Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish)
January 29, 2026
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish)
Wine has been produced for thousands of years, and the use of technology has significantly improved the quality of both grapes and wine. While computers have accelerated innovation and implementation in our industry, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is unveiling new applications on an almost daily basis. There is no doubt that AI will impact every aspect of grape and wine production, as well as wine sales.
The challenge now is staying updated with the available technologies and choosing the right ones for your needs and budget. To help you navigate this challenge, a select group of professionals from wineries, vineyards, and business operations will share how they are utilizing some of the most advanced technologies to enhance quality. They will provide practical examples of how these technologies were implemented and the results achieved.
The session will conclude with a wine and food pairing.
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Moderator
Eva Bertran
Eva Bertran Consulting, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Descended from generations of wine merchants, I was raised in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia (Spain). Following my family’s tradition, I tasted a drop of Cava within hours of my birth, setting me on my path.
After earning my MBA at ESADE, I moved to Sonoma, California, in 1987 as part of the original team that launched Gloria Ferrer Winery from a trailer in a Los Carneros cow pasture. For over 30 years, I was part of the management team of both Gloria Ferrer Winery and the Ferrer family import company, Freixenet USA, where I launched and grew brands both boutique and high-volume brands from over 25 of the best-known appellations in eight countries, spanning Old and New World.
In 2019, I founded a business consulting company that assists domestic and import wineries and trade associations with strategic planning, business development, and sales plans.
I am a pentaglot (English, Catalan, Spanish, French, and Italian), and my travels have taken me to visit over 50 appellations around the world. There is so much more to discover!
Speakers
Francisco Araujo
Atlas Vineyard Management LLC, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Francisco Araujo was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. After graduating as an agronomist from University of Zulia, Francisco has worked different roles related with viticulture and tropical fruit production, from extension and research to teaching and production. In the mid 80’s, Francisco got his master’s degree in Horticulture from UC Davis. During the last 25 years, Francisco has worked as viticulturist and vineyard manager in the North and Central Coasts of California, Oregon, Washington and Northwestern Mexico. Currently Francisco is the Viticulture Advisor for Atlas Vineyard Management.
Paula Borgo
Artesa Vineyards & Winery, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
To be announced.
Leticia Chacón-Rodríguez
University of California, Davis
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Leticia, a wine professional with more than 20 years of experience in California, and currently the Winemaker and Winery Manager at the University of California, Davis. Previously, Leticia has been at Safe Harbor Wine Storage, Treasury Wine States, E&J Gallo Winery, Golden State Vintners (now Wine Group) and Delicato Family Vineyards.
She is on her third year as co-chair of the Program Development Committee for Unified Wine and Grape Symposium and participates actively on the Spanish Track.
She is an active member for the American Society for Viticulture and Enology (ASEV), a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologist, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production. She is past President (2012-2013) for this Society, and she has served as a Poster Chair for the National Conference, Best Paper Award Committee, and others.
She enjoys her free time with her husband and her two young sons in various activities like cooking, reading, swimming, biking, watching movies, attending symphony orchestra concerts, among others.
MS in Food Sciences (Enology emphasis), UC Davis.
BS in Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, Mexico City.
Luciana Moreno Turkovich
Turkovich Family Wines, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, Luciana Moreno Turkovich is a fourth-generation member of a winemaking family. She studied enology at Don Bosco University in Mendoza, where she developed her deep passion for the world of wine.
After completing her studies, she began her international career in Australia’s renowned McLaren Vale. She later moved to Napa Valley, California, where she worked for four years with the Duncan family at Silver Oak, one of the region’s most respected wineries.
In 2009, Luciana and her husband Chris founded Turkovich Family Wines, a family-run winery located in the Winters Highlands AVA in California. The project reflects a fusion of Argentine winemaking heritage with California innovation and terroir. Making Farm to Glass wine.
In 2021, she launched a consulting company with her father, a renowned sparkling wine consultant. Together, they advise wineries in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe and central wine regions, specializing in the development of high-quality sparkling wines.
Luciana is also the teaching the Sparkling Wine Program at CETYS University in Ensenada, Baja California, where she mentors and trains the next generation of winemakers.
Miguel Pedroza
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Miguel Pedroza is associate professor of enology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (2023) where he teaches winemaking, fermentation, and general education courses related with wine and viticulture. He is interested in how wine aromas are developed in grapes, transformed by winemaking techniques, and evoke emotions in consumers. Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Miguel holds a doctoral and master’s degree in enology from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain (2012) and a food engineering degree from Tec de Monterrey (ITESM, 2006). Prior to Cal Poly, Miguel was assistant professor of enology at Fresno State (2017). He conducted postdoctoral research work in neuroimaging at the CNRS, France and has done research and professional internships in Piacenza (Italy), Jura and Bordeaux (France). Wine judge at national international wine competitions since 2014, Miguel is passionate about tasting, learning, teaching, and traveling for wine.
Gaspar Roby
Terlato Wine Group, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
Originally from Argentina, Gaspar Roby has over 25 years of experience in the wine industry across Latin America and California. With an Agricultural Engineering degree and graduate studies at UC Davis, he specializes in winemaking, vineyard management, and supply chain operations.
As Vice President of Supply for Terlato Wine Group, Gaspar oversees production for renowned wineries like Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hill, and Sanford & Benedict, ensuring exceptional quality and efficiency in wine production. His expertise and commitment to excellence make him a respected leader in industry.
Carolina Vargas
Shannon Family of Wines, California
Sessions:
Tradition with Innovation to Drive Excellence (Presented in Spanish), Tradición e Innovación para Impulsar la Excelencia (Presentada en español)
To be announced.