February 27, 2026 – February 28, 2026

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 PM | Welcome Reception Rio Grande Winery | |
| Friday, February 27 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Coffee & Registration | |
| 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | New Mexico Wine Annual Meeting Wine Studio, Legislation, Events & More | |
| Session | Viticulture | Enology |
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Leslie Beck Weed management strategies for NM vineyards | NMSU Facutly Report 1 CESFAS + HRTM |
| 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Joanie King Leafhopper and Grapevine Leaf Skeletonizer management | NM Tourism & NM Agriculture Grants, Workshops, State Fair |
| 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Miguel 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 PM | Lunch with Vendors | |
| 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Charlotte Olivier FRAC groups, avoiding resistance, and PM program design | Gonzalo Miyagusuku Projects and added-value research for NM wineries |
| 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Pierre 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 PM | Networking and Vendor Break | |
| 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Cristina Lazcano Regenerative agriculture practices | Diana Celaya Trentori CEVIT-CETYS. Joint research initiatives, student exchange and internship opportunities. |
| 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM | Mark 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 AM | Breakfast & Registration | |
| Session | Viticulture | Enology |
| 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM | Dave Combs Bio-fungicides and Scouting strategies for vineyards | Benny Ricardi Alternative winemaking, grapes, and marketing |
| 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM | Matt 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 AM | Kate Payne Brown Sparkling wine production challenges | |
| 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Vendor break | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Geraldine Diverres & Donald Caldwell One year in NM. Research updates, future directions | |
| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Gill Giese Confessions of a New Mexico viticulturist | |
| 1:00 PM | Conference Adjourns | |

