Wine marketers say consumer shifts call for new approaches

The North Bay Business Journal's 15th annual Wine Industry Conference on April 24 is set to feature keynote speaker and vintner Michael Mondavi as well as two panels of experts focusing on how wine producers can get wine to market and get noticed among a swelling number of competitors.

As background for the issues related to the upcoming conference, the Business Journal interviewed the speaker and seven panelists:

Keynote speaker

'Wine industry should look for opportunity when roadblocks rise': Michael Mondavi, Folio Wine Partners

Panel: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market

Panel: Route to Market

'A new model for wine distribution: Market intelligence partner': Dan Grunbeck, executive vice president for client services and business development, Young's Market Co.

'Avoid 'pet rock syndrome' in getting wine consumers' attention': Bill Leigon, president, Jamieson Ranch Vineyards

'Managing a shift from wholesale distribution to consumer-direct': Joy Sterling, partner and CEO, Iron Horse Vineyards

'E-tailers offer choice consumers crave': Michael Osborn, founder and vice president of merchandising, Wine.com

''Angel' funding grafts consumers into winemaking': Benoit Vialle, chief operating officer, Naked Wines

'Building wine online around the 'buy' button': Joe Waechter, CEO, WineDirect

'Wineries should never cede authority to the 'buy' button': Jim Weinrott, founder, WineAccess

The conference runs from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa in Santa Rosa. Preregistration runs through April 22 and costs $95 a person. To register online, go to NorthBayBusinessJournal.com or call 707-521-5270. Registration also will be available at the door.

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