Vine Society Wine Summit
“Celebrating Wine and Community”
Friday, December 12, 2025
Cain Center for the Arts
21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031

Concept:

This immersive wine summit will unite wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, renowned winemakers, and curious newcomers for a day of exploration, knowledge, and enjoyment. Attendees can anticipate an engaging mix of expert-led keynotes, general and breakout sessions, wine tastings, and opportunities for networking and community involvement.

 

2025 Theme:
• Unwrapping the World of Wine: This theme allows for diverse topics that appeal to a broad audience. It symbolizes the beginning of a new way to engage in wine learning.

 

Target Audience: Greater Lake Norman Area & Charlotte
• Wine enthusiasts of all levels
• Wine industry professionals (sommeliers, importers, distributors, etc.)
• Anyone interested in learning more about wine

Total Expected Participants (not including organizers and speakers): 200 participants

Sessions:

• Two keynote presentations will be held in the theater. These keynotes are intended for all attendees, and there will be no breakout sessions during the presentations.
• Two general sessions will occur in the Theater to discuss widely relevant topics. Breakout sessions will take place during the general sessions.
• There are four breakout sessions: two in the boardroom (maximum of 20 attendees) and two in classroom 115 (maximum of 20 attendees). These sessions are designed to delve into more specific and in-depth topics with a smaller audience.
• Mimosa and Coffee Break in the Morning
• Lunch (Boxed)
• Two Wine-Tasting Sessions
• Evening Closing Reception

 

Tentative Program
Friday, December 12, 2025

• 9:00 – 10:00 Registration (Lobby Entrance 1st Floor)
  • Attendees arrive, register, and enjoy a welcome glass of mimosa.
  • Coffee and muffins will be available for all guests.
    
    
• 10:00 – 11:00 Welcome & Opening Keynote
  • This is a brief welcome to all participants, an overview of the day’s events, and instructions for the breakout sessions and wine tasting. Launch “Wine Hunt”.
  • The headline sponsor will deliver welcoming remarks.
  • A renowned wine expert, personality, or panel presents an engaging keynote speech on a captivating topic
    
    
• 11:00 – 12:30 General Session + 2 Breakout Sessions
  • A general interest topic and two smaller special interest sessions will co-occur.
    
    
• 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch (Boxed Lunches) & First Wine Tasting & Networking Session.
  
  
• 14:00 – 15:30 General Session + 2 Breakout Sessions
  • A general interest topic and two smaller special interest sessions will co-occur.
    
    
• 15:30 – 16:30 Second Wine Tasting & Networking Session
  
  
• 16:30 – 17:30 Closing Keynote & Closing Remarks
  • A renowned wine expert, personality, and/or panel delivers an engaging keynote speech on a captivating topic, such as “Emerging Wine Regions” or “Wines You May Not Know but Should.”
  • This is a short thank you to all participants, speakers, and sponsors, along with an invitation
    to the closing reception in the lobby.
    
    
• 17:30 – 18:30 Reception & Networking Session: This is the final opportunity to taste wines, enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, and connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and winemakers.

 

Please note this program is a sample and will be tailored to specific interests, venue capacity, and available expertise/resources.

Confirmed Speakers / Panelists

Maximilian Kast, Master Sommelier
David Keck, Master Sommelier
Jesús Martínez Bujanda, Principal, Valdemar Estate (Walla Walla) & Conde Valdemar (Rioja)
Jeff Beckmen, Principal, Beckmen Vineyards, Santa Barbara, CA
Malek Amrani, Principal & Winemaker, The Vice Wine, Napa Valley, CA

Tentative:
Doug Frost, Master Sommelier & Master of Wine

Topic List (Draft)

Below are some examples. Final topics will be decided based on available expertise, wine selections, and alignment with program objectives.

Emerging Wine Regions: Ultra-high-quality wine is produced in often-overlooked areas. Where can we find delicious wine that offers superior quality and value? [K]

The Future of the Wine Industry: An overview of industry trends in wine production, quality, distribution,
and consumer consumption. [K]

What Every Wine Lover Should Know: The ABCs of wine for enthusiasts at all levels. If there are ten things I should know to enhance my enjoyment of wine, what are they? [GS]

Natural, Organic, and Biodynamic Winemaking – What does this involve? A Sustainable Approach – Explore natural and sustainable wine production principles, differences, and practices. [GS]

Cherish The Wines of [Specific Regions TBD]: A comprehensive exploration of a specific wine region, including its history, grape varieties, and wine styles. [GS]

The Art of Wine and Food Pairing: Elevate Your Dining Experience – A practical session on crafting harmonious food and wine pairings. [GS, BO]

The World of Sparkling Wine: Champagne and Beyond – A journey through the diverse styles of sparkling wine from around the globe. [GS, BO]

Decoding Wine Labels: Understanding Appellations, Classifications, Aging, and Other Variables – An informative session on interpreting wine labels and recognizing regional distinctions. [BO]

So, do you want to be a Winemaker? Discover the world of custom crush winemaking. [BO]

The Art of Blind Tasting: Enhance Your Sensory Skills – An engaging session that teaches participants the techniques of blind tasting. [BO]

Wine Collecting 101: Building Your Cellar – Expert tips for starting or growing a wine collection. [BO]

Wine and Technology: Analyzing the impact of technology on winemaking, marketing, and the consumer experience. [BO]

The Impact of Wine Tariffs: Implementing wine tariffs could significantly alter the economic landscape for both importers and consumers, leading to potential price increases and market disruptions. [GS or BO]

Fun Activity (Throughout the day)
* Master Sommelier’s “Wine Hunt”: Each Master Sommelier will select and describe three wines showcased at the event as “their favorites for [a particular purpose].” Participants can taste all the wines and identify which ones the Master Sommeliers have pre-selected. This activity aims to spark curiosity and enjoyably encourage community engagement. The Wine Catalog handed out to every participant will include a dedicated sheet for the Wine hunt. The individual identifying the most wines in the Wine hunt will receive a special trophy at the closing reception.