45th Annual New Mexico Wine Education Conference

February 27, 2026 – February 28, 2026

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

The New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association and New Mexico State University are proud to co-present the 2026 Wine Education Conference, to be held on the NMSU campus in Las Cruces on February 27–28. This conference and expo offer an exceptional opportunity for local growers, winemakers, and students to connect and learn from industry experts, researchers, and leading businesses across the wine trade. Just as importantly, it is a chance to gather friends and colleagues to share our wines while enjoying good food and meaningful conversation.

Our return to New Mexico State University reflects a growing alliance, and a deepening reliance, on the educational institutions that support our industry statewide. With the arrival of Geraldine Diverres and Donald Caldwell in Plant Sciences, and Gonzalo Cruzado in Food Science, NMSU is poised to become a hub for ongoing research and development, helping guide New Mexico’s winemakers toward a vibrant and sustainable future.

We are especially grateful to Geraldine and Donald for their thoughtful leadership in organizing the education program. The caliber of our speakers and the breadth of topics promise an outstanding experience. Afternoon seminars will feature guided tastings led by our guest speakers, pairing expert insight with exemplary wines from their own portfolios. Please review our 2026 agenda for a schedule of speakers and topics. 

Conference registration includes access to all seminars and tasting sessions, daily breakfast, and two wine receptions. Full conference registration is $175 for members of New Mexico Wine, with discounts for amateurs and students. 

Agenda

Thursday, February 26
5:00 PM – 6:30 PMWelcome Reception Rio Grande Winery
Friday, February 27
7:30 AM – 8:30 AMCoffee & Registration
8:30 AM – 9:30 AMNew Mexico Wine Annual Meeting
Wine Studio, Legislation, Events & More
SessionViticultureEnology
9:30 AM – 10:00 AMLeslie Beck
Weed management strategies for NM vineyards
NMSU Facutly Report 1
CESFAS + HRTM
10:15 AM – 10:45 AMJoanie King
Leafhopper and Grapevine Leaf Skeletonizer management
NM Tourism & NM Agriculture
Grants, Workshops, State Fair
11:00 AM – 11:45 AMMiguel Damasio
Drought stress, heat stress and vineyard management to increase water use efficiency
Paul Brock
A retrospective on the value that FLCC has had on the FLX wine industry
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMLunch with Vendors
1:00 PM – 1:45 PMCharlotte Olivier
FRAC groups, avoiding resistance, and PM program design
Gonzalo Miyagusuku
Projects and added-value research for NM wineries
2:00 PM – 2:45 PMPierre Davadant
Nutrition management in vineyards, Urea foliar spray applications
David Rodríguez
Strategies to position your wines in the market, alternative revenue streams
2:45 PM – 3:15 PMNetworking and Vendor Break
3:15 PM – 4:00 PMCristina Lazcano
Regenerative agriculture practices
Diana Celaya Trentori
CEVIT-CETYS. Joint research initiatives, student exchange and internship opportunities.
4:15 PM – 5:00 PMMark Battany
Vineyard floor management in water limited regions
Gabriel Crowell
Sparkling wine production challenges, protocols, and vineyard-winery management considerations in arid climates 
Saturday, February 28
7:30 AM – 9:00 AMBreakfast & Registration
SessionViticultureEnology
8:30 AM – 9:15 AMDave Combs
Bio-fungicides and Scouting strategies for vineyards
Benny Ricardi
Alternative winemaking, grapes, and marketing
9:15 AM – 10:00 AMMatt Halldorson
Sour rot management and considerations for southwest vineyards.
Kris Fade
Strategies to position your wines in the market, alternative revenue streams
10:00 AM – 10:45 AMKate Payne Brown
Sparkling wine production challenges
10:45 AM – 11:15 AMVendor break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PMGeraldine Diverres & Donald Caldwell
One year in NM. Research updates, future directions
12:00 PM – 12:45 PMGill Giese
Confessions of a New Mexico viticulturist
1:00 PMConference Adjourns