The health benefits of moderate wine consumption have been touted for years. But farmers are still uncertain what effect that will have on the health of California's wine grape industry.

To review the current and future outlook for wine grape demand, supply, pricing and trade, the University of California Agricultural Issues Center will hold a workshop Friday, July 24, in Sacramento.

"Wine grape prices have risen about 8 percent per year for the last decade," said Dale Heien, a UC Davis expert in wine demand and pricing, and a speaker at the program. "Demand for wine has grown, but continued price performance depends on the extent to which the economy continues to prosper and the ultimate impact of wine on health."

Others to speak at the wine grape industry workshop are:

• Barry Bedwell, president of Allied Grape Growers
• Vaughn Koligian, president of the Raisin Bargaining Association
• George Schofield, a wine industry consultant in St. Helena
• Eric Sims, Motto, Kryla, & Fisher, a key analyst on a recent study on grape trends
• Robert Smiley, dean of the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis
• Bill Turrentine, Turrentine Wine Brokerage, San Mateo

Ag Issues Center Director Dan Sumner, a UC Davis ag economist, will moderate the panel.

The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento at Capitol Park, 1209 L Street, Sacramento. Lunch is included in the $30 registration fee. Advance registration is required. Hotel room reservations may be made by calling the Hyatt at (916) 443-1234.

For information or to register, call Laurie Treacher at the Ag Isssues Center, (530) 752-2320, e-mail: agissues@ucdavis.edu, FAX (530) 752-5451, or mail: Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616.

Jeannette Warnert
Public Information Representative
UC Regional Office
550 E. Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710