Joel

this is a test post... oh wait, it's my dad's birthday.... Glad I thought about that...

30th annual Wineries Unlimited, the largest trade show and seminar program for the industry east of the Rockies! Event Schedule We’re excited about our 30th anniversary program, to be held as usual at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, PA. Once again we expect a sold-out trade show with 250 exhibit booths, in two locations; the expo hall, and the Lampeter Room by the front entrance. The conference theme for 2006 will be "Sustainability", with sessions ranging from biodynamic farming to cold climate viticulture. The schedule will return to the traditional Sunday-Wednesday configuration in 2006. Seminars will feature a day of dedicated newcomer-oriented sessions on Sunday 3/12, with three concurrent tracks for viticulture, winemaking and business/management on Monday 3/13 and Tuesday 3/14, with an advanced workshop on bottling issues and protocols on Wednesday 3/15. Riesling will be the major varietal focus in Monday sessions, supplemented with a raspberry/blackberry fruit wine workshop on Tuesday. Monday afternoon will feature a plenary session on "Uniting our industry through organization and alliances", with speakers who will bring success stories on the local and national level about how we can all benefit by working together to help all sectors of the national wine industry. Monday will also feature a two-session workshop on estate succession planning, featuring an attorney, an accountant (Jeff Sully, V&WM financial columnist) and a family farm planning consultant. Back by popular demand will be Elizabeth Slater to speak on "improving the customer tasting room experience and profitability", and Amy Mumma, who will speak on "developing a professional palate" and specific wine flaw issues. More program details and schedule will be forthcoming on this site. Social events will include a regional Bring Your Own Wine tasting Sunday evening, regional tastings, a theme lunch on Monday, grazing lunch with wine in the exhibits, and a new Best of the East on Tuesday night, with a sit-down dinner followed by a live band, dancing and a cash bar. Save money by registering for seminars by January 31, 2006. To mail or fax in your registration, download our Registration Form here (large file) or simply click on the Register Now button at left to enter online immediately. There’s no better opportunity for professional development, doing business and having fun with your industry friends than at Wineries Unlimited — see you in Lancaster in March! Richard Leahy, Program Director Bob Mignarri, Exhibits Director, Quality Event Management Our event is held at the The Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center in Lancaster, PA. Location 2300 Lincoln Highway East (Route 30) Lancaster, PA 17602 Tel: 800-233-0121 Wineries Unlimited Room Rate $93/night (single or double rooms) Distances & Directions New York - 180 miles Philadelphia - 70 miles Washington, DC - 130 miles Pittsburgh - 250 miles I may see you at this one too, Joel

IL Grape Growers & Vintners Association (IGGVA) Conference - February 24 - 26 - Springfield, IL You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual IGGVA Conference. This year's conference will feature an impressive array of speakers on enology, viticulture and marketing. Additionally we will have an expanded vendor presence, a wine reception, and a five-course banquet dinner paired with wine, our annual auction, regional and state IGGVA membership meetings. The Hilton Hotel has reserved 96 rooms at a rate of $85 plus tax. Call the Hotel to reserve your room at (800) 445-8667. The Group Code is VIN , which you should use when registering. Please call right away, because we expect these rooms will sell out. The Hilton Hotel is located in downtown Springfield at 700 East Adams Street . A parking garage is located just behind the hotel. Illinois Wine Web Page Conference Registration Form Conference Agenda I'll be there for the Saturday events. Hope to see you there. Joel

First Annual WinePress.US WineCon 2005 You've talked to everyone in this forum, you've read everyone else's posts in this forum, now's your chance to meet those who can attend and share a glass of wine to compliment or thank them for their participation in the WinePress.US forum. WinePress.US member WineMaking contest Presentations from manufacturers Silent Auction to raise money for WinePress.US operating expenses Attendance Prizes Wine Swap - Bring a couple of extra bottles to trade with other WinePress.US members This event will be held in Denver, CO, USA (exact location to be determined). This event is open to WinePress.US forum members only, so register for FREE if you're not already registerred and join in the fun. Details will be posted here as well as in the thread : http://www.winepress.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=2952 I also hope to have available WinePress.US wine glasses for sale in groups of 4 or individually. This is still in the research phaze.

