Virginia Wine Trade Intensive: Full Schedule

The Virginia Wine Trade Intensive is a high-impact professional development experience built for the trade to taste, learn, and sell Virginia Wine with confidence.

3:45pm EDT

Through the Judges’ Glass

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Jefferson Hotel

A look at Virginia Wine through one of its most consistent lenses: the Virginia Governor’s Cup. Drawing on years of judging insight and trend observation, this session—led by Competition Director Frank Morgan—traces how Virginia’s varieties, styles, and regional strengths have evolved, highlighting what’s rising now and what it signals for buyers, wine lists, and the broader market.

Moderators

Frank Morgan

Frank Morgan has been writing about the wines, wineries and winemakers of Virginia for over 15 years. He serves as Director of Judging for the Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competition and organizer of the Monticello Cup Wine Competition and the Shenandoah Valley Wine Competition... Read More →

Speakers

Andrew Bilenkij

Winemaker, CrossKeys Vineyards

Andrew began his winemaking career in 2002 in Australia and began working Harvest positions in both hemispheres before completing a winemaking and viticulture degree at Lincoln University in New Zealand. He held a winemaking position under Philip Shaw in Orange NSW and completed internships... Read More →

Seth Chambers

Winemaker, The Winery at La Grange

"Seth Chambers has been making wine in Virginia for 20 years. He received his bachelor's degree in Organic Chemistry from Penn State University in 2006. He earned his Enology Certification from Washington State University in 2011 and has been making wine at The Winery at La Grange... Read More →

Rob Cox

Winemaker, Paradise Springs Winery

Rob Cox was born in Carroll County, Maryland. From a family of produce farmers Rob was predisposed to continue working with the land. He first studied Business at Frostburg State. After graduation, Rob attended the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture concentrating... Read More →

Emily Hodson

Winemaker, Veritas Vineyard & Winery

Luca Paschina

Estate Director, Barboursville Vineyards

A third generation winemaker , born in Torino he graduated at the School of enology in Alba in 1981 and then worked in grape-growing and winemaking in Piemonte, Puglia, Napa Valley, Finger Lakes NY and Switzerland.He has been managing the Barboursville Vineyards Estate since July... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Jefferson Hotel

Late Afternoon Breakout

3:45pm EDT

Virginia at the Table

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Jefferson Hotel

The best argument for Virginia wine isn't made in a classroom; it's made at the table. This session pairs Virginia wines with a curated spread of Virginia-sourced small bites. Come with your menu in mind. Leave with pairings you can sell and a conviction that Virginia wine doesn't just belong on your list, it belongs on your table.

Speakers

David Dunlap

Chef, Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen & 1807 Restaurant

Chef David Dunlap is a celebrated culinary talent whose journey reflects a deep passion for exceptional food, local ingredients, and warm hospitality. Born in Washington state, Dunlap began his professional career in kitchens at age 19 and honed his skills through formal training... Read More →

Winn Roberton

Head Sommelier, Bourbon Steak Four Seasons Hotel

As a child in suburban Washington, DC, Winn Roberton's dining out experience was limited to family birthday celebrations, but the 'magic' of restaurant operations that entranced him then has had a fast hold ever since. These days, as a member of the wine team overseeing the capital... Read More →

Troy Hancock

Certified Sommelier, The Roosevelt

I started off in the wine world as a server at a French bistro in Raleigh NC. with a background in agriculture my interest for viticulture and wine production grew into me making hospitality and wine my life here in Richmond VA

Michael Skipper

Chef/Wine Director, The Shack

Chef Michael Skipper has spent over six years in the kitchen at The Shack, including three years working alongside owner Ian Boden. After several years away, he returned to help lead the restaurant’s day-to-day operations and lead The Shack into its next chapter while Chef Boden... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Jefferson Hotel

Late Afternoon Breakout

3:45pm EDT

What’s in Your Glass? The New Faces of Virginia Wine

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Jefferson Hotel

A tasting and conversation spotlighting a new generation of small, independent Virginia producers shaping what comes next for the state’s wine identity. Meet the people (and the wines) driving quality and originality through fresh approaches to farming, grape selection and business models.

Moderators

Nate Walsh

Walsh Family Wine

Nate Walsh is the founder of Walsh Family Wine, focusing on vineyard-designate wines in Loudoun County, VA. He has worked for vineyards and wineries in Northern Virginia, Central Virginia, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Speakers

Reggie Leonard

Co-Founder, Parralex Project

Kent Arendt

Owner/Winemaker, Boden Young

Kent began working in the wine industry in 2016 in the Columbia Valley, Washington. He has worked at Walsh Family Wine since 2017, starting as a vineyard and cellar hand and working his way up to Winemaker. Additionally, he has completed certificate programs from Washington State... Read More →

Sandy Robertson

Owner/Winemaker, Dogwood & Thistle

Born in Hong Kong, bred in England, Sandy started his career working at wineries in France and England and graduated from Plumpton College, the University of Brighton, with honors in Viticulture and Oenology. He came to Sonoma County in 2007 to work in the cellar at Merry Edwards... Read More →

Corry Craighill

Winemaker, Septenary Winery/Wound Tight

Corry brings many years of winemaking experience from a variety of regions, including South Africa, France, Australia, New Zealand, California, and Oregon in addition to her native Virginia. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she is excited to be in Charlottesville making... Read More →

John Noer

Founder/Winemaker, Noer Vineyards

John Noer grew up on a family property featuring a small 2-acre vineyard right in the front yard. He went on to become an assistant winemaker at the oldest winery in Loudoun County and honed his expertise in viticulture and winemaking through UC Davis. Driven by his passion for the... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Jefferson Hotel

Late Afternoon Breakout

3:45pm EDT

3:45pm EDT

3:45pm EDT

Get help with the event