Details for the 2012 IPNC will be added to this page as the event draws closer. In the meantime, see below for the full list of 2011 seminars and speakers.
Click to see Grand Seminar, Afternoon Chef Panel, Afternoon Sommelier Panel, and Add-On Tastings.
IPNC KEYNOTE SPEAKER
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Joshua Wesson, J WESSON WINE & FOOD
Once a hugely respected sommelier who reveled in the extravagance of princely pours, Josh now sips from the cups of carpenters in his never-ending quest for deliciousness for all. Co-founder of Best Cellars—a chain of award-winning wine stores where the bottles are arranged by taste and affordably priced, Josh recently began work on a revolutionary new retail venture involving wine, beer, spirits and under-clothed Estonian runway models. In 1984 he won the title of Best Sommelier in French Wines and Spirits in the United States. In In 1997 FOOD & WINE magazine named him Retail Wine Innovator of the Year. In 2003 he received the prestigious Ambassador’s Award from the European Wine Council. In 2005 JetBlue Airways selected him as its official Low-Fare Sommelier, and in 2009 the Wine Enthusiast honored Josh and Best Cellars with the Wine Star Award as Retailer of the Year. Josh has been a frequent guest on CBS’s The Early Show and CNN. He is also a regular commentator on NPR/Public Radio International’s The Splendid Table. His latest book, Williams-Sonoma Food & Wine, is available everywhere lushly photographed food porn is sold. |
2011 GRAND SEMINAR - The Worldwide Pinot Community: 25 Years of Collaboration
Join moderator Eric Asimov, wine critic for The New York Times, and world-renowned winemakers David Adelsheim of Adelsheim Vineyard, Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat, Veronique Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Dominique Lafon of Domaine de Comtes Lafon and Evening Land Vineyards and Larry McKenna of Escarpment Vineyards for a tasting and discussion of ten wines, which will explore the influence that cross-pollination and the exchange of ideas between peers and regions have had on the evolution of Pinot noir.‣MODERATOR
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Eric Asimov, THE NEW YORK TIMES (New York, NY)
2011 IPNC Grand Seminar ModeratorEric Asimov is the chief wine critic of The New York Times, a position he assumed in June of 2004. Previously, he served as editor of the Living section from 1991 to 1994 and editor of Styles of The Times from 1994 to 1995. Eric’s writing has appeared in numerous publications such as Food & Wine, Details, and Martha Stewart Living. His first book, $25 and Under: A Guide to the Best Inexpensive Restaurants in New York, was published annually by HarperCollins from 1995 to 1998. He also co-authored The New York Times Guide to Restaurants 2004, the fifth edition of the guide. Eric is currently writing his first book on wine, entitled How to Love Wine. |
‣WINEMAKER PANELISTS
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David Adelsheim, ADELSHEIM VINEYARD (Newberg, OR)
David Adelsheim is President of Adelsheim Vineyard, which he founded with Ginny Adelsheim in 1971. His principal role today is strategic planning, focused on marketing and sales, financial planning, and over-all direction of vineyard and winemaking activities. His early winemaking experience included work at the experimental winery of the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, France, and the Eyrie Vineyards in Oregon. On behalf of the Oregon wine industry, he has led work on clonal importation, wine labeling regulations, establishing statewide and regional industry organizations, and the creation of industry events, such as the International Pinot Noir Celebration and Oregon Pinot Camp. |
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Jim Clendenen, AU BON CLIMAT (Los Olivos, CA)
Upon graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara in pre-law, Jim Clendenen visited Burgundy and Champagne, convincing him to attempt a career in wine instead of law. After three harvests in both Australia and Burgundy, Jim started his own winery in 1982. Au Bon Climat, which means “a well-exposed vineyard”, has grown to over 30,000 cases and has an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. In 1989 and again in 1990, Au Bon Climat was on Robert Parker’s short list of “Best Wineries in the World.” Food & Wine magazine named Jim “Winemaker of the Year” in 2001 and one of the world’s “50 Most Influential Winemakers” in 2004. Also in 2004, Wein Gourmet, Germany’s leading wine magazine, named Jim “Winemaker of the World” and in 2007, Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America.” |
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Veronique Drouhin, MAISON JOSEPH DROUHIN (Beaune) & DOMAINE DROUHIN OREGON (Dundee, Oregon)