The 2005 U.S. HWBTA Wine Competition will be sponsored by the Grape & Granary in Akron Ohio. Deadline for entries is April 9th; judging will take place on April 16th. Click here for entry form: http://hwbta.org/winentryform.htm Click here for rules: http://hwbta.org/2005competitionsnew.html

HWBTA Wine Competition will be sponsored by WINEXPERT in Port Coquitlam, BC. Deadline for entries is April 1st; judging will take place on April 2nd. Click here for rules: http://hwbta.org/2005competitionsnew.html Click here for entry form: http://hwbta.org/winentryform.htm

Wineries Unlimited 2005 The Premier Trade Show and Seminar Program In the East Lancaster Host Resort Lancaster, PA March 21- 24, 2005 Monday - Thursday Exhibits open Tuesday-Wednesday SHOW HIGHLIGHTS: • Monday 3/21: All-Day Newcomer Sessions, Keynote Address and Regional Wine Welcome Reception • Record 250 Exhibit Booths, Grazing Lunch with Wine 3/23 • Chardonnay, Blueberry Fruit Wine • “Best of the East” Gala Tasting and Buffet 3/23 • “E” Slater Seminar on “Wine Clubs for Fun and Profit” 3/23 • Phenolic Management in Challenging Vintages Seminar 3/24 (for both Vineyard Mgrs. And Winemakers) For more details: http://www.vwm-online.com/WU/2005/WineriesUnlimited.htm

The date has been set for the 2005 Wine Fair! It will be Sunday, March 6, 2005. Each year the Missouri Winemaking Society (MWS) Wine Fair committee strives to improve our annual wine competition. This year we have made significant changes in the entry classifications. In the past, we have expanded generic classifications based on entries in order to compete varietals head-to-head. This year we have taken the opposite approach by defining specific varietal categories which may be combined or eliminated based on this year’s entries at the discretion of the wine fair committee. This year participants will see that there are two new Sections. The previous “Table Wine” Section has been split into “Dry” and “Off-Dry” wines. We have also made some minor changes to award categories and added a special award for MWS members in honor of the late Charlie Franke. The following page contains a one page summary of deadlines and entry information, but please read the remainder of the document since it has changed significantly from last year. Quick Reference Fair is Sunday, March 6, 2005; judging begins at Noon Entries are $8 each ($6 for MWS members), no limit on number of entries. Max. 2 categories for the same wine. Label competition is $1.00 per label (one free entry into label competition when you enter 3or more wines) Deadlines: Deadline for entry form/fee: February 7, 2005 Deadline for shipped entries: Arrive by March 1, 2005 (MWS Members bring entries to February meeting) Deadline for delivery to site: March 6, 2005, 9 am to 10 am go to www.mowinemakers.org for more info

Open to any home wine maker, not just Missouri. This is the entry deadline date to have your forms filled out and sent in. Quick Reference Fair is Sunday, March 6, 2005; judging begins at Noon Entries are $8 each ($6 for MWS members), no limit on number of entries. Max. 2 categories for the same wine. Label competition is $1.00 per label (one free entry into label competition when you enter 3or more wines) Deadlines: Deadline for entry form/fee: February 7, 2005 Deadline for shipped entries: Arrive by March 1, 2005 (MWS Members bring entries to February meeting) Deadline for delivery to site: March 6, 2005, 9 am to 10 am Download your entry form and rules here: http://www.mowinemakers.org/fair.htm

THE 2004 GREATER KANSAS CITY WINE CLASSIC WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2004!!!! Here are the entry forms for the 2004 Wine Classic: Information Packet (to have a paper packet mailed to you, email your name and address to classic@cellarmasters.org) Web-based Entry Form CLICK HERE Printable Entry Form (2 per page) CLICK HERE Awards Celebration Registration Form CLICK HERE We have some great sponsors this year: Holy-Field Winery (event hosts), White Labs (yeast certificates for all 1st place winners), Hanna Instruments (Checker pH meter prize), Cynmar (Erlenmeyer flask prizes), WineRacks (gift certificate prize), WineMaker Magazine (one year subscription prize). Many thanks to our sponsors! The Greater Kansas City Cellarmasters are in their sixth year of the Greater Kansas City Wine Classic, a judged event for amateur winemaking. This event is open to entries from any home/amateur winemakers, regardless of location, and provides valuable feedback on winemaking efforts. In addition, first, second, and third place ribbons are awarded for each judged category. The Classic has grown to nearly 200 entries in eighteen categories. Additionally, for those who can attend, the Wine Classic culminates in a fantastic Awards Dinner the evening of the event. Great food by an excellent chef is matched with remaining entrants' wines from the day's judging, providing a wonderful opportunity to sample many varieties and styles of wine. Over 90 people attended last year's sold out dinner, so make your reservations early! For more information about the competition, please email classic@cellarmasters.org

Wabash Valley Wine and Arts Festival www.illinoiswine.org

Rend Lake Wine and Art Festival, Whittington, IL www.illinoiswine.org