• October 27 2025
• Category: Press Releases

SACRAMENTO, Calif., October 27, 2025 – The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium will tackle one of the industry’s most pressing topics: wine and health. Dr. Laura Catena, physician and fourth-generation vintner, and internationally acclaimed wine journalist Felicity Carter will deliver the 2026 keynote, Wine and Health: Separating Science from Spin on Tuesday, January 27.

This straight-talk session cuts through the noise that’s leaving wine professionals scrambling for answers. With U.S. Dietary Guidelines under scrutiny and consumer perception shifting, Carter will moderate a dialogue with Dr. Catena to address what the science actually reveals and how the industry can communicate responsibly.

Why This Matters Now

• Regulatory uncertainty creates market volatility
• Mixed health messaging confuses consumers and impacts sales
• The industry needs evidence-based strategies, not speculation
• Global markets are watching U.S. wine and health policy

“Through the headlines and guideline swings, there’s been a lot of noise,” said Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Unified Symposium LLC Managing Committee member. “This session will bring clarity to the science and regulatory landscape and equip growers and wineries with practical tools to communicate responsibly about wine.”

Dr. Catena brings a rare dual perspective as both a physician who practiced Emergency Medicine in California for 27 years and managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina. Her medical background provides crucial insight into how health research is conducted, interpreted and often misrepresented in policy discussions.

Carter, founder of Drinks Insider, has spent years investigating the intersection of wine, health policy, and international trade. Her reporting has exposed the gap between scientific evidence and public perception.

“What I’ve found in covering wine and health is a persistent gap between what the science actually says, what public health lobbyists emphasize, and what consumers believe,” said Carter. “This discussion is about laying those differences out clearly so the industry understands the landscape it’s operating in.”

Dr. Catena added: “As a physician, I see how easily health studies get misinterpreted in policy debates. As a vintner, I understand the frustration when your livelihood depends on an industry constantly defending itself against oversimplified narratives. We need to equip wine professionals with the knowledge to speak confidently about what we know, what we don’t know, and why that distinction matters.”

What Attendees Will Gain

• Clear understanding of current health research and its limitations
• Strategies for communicating with consumers without legal or ethical missteps
• Insights into how health policy is shaped and where industry can engage

The Keynote Luncheon is priced separately and includes a plated lunch and wine. Registration for the Unified Symposium is now open at www.unifiedsymposium.org/register.

The 2026 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium will be held January 27-29, with exhibits open January 28 & 29, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, California.

For more than 30 years, Unified has served as a clearinghouse of information for wine and grape industry professionals and hosts the industry’s largest trade show, featuring more than 650 exhibitors and 800+ booths. For more information, visit www.unifiedsymposium.org.