The Unified Wine and Grape Symposium is always a highlight of our year, but the 2026 edition held a special energy. In a market facing real headwinds, there was something deeply motivating about gathering with the people who refuse to stand still.
A booth brought to life by OENOTOOLS
This year, our presence was powered by the incredible team at OENOTOOLS. Joe Lutomske and Nikki Holden brought their signature blend of deep technical knowledge and infectious enthusiasm to every conversation at the booth. Their ability to engage winemakers, translate complex concepts into practical solutions, and keep the energy high throughout the event was nothing short of masterful. And then there was Doug Manning, a Symposium veteran whose number of appearances at this event has become genuinely difficult to count. Doug's experience and passion for oak alternatives continue to make every interaction meaningful.
Introducing AMEDEE Lab to the industry
One of the highlights of this year's Symposium was the presentation of AMEDEE Lab, our suite of decision-support tools designed to help winemakers navigate the complexity of oak alternatives with confidence. AMEDEE Lab puts data, simulation, and sensory mapping at the winemaker's fingertips, transforming what was once a trial-and-error process into a precise, guided experience.
Expanding the Primary Color palette
We were thrilled to showcase the expansion of our Primary Color range, with new profiles that open up exciting possibilities for winemakers. Among them, #23 Caramel and #24 Black Coffee stood out as genuine crowd favorites. The reaction to Black Coffee on Cabernet Sauvignon was remarkable: winemakers were genuinely amazed by the depth, the roasted intensity, and the way it integrates into the wine's structure without overwhelming the fruit. These new profiles give winemakers even more building blocks to compose exactly the sensory outcome they envision.
Innovation in challenging times
Let's be honest: the industry is going through a tough period. But we believe that challenging times are precisely when innovation matters most. At the Symposium, we focused on what AMÉDÉE alternatives can concretely deliver in this environment: cost reduction through smarter use of oak resources, faster time to market for new wines that need to reach consumers quickly, and the agility to experiment and adapt without the constraints and costs of traditional barrel programs.
But difficult times are no reason to forget who we are. Throughout every conversation, we also talked about what defines AMÉDÉE at its core: sustainability, eco-responsibility, and energy efficiency. The fact that a single oak tree can treat 40 times more wine as alternatives than as barrels is not just an economic argument. It is an ecological imperative. And our convection-based toasting process, developed with energy efficiency as a guiding principle, reflects our commitment to responsible manufacturing.
The Lodi team in action
We also had the pleasure of seeing our Lodi logistics team stop by the booth. Having our US-based operations team present at the Symposium was a reminder of the complete infrastructure we have built to serve American winemakers: from product development in France to warehousing and rapid delivery from California. It was a proud moment to see the full AMÉDÉE ecosystem come together under one roof.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium reinforced what we already knew: even in uncertain markets, there is enormous appetite for smart, sustainable, cost-effective solutions. We left Sacramento energized and grateful, ready to keep pushing the boundaries of what oak alternatives can achieve.
A huge thank you to Joe, Nikki, Doug, and the entire OENOTOOLS team for making this edition unforgettable. And thank you to every winemaker who stopped by to taste, discuss, and dream about what's next.