The Drouhin family has been making wine in Burgundy since 1880, and the tradition now continues into the fourth generation. Véronique Drouhin-Boss, great-granddaughter of Joseph Drouhin, is winemaker for the Drouhins’ Oregon estate, Domaine Drouhin Oregon (DDO), and guiding palate at their Burgundy house, Maison Joseph Drouhin (MJD). In 1986, Véronique worked harvest in Oregon, at Adelsheim, Eyrie and Bethel Heights wineries. This foreshadowed what would soon become a major part of her life: In 1987, her father, Robert, purchased land in the Dundee Hills of Oregon, established Domaine Drouhin Oregon and named Véronique as winemaker. To this day, the wines that Véronique handcrafts in Oregon are prized for their elegance, balance, finesse and longevity - all hallmarks of the Drouhin style. |
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Dominique Lafon, DOMAINE DES COMTES LAFON (Meursault) & EVENING LAND VINEYARDS (Salem, OR)
Dominique Lafon, manager of the renowned family estate Domaine des Comte Lafon, is one of Burgundy’s most progressive, forward-thinking, and venerable vintners. Taking over from his father René Lafon in 1984, Dominique has been instrumental in implementing major viticulture changes in Burgundy favoring farming methods that are respectful of the environment over the traditional methods that often included fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The 13.8 Hectare estate, which was largely established by his great-grandfather Jules Joseph Barthélémy Lafon in the late 1800s, is comprised of some of the most famous ‘Crus’ in Meursault, Puligny, and Montrachet. |
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Larry McKenna, ESCARPMENT VINEYARDS (Martinborough, NZ)
Larry McKenna might easily be described as the Prince of Martinborough Pinot. Larry was born and breed in Adelaide South Australia, graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1976 and has nearly three decades of winemaking experience under his belt. In 1986 Larry left his post at Delegat's Wine Estate in Auckland to take up the position of CEO/Winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard in the Wairarapa region. From 1986 to 1999 he grew this company from 20 to 160 tons and firmly put Martinborough Vineyard and himself on the world map as one of the pre-eminent New World Pinot Noir winegrowers. Since 1999 Larry has been Director and Winemaker for Escarpment Vineyard, which was was established by Larry and his wife Sue together with Robert and Mem Kirby with a simple aim: to continually produce the very best of tomorrow's definitive New World wines. The Escarpment wines aim to reward wine lovers with progressive and suggestive wines that encourage them to venture to the edge of wine loving and appreciation. |
AFTERNOON CHEF PANEL: The Evolution of Northwest Farm-To-Table Cuisine (Friday 3:30 - 5:30)
Join chef panelists and moderator Cole Danehower, Editor-in-Chief of Northwest Palate Magazine, for a two-part sessions dedicated to the past, present and future of the Northwest farm-to-table movement. Following a panel discussion, retire to the lawn where each chef will share special dishes from their kitchens.‣MODERATOR
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Cole Danehower, NORTHWEST PALATE MAGAZINE
Cole Danehower has been a leading regional wine journalist for more than a decade, reporting on the wines, winemakers, and wine countries of the Pacific Northwest. A winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Journalism Award, he is also copublisher of Northwest Palate and author of that magazine’s popular “Inside Northwest Wine” column. His wine writing has also appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Oregonian, The Register Guard, and Wines & Vines. A frequent judge for the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, the Oregon Wine Competition, the Portland Indie Wine Festival, and numerous regional wine competitions, he is also a popular speaker on the region’s wines. |
‣CHEF PANELISTS
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Scott Dolich, PARK KITCHEN (Portland, OR)
Drawn by the abundant local produce of the region, Scott Dolich of Park Kitchen began putting down roots in Portland in 1993. He began working with leading chefs and restaurateurs in Portland including David Machado, chef and owner of Lauro, Cory Schreiber, chef and owner of Wildwood and 1999 James Beard Award winner, and Greg Higgins, chef and owner of Higgins and 2002 James Beard Award winner. Scott's talent and desire were clear to see, and it was not long before he was made executive chef at Northwest neighborhood favorite Tapeo. In 2003, Scott realized a long-held desire and opened Park Kitchen. The restaurant expresses his love of cooking and respect for the integrity of local ingredients in a menu that is reflective of the changing seasons. With a staff that shares a common dedication and vision, Park Kitchen provides a welcoming atmosphere and a fresh, flavorful menu. |
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Greg Higgins, HIGGINS RESTAURANT & BAR (Portland, Oregon)
