Keynote Speaker Luncheon
January 28, 2025
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Keynote Speaker Luncheon
Welcome & Introductions
Natalie Collins, President, California Association of Winegrape Growers
Keynote Speaker Luncheon
The Unified Wine and Grape Symposium is proud to welcome Alecia Moore, winemaker and founder of Two Wolves Wine, as the keynote luncheon speaker to kick off the 2025 show on Tuesday, January 28. Known globally for her multifaceted career, Moore will bring her passion for grape growing and winemaking to center stage in a live, talk-show-style interview with Ray Isle, author and Executive Wine Editor at Food & Wine. This engaging discussion will explore Moore’s journey that led her to wine, and the passion that fuels her unique approach to her brand.
“This keynote continues the Symposium’s tradition of bringing diverse and influential voices to the wine community, aiming to inspire attendees with new ways of thinking,” said Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Unified Symposium LLC Managing Committee member. “In a time marked by industry challenges, a fresh perspective and renewed inspiration can help us see new possibilities—and Moore’s story promises to do just that.”
After immersing herself in winemaking courses and visiting various wine regions, Moore took a bold step in 2013 by purchasing a vineyard in Santa Barbara County, California’s Central Coast. This pivotal moment marked the birth of Two Wolves Wine. For the past decade, she has overseen the entire winemaking process, from cultivating organic grapes to handcrafting small-batch wines. Each bottle produced embodies her dedication to quality, her profound respect for nature, and a bold expressive character, reminiscent of her own creative spirit.
As executive wine editor at Food & Wine and wine and spirits editor for Travel + Leisure, Ray Isle brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for the industry, which he will draw upon while leading an engaging conversation with Moore. Known for his popular Food & Wine column, “Bottle Service,” Isle has been nominated three times for the James Beard Award in beverage writing and is a four-time IACP Award winner for Narrative Beverage Writing. He is also the author of the recently published book, The World in a Wineglass: The Insiders’ Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now.
The Tuesday Keynote Luncheon is priced separately and includes a plated lunch and wine.
Registration for the Keynote Luncheon is limited to current members of ASEV, CAWG and Exhibitors. The Keynote Luncheon may only be added to the 3-Day General Registration, 1-Day General Registration or to Exhibitor Registration.
Share This Page
Moderator
Ray Isle
Organization:
Food & Wine, New York
Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor of Travel + Leisure. He writes Food & Wine’s monthly “Bottle Service” column, and oversees wine content for both brands as well as contributing regular print and online features about wine, spirits, and wine-related travel. His articles about wine, beer, food and spirits have appeared in a wide range of national publications, as well as in Best American Food Writing. He has won the IACP Award for Narrative Beverage Writing four times, has won the gold award from the North American Travel Journalists Association, and has been nominated three times for the James Beard Award in beverage writing. He speaks regularly on wine at events around the country and is a frequent guest on national media, appearing on programs such as NBC’s Today show, CNBC’s Squawk Box, CBS Mornings, American Public Media’s “Splendid Table,” and others. His book The World in a Wineglass was published in 2023 by Scribner/Simon & Schuster. Follow his wine exploits on Instagram @rayisle.
Speakers
Alecia Moore
Organization:
Two Wolves Wine, California
Alecia Moore, founder of Two Wolves Wine, is a vintner whose journey in winemaking stems from a deep-rooted appreciation for Mother Nature, the cycles of the seasons, and the art of grape growing. A self-proclaimed truth seeker, and curious lover of all things wine, Moore embarked on this venture driven by a desire to create wines that mirror her ethos: authenticity, grit, and passion.
In 2013, Alecia purchased a vineyard in Santa Barbara County, on California’s Central Coast, marking the birth of Two Wolves Wine. Two Wolves is not just another brand; it’s a labor of love that reflects Alecia’s very hands-on approach to life.
She personally oversees the entire winemaking process, from pruning and cultivating organic grapes to handcrafting small-batch wines. Each bottle embodies her dedication to quality, a profound respect for nature, and a bold, expressive character reminiscent of her own creative spirit.
Two Wolves specializes in limited-release wines, including Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Syrah, each showcasing the unique terroir of the Santa Ynez region. Her mission is to create wines that inspire connection, celebrate the beauty of simplicity, while inviting wine lovers and new wine drinkers alike to savor every sip as a genuine expression of place and purpose.
Alecia Moore has quickly established herself as a force in the wine world, proving that her talent extends to the land.