00 per guest.

TCS Seminar Panel Discussion May 17,2014, Saturday (9:30am-12:30pm) - Maintaining Terroir Expression in a Changing World, includes tastings of unique Chardonnays  and a plated lunch. $95 per person.

Grand Chardonnay Tasting & Silent Auction May 17,2014, Saturday (1pm-4pm; 12:30pm VIP/Media Pass admission) – Food samplings provided by Lido, Morro Bay Oyster Company, and Fromagerie Sophie. Proceeds from the Silent Auction will be donated to the Cal Poly Wine & Viticulture Program; $80 per guest.

Share Your Chard Party May 17, Saturday (6pm) – Tolosa Winery hosts a pauleé style celebration with food  by Lido at Dolphin Bay and also, includes special bottlings and featured wines provided by attending producers. Live music and dancing and round trip shuttle service from Dolphin Bay to Tolosa Winery available. Advance purchase required; $65 per guest.

May 18, 2014, Sunday – Ancillary promotions and events in conjunction with TCS to be announced at Central Coast Wineries throughout the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Avila Valley, Santa Maria Valley, and Paso Robles.

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