Greg Higgins attended Hartwick College to study fine arts and worked nights at a traditional Italian restaurant, where he was introduced to classic northern Italian cooking. After college and European travels, he returned to the United States to cook in restaurants in Sun Valley, Seattle and, finally, Portland, where he received rave reviews for almost a decade as Executive Chef at The Heathman Hotel. In 1994, Higgins opened his own restaurant, “Higgins,” with his partner Paul Mallory. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the restaurant features flavorful, bistro-style dishes served in an elegant, comfortable surrounding. Higgins' cooking focuses on Pacific Northwest ingredients and traditional French techniques, incorporating an eclectic range of influences from around the world. His attention to classical technique is equaled by his passion for finding the freshest, highest-quality ingredients form local organic producers. |
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Cory Schreiber, THE ART INSTITUTE OF PORTLAND (Portland, Oregon)
Portland native Cory Schreiber founded Wildwood Restaurant in 1994 and became a leader in the regions' bustling culinary scene. Cory won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Pacific Northwest in 1998 and in the summer of 2000 his first cookbook, Wildwood: Cooking from the Source in the Pacific Northwest, was published by Ten Speed Press. Schreiber is most recently known for his work with the Oregon Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School program. This program connects K-12 schools throughout Oregon with local farms, furthering the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias. Cory is now a part of the The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Portland as Culinary Artist-in-Residence |
AFTERNOON SOMMELIER PANEL: Uncovering the Secrets of Sommeliers
Moderator Jordan Mackay and Sommelier Rajat Parr, co-authors of James Beard Award winning Secrets of the Sommeliers: How to Think and Drink Like the World's Top Wine Professionals, will be joined onstage by three of the country's iconic sommeliers for an engaging discussion on the secrets of their trade and the role Pinot noir has played in their careers in wine.‣MODERATOR
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Jordan Mackay, AUTHOR & JOURNALIST
Jordan Mackay has devoted the last eight years exploring, understanding, and writing about wine. Formerly a writer for Texas Monthly and wine columnist for the Austin American Statesman, he became Wine and Spirits editor for San Francisco's 7x7 Magazine, and a contributing writer to Wine and Spirits. Jordan is a regular contributor to The New York Times and has written about food and wine in many publications including Food & Wine, Gourmet, Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, Los Angeles Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Jordan’s first book, Passion for Pinot, was published in 2009 and his second book Secrets of the Sommeliers: How to Think and Drink Like the World's Top Wine Professionals, was co-authored with Rajat Parr and awarded a James Beard Award. |
‣SOMMELIERS
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Daniel Johnnes, DANIEL BOULUD'S DINEX GROUP
After spending 20 years as the Wine Director for Montrachet and the Myriad restaurant group, Daniel Johnnes became Wine Director for Daniel Boulud's Dinex Group, including Restaurant Daniel, DB Bistro, DBGB, Cafe Boulud and Bar Boulud. He is also an author, an importer, and the organizer of the annual Burgundy celebration, La Paulée de New York. Daniel received the highest honor awarded to a wine professional in the United States when the James Beard Foundation named him ‘2006 Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year’. He was named the ‘Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year’ by Santé in 2000 and was honored as the nation's top sommelier by the James Beard Foundation in May of 1995, receiving the ‘Outstanding Wine Service Award.’ In 1994 Daniel brought the highly coveted ‘Grand Award’ from the Wine Spectator to restaurant Montrachet and that same publication called Montrachet ‘New York's finest wine restaurant.’ In 1991, Daniel finished as one of the top 10 sommeliers in the country in a competition sponsored by Food and Wines from France. Robert M. Parker Jr., publisher of The Wine Advocate described Daniel as “our nation's finest (and nicest) sommelier.” Daniel has been the subject of many feature articles in various wine publications and has been a contributor to Food & Wine, Gourmet, Wine & Spirits, and Santé, among others. He has appeared as a guest on CBS This Morning, NBC Today Show, Food Network, Martha Stewart Living and other major network affiliates. In The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Frank Prial noted, “To describe Daniel Johnnes as a sommelier would be like describing Stephen Sondheim as a piano player. There's a bit more to it.” |
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Rajat Parr, MICHAEL MINA GROUP
