Napa set for second International Cabernet Symposium

Some of the world's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers and technical experts convene in Napa this summer for the second International Cabernet Symposium.

Lunch at Harlan Estate, June 2010

The Symposium, which first took place in 2010, is organised by a committee including Opus One CEO David Pearson and communications director Roger Asleson, and leading Cabernet winegrowers in Napa Valley, France, Italy, South America and Australia.

It aims to ‘create an intimate and collaborative environment for growers and winemakers of the world’s most prized red wine grape family’.

The lineup of speakers includes Thomas Duroux of Château Palmer, Warren Winiarski, founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Laura Catena of Argentina’s Bodega Catena Zapata, Elias Fernandez of Shafer Vineyards, Vanya Cullen of Margaret River and Roger Boulton and Carole Meredith of the University of California at Davis.

Bordeaux will be heavily represented, with Jean-Guillaume Prats of Chateau Cos d’Estournel, and winemakers and technical managers from Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Cheval Blanc.

Over three days discussions will include the development of Rutherford as a prime region for Cabernet Sauvignon, a study of the geology and terroir of Stags Leap District, and a study of Argentinian wines with a special focus on Malbec.

Other discussions will examine Cabernet clones 7 and 337, and look at ways of safeguarding the grape harvest during extreme weather conditions.

‘In today’s changing and challenging world, perhaps the greatest error that we can make is to assume that there is no need to share information,’ the organisers say.

‘In fact today, more than at any time in the past, we must work together to share ideas and best practices.’

The Symposium takes place in Napa from 26-28 June 2012.

Written by Adam Lechmere