SPEAKERS
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
OPENING CONFERENCE | Wine production in a constant changing world
Jean Lemire, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Nordic and Arctic Affairs, Government of Québec
Biography
A biologist by training, Jean Lemire is an environmental specialist and renowned science communicator. He was appointed Special Envoy for Climate Change, Nordic and Arctic Affairs by the Government of Québec in September 2017, thus becoming the first envoy in the history of Québec diplomacy. In this capacity, he develops international partnerships and represents the Government of Québec at various multilateral conventions and forums, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Arctic Council, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance and the United Nations Environment Programme’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. As part of his responsibilities, Jean Lemire acts as:
Representative and spokesperson for subnational governments at the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Ambassador for the SAGA project on food security and climate change of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);
President of the Advisory Board of the International Climate Cooperation Program (ICCP), winner of the United Nations Global Climate Action Award;
Coordinator of the Government of Québec’s International Environmental Team.
His work on climate change and biodiversity has led to major international scientific missions. His films, books and web creations have garnered numerous awards. Among his distinctions, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, has received two honorary doctorates (oceanography-UQAR and geography-UQAM) and holds the title of Grand Ambassador of the Université de Sherbrooke. In 2010, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon appointed him UN Green Wave Ambassador for biodiversity. He is also the first recipient of the prestigious Midori Prize for Biodiversity.
Jerôme Dupras PhD, Ecologist and Researcher, CEO of Habitat Nature
Biography
Jérôme Dupras is a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Quebec in Outaouais. He is the founder of the Applied Research Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (CRABE) and holds the Canada Research Chair in Ecological Economics as well as the UNESCO Chair in Socio-Economic Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystems. With a PhD in Geography and a postdoctoral degree in Biology, he specializes in land-use planning and environmental protection. In the Francophone music scene, he is also known as a member of the band Les Cowboys Fringants.
CONFERENCE | Vines and grape variety: a perpetual evolution, from yesterday to tomorrow
Marc-André Selosse PhD, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris
Biography
Marc-André SELOSSE, born March 29th 1968, is professor at Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris) and at Gdansk University (Poland), where he leads research teams. He has taught at Universities of Viçosa (Brazil) and Kunming (China), and teaches at Ecole Normale Supérieure, Science Po and Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC). His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of mycorrhizas, a major symbiosis between soil fungi and roots of most land plants. He also has a general interest for symbiosis and its evolution. He was head of the French Botanical Society for ten years and is now president of the Fédération BioGée, member of the French Academy of Agriculture and of the Institut Universitaire de France. He is an editor of three international scientific journals: New Phytologist, Ecology Letters and Symbiosis. He published more than 230 scientific papers and 330 outreach papers as well as popular science books in French on microbiota (Jamais seul, 2017), tannins (Les goûts et les couleurs du monde, 2019), soils (L’origine du Monde, 2021), and the place of humans in nature (Nature et Préjugés, 2024).
CONFERENCE | Building Resilience
Rosa Kruger, Founder and chairperson of the Old Vine Project, 2022 Decanter Hall of Fame winner
Biography
Rosa Kruger has been involved in the design, development and management of new vineyards for wine for the last 28 years. The designs are aimed at dealing with climate change in viticulture in the best possible way. She is also the founding member of the Old Vine Project of South Africa. She has established a short course where she and her team annually teaches vineyard workers to preserve and prune old vines to build their energy and strength. They also teach the basics of viticulture specifically for vineyard workers at a winter school.
PANEL | Regenerative viticulture – Building a sustainable future
Isabel Gassier, Regenerative Farmer & Winemaker – Famille Gassier
Biography
Graduating as an oenological engineer from Changins (Switzerland) in 2016, Isabel Gassier began her career with Philippe Cambie in Châteauneuf-du-Pape before continuing her training in California, first at Bedrock and then with Phil Coturri, a pioneer of regenerative viticulture. Inspired by these experiences, she encouraged her father—already committed to organic farming—to go further. Returning in 2022, she spearheaded the regenerative transition of the family estates, Château de Nages and Domaine Gassier, strengthening soil fertility and vineyard resilience in the face of climate change. Under her leadership, they became in 2023 the first vineyards in France certified in regenerative agriculture.