Though food was Rajat Parr’s first love, wine became his great passion. He began his career as an apprentice to one of the industry’s most acclaimed master sommeliers, Larry Stone at Rubicon. There, he worked closely with Stone to gain extensive knowledge of great wines from around the world, as well as an affection for wines of Burgundy. In 1999, Parr brought his expertise to Fifth Floor in San Francisco, which quickly received rave reviews and the Grand Award from Wine Spectator after only 2 years of its opening. In 2003, Parr was named wine director of Mina Group where he is responsible for developing and managing the wine programs at each restaurant. As Wine Director of Mina Group and its signature restaurant, MICHAEL MINA, Rajat presides over a list of more than 2,500 wines from all over the world, including one of the most in-depth lists from Burgundy. The restaurant and Parr’s wine list was awarded Wine Spectator ‘Grand Award’ in 2005 and 2005. Parr’s schedule is full but he does not rest on his laurels. Parr has found the time to start his own label, Parr Selection, making its debut in 2007, as well as build and nurture significant relationships with choice California estates, allowing Parr the opportunity to pour selections exclusive to Mina Group restaurants from these preferred estates. Rajat's first book Secrets of the Sommeliers: How to Think and Drink Like the World's Top Wine Professionals, was co-authored with Jordan Mackay and won a James Beard Award. |
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Larry Stone, MS, Evening Land Vineyards
With his "computer-like mind" and "approachable attitude about wine," sommelier Larry Stone is one of only two Americans to have won the competition for International Best Sommelier in French Wines and Spirits from Food and Wines from France. He is the only American to have earned the title of French Master Sommelier from the Union de la Sommelerie Française. After leaving Four Seasons Hotels in 1989, Larry established one of the most respected wine programs in the country at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago. He then became a partner with Drew Nieporent in Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco, where he built an award-winning wine list and mentored an influential group of young sommeliers. Stone received the Beard Foundation's Outstanding Wine Service Award in 2000 and was also elected to the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who. He has served as a Trustee of the James Beard Foundation since 2005. From 2006 to 2010 he was the General Manager of Francis Ford Coppola's Rubicon Estate. In 2010 he became the President of Evening Land Vineyards, which specializes in Estate Grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from exceptional terroirs in Oregon, California and Burgundy. Though he still resides in Napa, he now happily divides much of his time between Salem, Beaune and Lompoc. |
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Kevin Zraly, WINDOWS ON THE WORLD WINE SCHOOL
Kevin Zraly is celebrating his 35th Anniversary in 2011 as the founder and teacher of the immensely popular Windows on the World Wine School that has graduated almost 20,000 students since its inception. He has been teaching wine for over 40 years, beginning at the age of 20, and has studied wine-making techniques in California and all the great wine regions of Europe. Acclaimed as the creator of the famous wine list at Windows on the World (which sold more wine than any restaurant in the United States), he also designed the training program for the most knowledgeable wine-service staff in America. Over the years Kevin has garnered much recognition and is the recipient of various awards including the James Beard Award as the ‘Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year,’ Food and Beverage Association’s ‘Man of the Year Award,’ and ‘Wine Professional of the Year Award’ from Santé. Kevin is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America and has been featured in The New York Times, People magazine, The Wall Street Journal, GQ magazine, Newsweek, and USA Today, among others. Kevin has co-hosted the Food Network’s Wine A to Z and his charisma, engagingly breezy style, and love of wine captivate everyone he teaches. |
ADD-ON TASTING #1- The Mysteries of Wine Ageing
An exclusive tasting and discussion of rare, aged Pinots from famed Burgunian estates Domaine Comte Armand and Maison Camille Giroud, and historic wineries The Eyrie Vineyards and Ponzi Vineyards. Join winemaker panelists and moderator Allen Meadows of Burghound as they explore the mysteries and theories behind the ageing of wine. Seating is limited to 50 guests. Reserve Tickets. Please Note: This seminar is offered as an add-on solely to full-weekend guests.‣MODERATOR
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Allen Meadows, BURGHOUND
