While Tuesday has long been considered a set-up day for vendors participating in the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium trade show, this year opening day features many of the week’s most sought-after educational sessions, too.

In an attempt to draw attendees for the full three days, organizers scheduled popular events such as the joint grapegrowing and winemaking session with tasting for Jan. 27. Moderated by winemaker Alison Crowe of Garnet Vineyards, “Alcohol in Balance” will tackle the topic of making balanced wines that are low in alcohol. Other winemakers on the panel include Corey Beck of Francis Ford Coppola Presents and Steve Matthiasson of Matthiasson Wines. Olli Davidson, senior vice president of viticulture for Constellation Brands New Zealand, will advise on how to ripen wine grapes at low Brix levels.

Making a succession plan has been a hot topic in the wine industry as members of the baby boomer generation begin to retire. “Preparing Your Wine Business for a Transaction or Sale” promises attendees a look at how two families managed the transition in different ways.

Jan. 27 is also the date for the second annual keynote luncheon; this year Jackson Family Wines president Rick Tigner will impart wisdom from his years of experience in the wine industry. (Learn more on page 62.)

Bleary-eyed wine executives will fill the Hyatt Regency ballroom early Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, for the State of the Industry address. Always packed to standing room only (after stragglers make their way in), the event features insights from industry analyst Jon Fredrikson, economist Mike Veseth and the always-entertaining president of Allied Grape Growers, Nat DiBuduo.

Other highlights of the day include a look at “Wine Trends or Fads?” with representatives from Nielsen Co. and Wine Intelligence, a session about pests that threaten grapevines, and a look at what regulatory hurdles still serve as a barrier to direct wine shipping.

On Jan. 29, several educational programs are provided in Spanish, with a tasting session devoted to red wine grape varieties typically used in blends. Other sessions en Español focus on the ongoing water crisis with applications for the vineyard and the winery.

Program organizers are also reviving the trade show tours introduced in 2014. Two winemaking tours will be offered—one dedicated to water savings and the other to wine aging—and a vineyard tour will focus on water-use efficiency.

Guided tours are available in English and Spanish. Attendees must register for tours in advance.

To register for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, visit unifiedsymposium.org.