THE CRADLE OF WINE CIVILIZATION : An Exploration of Ancient Wines and Their Evolution
The First Event of Its Kind Comes to San Francisco Wine School March 13th
South San Francisco, California – The history of wine, while inextricably linked to today’s exponentially-growing wine industry, is often overlooked by professionals, enthusiasts and scientists alike. The earliest grape wine in the world was discovered by Dr. Patrick McGovern and colleagues in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, ca. 5400 B.C. (early Neolithic period). Since then, Vitis vinifera and wine have evolved, spread throughout the world, and become integral to many cultures’ medicines, religious practices, and social activities.
On Sunday, March 13th from 10am to 5:30pm, San Francisco Wine School will open the doors of its new Wine Education Center for the first of its kind event exploring these ancient wines and their modern expressions with The Cradle of Wine Civilization.
Join noted academics and industry experts on a day of discovery and intrigue as you traverse the history of ancient wines and their evolution to modern expressions, tasting examples from the Caucasus and Eastern Mediterranean regions. This ground-breaking event will merge the academic and commercial aspects of wine, explore the ancient and modern styles from where wine originated, and its place in today’s society.
San Francisco Wine School’s author of Inside Interviews, David Furer, will host a full day of activities with some of the foremost authorities on ancient wines starting with a keynote address by the world’s most acclaimed archaeologist of fermented beverages, Dr. Patrick McGovern. He will bring us up-to-date on the most recent scientific developments. Says McGovern:
“This gathering will be the first time in the U.S. that wine lovers will have the opportunity to tap into the tastes and rich history of where it all began.”
The day will also include an address by Stanford University’s Dr. Patrick Hunt on the Civilization of Wine from the Phoenicians to the Egyptians and Canaanites and panel discussions with guided tastings on the Caucasus’ Georgia and Armenia and the Eastern Mediterranean’s Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Turkey, exploring the impact of history on modern day wines. Topics will include the civilization of wine, indigenous and modern grape varieties, ancient and modern production styles, how this evolution has influenced contemporary restaurants and other retail businesses, and impacted consumer preferences.
Full day attendees will also enjoy a multi-ethnic luncheon with the speakers, panelists and modern wines from these regions.
Following the day’s seminars, a Grand Tasting of modern wines from these countries along with book signings by Professors McGovern and Hunt will be held from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
After the Grand Tasting, guests are invited to a very special happy hour downstairs at Armstrong Brewing Company where, along with their fabulous standards, they’re brewing up some special ancient recipes.
SPEAKERS
Dr. Patrick McGovern – Scientific Director of the Biomolecular Archaeology Project for Cuisine, Fermented Beverages, and Health; University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia
Dr. Patrick Hunt –Stanford University Professor, Archeologist, Author
Wes Hagen – Winemaker, Viticulturist, Wine Educator, TED Talk Stage Nominee (History of Wine)
PANELISTS
Alberto Antonini – Winemaker Zorah Winery, Armenia & Enologist Gruppo Matura
Jeff Berlin – Wine Director, À Côté, Oakland
Bartholomew Broadbent – Importer Chateau Musar, Lebanon
Darrell Corti – Proprietor, Corti Bros.
Lisa Granik, MW – Georgia Wine Agency
Zorik Gharibian – Founder Zorah Winery, Armenia
Daniel O’Donnell – Winemaker Kayra Winery, Turkey
AGENDA
10:00 Welcome: Master Sommelier David Glancy
Program Overview: Author David Furer
10:15 Keynote Address: The Archaeological And Chemical Hunt For The Origins Of Viniculture: Past, Present, and Future by Dr. Patrick McGovern
11:15 Caucasus Panel Discussion and Guided Tasting — Lisa Granik MW, Zorik Gharibian, Alberto Antonini, Jeff Berlin, and others tba; moderated by David Furer
12:15 Multi-ethnic Luncheon with Speakers and Panelists, welcoming address by Wes Hagen
1:45 The Civilization of Wine from the Phoenicians to the Egyptians & Canaanites by Dr. Patrick Hunt
2:15 Eastern Mediterranean Panel Discussion and Guided Tasting – Bartholomew Broadbent, Daniel O’Donnell, Darrell Corti, and others tba; moderated by David Furer
3:30 Grand Tasting: Wines of Armenia, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey
5:30 Happy Hour: Ancient Brews @ Armstrong Brewing Company
EVENT DETAILS
Sunday, March 13th, 2016
Full Day Event: 10:00am – 5:30pm
Grand Tasting: 3:30 – 5:30pm
Happy Hour: 5:30-7:30
San Francisco Wine School
415 Grand Ave. Suite 301
South San Francisco, CA 94080
650-763-1324
www.sfwineschool.com
TICKETING
Full Day Passes (10am-5:30pm) – $175 includes all Speaker & Panel Sessions, Luncheon, Grand Tasting, & Happy Hour
Grand Tasting Tickets (3:30pm-5:30pm) – $45 includes Grand Tasting & Happy Hour
Discounts available for qualified trade. Email help@sfwineschool.com for more information.
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO WINE SCHOOL
San Francisco Wine School strives to open up the world of wine to serious students and enthusiasts everywhere while helping people of all levels break into the wine industry, advance their career, or simply pursue their passions. Founded by Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator David Glancy, San Francisco Wine School is the largest wine school in the U.S., offering the most thoughtful approach to wine study. Their inspired educational programs and workshops are taught in their state of the art wine education center and their cutting edge virtual classroom by industry-leading instructors from all major educational disciplines. San Francisco Wine School’s curriculum features the best content in the business: expert course materials, carefully conceived wine flights, and in-depth blind tasting exercises designed to engage students, illuminate course content and enhance learning. Their brand new sunlight-filled wine education center is conveniently located just 5 minutes from San Francisco International Airport and boasts 16-ft high coved ceilings, eight 12-ft tall arched windows, and gorgeous 180 degree views of the San Bruno Mountains, South San Francisco City Hall and the San Francisco Bay, making it the perfect place to enjoy classes, industry seminars and tastings and host a wide variety of private events.