After 25 years as a finance executive, Allen Meadows elected to retire to author a book on the subject of Burgundy, his long time passion and obsession. The book project evolved into an extensive quarterly review, Burghound.com. The review was initially devoted exclusively to the coverage of the wines of Burgundy and later added U. S. Pinot noir and bi-annual coverage of Champagne. The critically acclaimed quarterly publication has subscribers in more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states. Hailed as “the world’s foremost Burgundy expert” by respected wine author Matt Kramer, Meadows published his first book, The Pearl of the Côte – the Great Wines of Vosne-Romanée, released in July 2010. |
‣WINEMAKER PANELISTS
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Benjamin Leroux, COMTE ARMAND LE DOMAINE DES EPENEAUX
Benjamin Leroux is the winemaker at the highly regarded Domaine Comte Armand in Pommard and launched his own micro-negociant label in 2007. He’s a former winner of Burgundy’s best young talent trophy, and widely reputed to be among the best winemakers in the world. Ben worked harvest in Oregon at Domaine Drouhin in 1996 and 1997. The wines under Ben’s label come from many of the top growers throughout Burgundy, including an ever-expanding selection of Grand Crus. The wines are made in Ben’s new facility in Beaune, which he shares with another of Burgundy pre-eminent winemakers, Dominique Lafon. |
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David Croix, MAISON CAMILLE GIROUD
David Croix, head winemaker at eminent Camille Giroud, was named ‘the emerging talent of the year’ by Bourgogne Aujourd'hui Magazine (issue no 73) and continues to garner accolades from critics and peers alike. In addition to his role at Maison Camille Giroud, David is founder and owner of Domaine des Croix, a young winery bearing his name. The domaine has been organic since 2008 and the vineyards consist of vines in Savigny, Pommard and Corton-Charlemagne plus five Beaune 1er Crus including Bressandes, Greves, Pertuisots, and Cent Vignes. |
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Jason Lett, THE EYRIE VINEYARDS
Jason Lett is the second-generation president, winemaker, vineyard manager (and self-proclaimed curator) of The Eyrie Vineyards in Oregon. As the son of vanguard producers David and Diana Lett, Jason has had 40 years of experience with Oregon vineyards and winemaking, and has worked in Europe and New Zealand as well. He combines his hands-on experience with an academic background in research ecology. Jason returned to the winery as winemaker in 2005. In 2008, his father David passed away, leaving the winery and vineyards under the stewardship of Jason and his mother. When he's not making wine, Jason and his wife Dianne tend a small farm of their own, with livestock including goats, sheep, chickens, and three young children. |
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Luisa Ponzi, PONZI VINEYARDS
Luisa Ponzi graduated from Portland State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science. Following her undergraduate studies, she moved to Beaune, France, where she continued her education in viticulture and enology. As part of the required curriculum, Luisa apprenticed with Burgundian producer Domaine Roumier of Chambolle Musigny, France as well as with Italian producer Luca Currado of Vietti in Piedmont, Italy. In 1993, Luisa was awarded the Certficate Brevet Professionnel D’Oenologie et Viticulture, at the time the only American woman to earn such distinction. Luisa combines her formal winemaking experience with her lifelong work with her father, Dick Ponzi, at their Willamette Valley vineyards and winery. She continues to educate herself through contacts with winemakers around the world, frequent winery tastings and vineyard and winemaking conferences. She currently sits on the advisory board of the Northwest Enology and Viticulture Center in Salem, Oregon. Luisa and her husband, fellow winemaker Eric Hamacher, and their four children reside atop Chehalem Mountain with commanding views of the glorious valley. For 17 vintages, Luisa’s passion and winemaking talent have continued Ponzi Vineyards’ 40-year acclaimed tradition of producing some of the world’s finest wines. |
ADD-ON TASTING #2: White Wine & Cheese Pairing
Esteemed author and cheese expert Laura Werlin will explore the art of pairing through a tasting and comparison of six Oregon cheeses paired with domestic and international white wines. Each attendee will receive a signed copy of Laura's James Beard award-winning The All American Cheese and Wine Book. $100. Reserve Tickets. Seating is limited to 50 guests.‣MODERATOR
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Laura Werlin, THE NEW AMERICAN CHEESE
Laura Werlin is an esteemed author and one of the country’s foremost authorities on cheese. She has written five books on the subject including her James Beard award-winning The All American Cheese and Wine Book and her newest book, Grilled Cheese. Laura is a sought-after speaker and spokesperson for consumer and trade organizations, and is a frequent television and radio guest. Additionally, she writes for many national food magazines and teaches at The Cheese School of San Francisco. When she isn’t eating cheese, Laura can be found jogging on the streets of San Francisco, where she lives. |