(Wines&Vines)  - On March 9 and 10, the Eastern Winery Exposition (EWE) will return to the Convention Center in downtown Lancaster. Bob Mignarri, EWE’s organizer, told Wines & Vines, “Advance registration is the best it’s ever been, for this many weeks before the conference.” He attributed the surge in registrations in part to the fact that last year’s EWE was held in Syracuse, N.Y., and attracted wine industry professionals new to the event. The conference is also drawing many attendees from Virginia wineries, and Mignarri noted that there are a number of speakers on the program from the state.

According to Mignarri, EWE is designed to provide relevant grapegrowing and winemaking information to eastern U.S. and Canadian wineries and vineyards, and the conference “offers a full program for wineries and vineyards.” EWE also features networking events and a large winery and vineyard trade show. 

The 2016 conference will begin with two daylong workshops on March 8. Lucie Morton, a well-known Virginia viticulturist, and Ernest “Bubba” Beasley, a geologist with HydroGeo Environmental in Charlottesville, Va., will kick off the workshop entitled “Is There a Relationship between Soils and Fine Wines? Find Out Before You Plant Your Vineyard!” with a discussion about the latest techniques to evaluate vineyard sites before they are planted—especially in the context of soils in the Mid-Atlantic region. Alex Blackburn, soil scientist with Blackburn Consulting Services in Berryville, Va., will discuss the geomorphology and soil and site characteristics that impact vineyards and quality grapes; Ryan Reed, also a soil scientist with Blackburn Consulting, will talk about the impact of mineralogy and soil chemistry on fruit quality. Thomas Bachelder, who makes wine in Burgundy (France), Oregon and Ontario (Canada), will review terroir in France, the relationship between Burgundian soils and wine quality. He also will be bringing some wines for workshop participants to taste at his session.

During the second workshop, “Planning for Success at Your Winery,” participants will have the opportunity to hear from experienced winery owners about their personal challenges, mistakes and successes. Speakers will include Jerry Forest from Buckingham Valley Vineyards of Pennsylvania, Peter Oldak from Jewell Towne Vineyards of New Hampshire, and Brian Roeder from Barrel Oak Winery in Virginia, who will discuss business plans, raising capital before opening, and marketing planning. Victor Landis from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection will review wastewater regulations in Pennsylvania, and Kathy Kelley, professor of horticultural marketing and business management at Pennsylvania State University, will lead a session about increasing tasting room visits through social media.