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California Summit 2013 lines up cream of trade

Published:  17 April, 2013

Harpers' inaugural California Summit on June 4 will feature a roll call of category experts to headline a day of debates, masterclasses, networking and focused tastings all designed to offer expert category insights and interactive feedback for those selling California wines in the UK trade.

Harpers' inaugural California Summit on June 4 will feature a roll call of category experts to headline a day of debates, masterclasses, networking and focused tastings all designed to offer expert category insights and interactive feedback for those selling California wines in the UK trade.

From the multiple and volume on- and off-trade sectors of the market, speakers ranging from Accolade's Paul Schaafsma, Robin Copestick of Copestick Murray, Bibendum's Andrew Shaw, Lucy Clements of Tesco and Matthew Clark's Tony Allen will be among the high profile contributors to both the opening State of Nation category insight session and the 'Big Players' debate.

Branded marketing expert Andrew Marsden, formerly marketing director at Britvic, responsible for devising and launching J20 to the UK soft drinks markets, will analyse the role of big powerful branded players within a trading category, and the role and influence of the major Californian wine brands.

The independent merchant and restaurant sectors will feature speakers including James Doidge at The Wine Treasury and James Hocking of Vineyard Cellars, to leading sommeliers Vanessa Cinti of The Cut and Christopher Delalonde MS of Boundary, plus marketing and consultant input from Damian Carrington of Fields, Morris & Verdin and Neil Bruce of Studio Alto.

The day will also include focused masterclasses, including Cutting Edge California - Terroir and Diversity, and two Wines for Your Business sessions covering both the the premium on-trade and independent merchants. These will be lead by Christian Jacobson of steak restaurant MASH and Mark Andrew of California champion Roberson Wine.

There will also be 10 themed free pour tasting areas designed to highlight: Affordable California; Cult Classics; Off-Piste Whites and Reds; Premium Brands; Rhone Rangers; Sensational Chardonnays, Cool Climate Pinot; The Pleasures of Zin; and Going Green (organic, bio and sustainably produced wines).

The day is being run in partnership with the Wine Institute of California  and is designed to explore how businesses can best maximise the potential of their California wine offering at a time when the category is bucking the trend by delivering growth in the UK.

The California Summit takes place on June 4, at No.11 Cavendish Square, London W1G.

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