Speakers & Moderators
Our roster is actively expanding — new voices and leaders will be added as they join.
Julian Alston
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics & Director, Robert Mondavi Institute Center for Wine Economics, UC Davis
Jing Cao
Professor of Statistics, Southern Methodist University
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Mason Earles
Assoc. Professor of Viticulture and Enology, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis & CTO and Co-Founder, Scout
Xin Liu
Professor of Computer Science, UC Davis
Andrew McElrone
Research Plant Physiologist & Adjunct Professor, USDA-ARS & UC Davis
Dan Petroski
Winemaker, Massican Winery
Natalie Wang
Editor, Vino Joy News
Orley Ashenfelter
Joseph Doogla Green 1895 Professor of Economics, Emeritus, Princeton
Felicity Carter
Founder, Drinks Insider
Stephanie Edge
Sr Director Group Winemaking & Technical Services, Constellation Brands
Karen MacNeil
President and CEO, Karen MacNeil & Company
Xiao-Li Meng
Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Data Science Review
Ron Runnebaum
Assoc. Professor in Viticulture & Enology and Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
Christine Wenteu
Chair of the Board, Wente Family Estates
Eric Asimov
Chief Wine Critic, The New York Times
Luis Diaz-Garcia
Assistant Professor of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, Davis
Ed Feuchuk
General Manager, Tank Garage Winery
Wanda Mann
East Coast Editor, The SOMM Journal
Michael Mondavi
Co-Founder, Michael Mondavi Family Estate
Audrey Russek, PhD
Curator, Food, and Wine, UC Davis
Jason Wise
Chief Creative Officer, SOMM TV
Katerina Axelsson
CEO and Founder, Tastry
Christine Diepenbrock
Associate Professor in Plant Sciences, UC Davis
Robin Goldstein
Economist and Director of the Cannabis Economics Group affiliated with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis
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Philippe Masset
Assoc. Professor of Finance, EHL Hospitality Business School
Ben Montpetit
Marvin Sands Department Chair, and Richard E. Kunde Endowed Chair in the Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
Dan Sumner
Program and Event Manager, Frank H. Buck Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis & Director, Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics
Julian Braithwaite
Chief Executive, International Alliance for Responsible Drinking
Ashley DuBois Leonard
Founder and CEO, InnoVint
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Cathy Huyghes
CEO and Co-Founder, Enolytics
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Jill J. McCluskey
Regents Professor & Director of the School of Economics, Washington State University
Sam Paddock
CFO, Next Gen Learning
Dr. Liz Thach, MW
President, Wine Market Council
Program Overview
An overview of the 2026 symposium, presenting preliminary session titles, with additional speakers and sessions added as the program continues to take shape.
🍇 Registration & Morning Coffee, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM International Center
🍇 Pre-Symposium Tutorial, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM International Center
Data Science & AI Literacy for the Wine Industry
🍇 Judgment of Davis Part I, Ticketed Event, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Sensory Theater, Robert Mondavi Institute
🍇 Judgment of Davis Part II, Ticketed Event, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Sensory Theater, Robert Mondavi Institute
🍇 Opening Reception, 6:00 - 8:30 PM Courtyard, Robert Mondavi Institute
Symposium Sponsors
We welcome organizations interested in supporting the Vine to Mind 2026 symposium and advancing dialogue across the global wine ecosystem. Partnership opportunities are available for those looking to participate in and support this interdisciplinary event. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact melissa_knell@harvard.edu.
