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 valuable.
For AMÉDÉE, having partners of this caliber in the field is not a luxury, it is a necessity. The science behind our products deserves to be explained by people who understand it, believe in it, and can make it tangible for winemakers seeking results.
AMÉDÉE Lab: precision at the service of the winemaker
One of the major highlights of this edition was the presentation of AMÉDÉE Lab. This collaborative research program allows wineries to work directly with our team to develop tailored solutions, adapted to their grape varieties, their terroirs and their stylistic goals.
AMÉDÉE Lab is not a conventional consulting service. It is a joint exploration, where we deploy our expertise in wood geometry, toasting profiles and nano-bubble oxygen science to co-create unique aging protocols. The response from winemakers at the Symposium was enthusiastic: many saw in AMÉDÉE Lab exactly the kind of partnership they need to refine their work.
New Primary Colors on Cabernet
We also presented results from our latest Primary Color profiles, #23 Caramel and #24 Black Coffee, applied to Cabernets. The feedback was remarkable. Winemakers noted the depth and persistence of these profiles, confirming that our most intense profiles find a particularly successful expression on structured wines.
This is precisely the strength of the Primary Color system: offering the winemaker clearly identified building blocks, endlessly combinable, to construct the exact profile they are looking for.
Innovating in challenging times
Let us be clear: the wine market is going through a complex period. But history shows that it is precisely during periods of pressure that the most significant advances emerge. The wineries investing today in precision, innovation and sustainability are the ones that will emerge strongest.
At the Symposium, we met winemakers who embody this philosophy. No resignation, but a determination to work better, smarter, with tools that give them greater control over the final result.
Sustainability: a concrete commitment
The environmental question was present in many conversations. Our message remains constant: by using wood in the form of oak barrel alternatives, we treat up to 40 times more wine per tree than with traditional barrels. This is not a slogan, it is a measurable reality that makes AMÉDÉE a natural partner for wineries committed to responsible practices.
The team behind the logistics
An event like the Symposium only works if the logistics follow. We want to acknowledge our team based in Lodi, California, who ensures smooth and responsive distribution across the entire US territory. Their daily work, often invisible, is the backbone of our presence in the US market.
See you next year. Until then, we continue to work, to innovate, and to support the winemakers who, like us, believe that the best is yet to come.