MAY 26, 1:00-2:30pm EDT

How is climate change affecting the production of sparkling wine in the Penedès, the fortified wine in Jerez and the still wines of Rías Baixas? Spain is an incredible resource when seeking solutions to adapt and mitigate climate change. Join Marc Picón Malivern, Export Manager at Sumarroca, Mr. César Saldaña, President of the Regulating Council of the Denominations of Origin of Jerez-Xérèz-Sherry and Vicky Mareque, General Manager at Pazo de Señorans to learn how those regions are evolving.

SPEAKERS

Mr. César Saldaña, President of the Regulating Council of the Denominations of Origin of Jerez-Xérèz-Sherry, Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Vinagre de Jerez.

It is here where, when Director General, he created the Sherry Educators certification program. César is also the Director General for the Regulating Council of the DO Brandy de Jerez as well as presiding over the Route of Wine and Brandy of the Jerez region in addition to the Andalusian Confederation of Denominations of Origin. And, most recently, he has published his own book: El libro de los vinos de Jerez: Guía para comprender unos vinos únicos .

Born in Jerez de la Frontera, the place where Sherry wines were born, César Saldaña started his work in his native town in 1985 after having worked in Madrid as a consultant. His first job was as Export Manager at González Byass and then at The House of Sandeman as Commercial Director with responsibilities in the marketing and sales of both the Sherry and Port interests of the company.

Marc Picón Malivern, Export Manager at Sumarroca

Marc Picoón was born in 1981 in Vilafranca del Penedes, a small village close to Barcelona in Spain.

Since he was a child he has been surrounded by the grapes and wine atmosphere. His mother, Lidia, was one of the first female wine makers in the region and transmitted all her knowledge and passion to her son.

After obtaining his degree in Economics at the Politecnic University of Catalonia, he met a marketing wine Guru, called Michel Bourqui, who offered Marc the possibility of being part of a really special masters degree- the OIV masters degree in wine management. Marc travelled for 18 month around the world, just to visit the best wine regions on the earth. In total- 23 countries and more than 600 wineries.

After 15 days in Champagne, Marc decided to come back home for a week. It was during this week when he met the family Sumarroca. That day Marc invited his father to lunch and he chose of Sumarroca cavas Nuria Claverol, one of the most interesting wines produced by Sumarroca. He was really impressed with the quality and style and he started to talk about it. Just behind, one of the members of the Family was listening to the comments Marc was saying about the wine. After some minutes, introduced himself as one of the owners and invited him to visit the winery. Ten years later, he is the export manager of the winery.

Vicky Mareque Bueno, General Manager at at Pazo de Señorans, Rías Baixas

Before taking on the position of General Manager at the spectacular estate of Pazo de Señorans, Vicky Mareque Bueno studied business, completed her MBA and later worked as a buyer for a large grocery retailer. However, the world of wine awaited as she began to follow in her mother’s footstep just over 15 years ago. Though she has studied viticulture and vinification, most of her wine training has come from working with the team at the family Estate.

To differentiate themselves from other Albariño producing wineries in the region, Pazo de Señorans is eager to show the world the ageing potential of the grape. The winery has experimented with single vineyards, producing wines that can be kept on their lees for up to 30 months and in the bottle for an additional year before being released. Showing what their beloved Albariño can produce, Vicky continues proudly the pioneering work of her family while still making their delicious spirit distilled at the bodega in wood-fired copper stills.