Fanny Courtial, Sales and Marketing Manager at Château de l'Éclair
Biography
Château de l'Éclair, located in Porte des Pierres Dorées (Rhône), is a 20-hectare estate dedicated to viticultural innovation in Beaujolais. A true pilot site, it is run by SICAREX Beaujolais and the IFV (French Vine and Wine Institute), which conduct applied research there to support the industry in its technical, environmental, and economic transitions.
My mission is to promote this unique research and innovation site, but also to build relationships between a passionate team, stakeholders in the wine industry, and consumers—lovers of Beaujolais wines.
Becky Sykes, Programme Director at the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation
Biography
Becky is Programme Director at the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, a UK-based charity on a mission to transition the world's vineyards to regenerative agriculture. With responsibility for Research, Education and Engagement, her role is to develop the resources and community network needed to support and connect producers, wherever they are on their regenerative journey. She also engages with researchers to further the evidence base for regen, with viticultural colleges to get them to teach regen to the next generation of grape farmers, and with wine educators to spread awareness and understanding of the benefits of regenerative viticulture.
Becky's passion for regenerative viticulture was sparked during her MSc in Viticulture & Oenology. This role benefits from the stakeholder engagement expertise gained in her previous career as a Public Affairs PR consultant. She rather randomly has a degree in Aerospace Engineering and has hitchhiked across the Sahara desert, twice.
PANEL | Water Management – Every Drop Counts
Kosta Bakasietas, agronomist nurseryman
Biography
Agronomist specialized in viticulture and ampelography, Kosta Bakasietas focuses on the identification, preservation, evaluation, and promotion of grapevine varieties and clones in the Southeastern Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on innovation and the creation of sustainable vineyards. He holds a degree in Crop Science from the Agricultural University of Athens, with a specialization in viticulture and arboriculture (1998–2004), and went on to complete a Master’s in Viticulture and Oenology at SupAgro Montpellier and ENITA Bordeaux (2005–2007). Kosta has also published several research articles in the field of viticulture and ampelography.
PANEL | North American Frontiers – Emerging Wine Regions
Gabriel Demarco, Winemaker & Viticulturist Cave Spring Vineyard
Biography
Gabriel Demarco (B.A., Hon. B.Sc.) is a graduate with honours from the Oenology and Viticulture Institute (OEVI) at Brock University, in the heart of Canada’s Niagara Peninsula. Born in 1980 in London, Ontario, he initially studied theatre arts and history while serving in the Canadian Naval Reserve. His passion for wine emerged while working in Toronto’s culinary scene, leading him to earn the WSET Advanced Wine Certificate and join the Oliver & Bonacini group.
In 2009, Gabriel began his studies in oenology at Brock University and interned at Cave Spring Vineyard with founder Angelo Pavan. Graduating in 2013, he quickly progressed to Assistant Winemaker in 2014, and in 2018 became Winemaker and Viticulturist, overseeing all aspects of viticulture and winemaking with a focus on refining Cave Spring’s distinctive style and advancing sustainability.
Gabriel is also active in the development of Ontario’s wine industry, serving as Chair of the Vintners Quality Alliance of Ontario’s Standards Technical Committee.
Vincent Laniel, Winemaker and co-owner of the vineyard Très-Précieux-Sang in Bécancour
Biography
Vincent Laniel entered the world of wine in 2018 by launching a weekly newsletter dedicated to natural wines, titled “Qu’est-ce qu’on boit ?” (What Are We Drinking?). The rapid success of this publication led him to write Supernaturel: Immersion in the World of Natural Wine and to participate in a documentary series of the same name. Alongside his work as a columnist, he was a sommelier at Restaurant Candide in Montreal from 2019 to 2025. Since 2021, he has been particularly distinguished as a winemaker and co-owner of the vineyard Très-Précieux-Sang in Bécancour.
New York Wines (speaker tba)
Biography
Coming soon