SPEAKERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
CONFERENCE | Understanding Consumer Perceptions of Climate Change
Nathalie Spielman PhD, Marketing Professor, NEOMA Business School
Biography
Originally from Montréal, Dr. Spielmann has been Professor of Marketing at NEOMA Business School, located in Reims, France since 2009. She is the creator and director of the innovative MSc Wine & Gastronomy program at the school and teaches at the Masters, MBA, and Executive MBA levels.
Dr. Spielmann’s main research foci are traceability and sustainability. Specifically, she unravels how consumers perceive products that claim an origin as well as looking at how firms that produce these types of products interact. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Spielmann has published over 50 articles in top-tier journals on these and other topics such as advertising, sensory marketing, branding, and consumer psychology.
In tandem to her research, Dr. Spielmann provides consulting services for territories and brands looking to harness the power of terroir, consumer psychology, and collective strategies. She also presents her research at invited talks around the world to winemakers, chefs, and tourism professionals.
Being an impact-driven researcher, Dr. Spielmann also engages in entrepreneurial ventures. The latest being a Champagne bar-shop in the heart of the Mountain of Reims. Finally, passionate about wine, she is currently a Master of Wine candidate, holds the WSET Diploma, is a French Wine Scholar and an Italian Wine Ambassador, and a certified Sherry educator.
PANEL | Buying Power – The Role of Wine Buyers in a Changing Climate
Ines Castillo, Assistant Director of Strategy and Merchandising, SAQ
Biography
Ines Castillo is a seasoned merchandising and strategy professional with over 18 years of experience at the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ). Currently serving as Assistant Director of Strategy and Merchandising, she is responsible for developing merchandising strategies that improve product visibility, optimize assortment, and enrich the customer journey. Her approach ensures that strategic decisions are both data-driven and customer-focused, consistently aligned with the SAQ’s long-term vision.
In recent years, Ines has worked closely with suppliers and various teams at the SAQ to implement strategies aimed at reducing the overall carbon footprint of alcoholic beverages.
Dr. Laura Catena, Catena Zapata Managing Director, Owner of Luca Wines, Founder of Catena Institute of Wine
Biography
Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, and writer. Born in Mendoza, Argentina, Catena obtained a B.S. degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Harvard University and a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford. She is currently Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata and of her own Luca Winery. For more than 27 years, she was a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. In addition, she is the founder of the Catena Institute of Wine, which is dedicated to preserving Malbec and elevating Argentine wine since 1995.
Throughout her career, Catena has received numerous distinctions, including the 2022 Woman of the Year Award, presented by The Drinks Business magazine. In March 2023, she was named “Old Vine Hero” by The Old Vine Conference and received the Meininger “Outstanding Achievement Award”. Under her management, Catena Zapata received Argentina’s 2017 “Extraordinary Winery Award” from Robert Parker Wine Advocate and Michelin Guide NY, and the family’s Adrianna Vineyard was awarded twelve 100-point scores from some of the world’s most influential wine critics. On July 12th, 2023, Catena Zapata was voted number one in the world at the World’s Best Vineyards award ceremony for over 125 VIPs held in La Rioja, Spain. In 2025, Dr. Catena led her family winery to be voted #1 Most Admired Wine Brand by Drinks International, and the Catena Institute of Wine was awarded the V d’Or in Sustainability from Vinexposium.
Laura is on the Executive Leadership Board of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology and WSET Honorary President 2023-2026.
In 2024 Dr. Catena created www.indefenseofwine.com, an online resource for credible, science-based information on health effects of light to moderate alcohol consumption.
Over the last year, Dr. Catena has written extensively and spoken internationally about wine and health, including at the Lifestyle, Diet, Wine Health Symposium in Rome (2025), at ASEV (American Society of Enology and Viticulture), at Wholesalers of America as Keynote speaker, and upcoming at Académie Internationale du Vin among others.
Michele Manelli, Equalitas Vice President and Salcheto Founder and CEO
Biography
Michele Manelli was born in Sassuolo (northern Italy, close to Modena), raised in Paris and is living in Tuscany since more than twenty years. As a vintner in Montepulciano, he founded and developed Salcheto, a wine producing operation, as a model of sustainable efficiency, firmly convinced that businesses in general are the key actors for a new social progress.
Over the last decade he has been directly engaged in promoting projects of research, development and wine value-chain lobbying oriented to sustainability, such as the “Charter of Montepulciano for the Wine Carbon Footprint” (2010) or the “Forum for Wine Sustainability (2013-2015), for which he acted as co-founder and author of the “2014 Report on Sustainability” (www.vinossotenibile.org). His engagement pursued with a significant contribution the founding of Equalitas in 2016 of which he is now Vice President. Equalitas is a company controlled by the Italian Federation of Wine Consortiums (FederDoc), which was born to promote sustainable business models along the wine industry and diffuse its culture in the wine world markets.
Marcus Ihre, Sustainability manager at Systembolaget, Sweden
Biography
Marcus Ihre has a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the early 1990:s, complemented by post studies in International Marketing and Trade. After university he has been working for various private and public organizations, with focus on sustainability from the start. Among other things he has been involved in research of substitutes to freons, ecolabelling, plastic collection and recycling, development of international sustainability standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 26000. At Systembolaget Marcus focuses on the environmental impact and performance in the supply chain, from the farm level to the shops.
PANEL | No to Greenwashing – Building Real Sustainability in Wine
Alessio Planeta, CEO at Planeta
Biography
Class of 1966, after completing his studies in agricultural sciences, in the 1990s Alessio Planeta devoted himself to delving into the history of Sicily and its viticulture with the goal of carrying on the extraordinary work begun by his uncle Diego Planeta and opening the doors of international development to Sicilian wines.
In 1991 he assumed the role of managing director and technical manager of the Planeta Farms and in 1995 he brought the first labels to the market: the Chardonnay - a wine that was by then an identity wine and had won many awards - opened the doors of the world to the newly established family brand and to the non-native grape varieties of Sicily, beginning a diversification that is a hallmark of the group.
From 2000 to 2009 Alessio Planeta assumed the role of President of the Terre Sicane Wine Route and Vice-President of the Regional Association of Wine Routes, while since 2008 he has been a director and vice-president of the National Syndicate of Mosti, Table Wines, V.Q.P.R.D. non-special, of Federvini.
In June 2011 he was appointed board member of Assovini Sicilia and in April 2012 he was awarded the title of aggregate Academician of the Georgofili Academy. From 2017 to 2020, Alessio served as president of Assovini Sicilia and is currently a board member of the Consorzio Doc Sicilia
Today Alessio Planeta manages a production of more than 2.4 million bottles a year to which he has added the cultivation of olive, almond and chickpea trees according to an entrepreneurial philosophy oriented toward sustainability, based on a deep knowledge of cultivation techniques and the enhancement of biodiversity. Alongside he sustains various cultural activities and high-profile hospitality projects related to wine tourism, aimed at conveying the positive values that animate the winery and accompanying visitors to the complex Planeta world.
In 2023 Alessio won the prestigious "Winemaker of the Year" title of the Wine Star Award, bringing Italy to the top of the list after sixteen years. The award was recognized by Wine Enthusiast - a North American wine magazine that annually nominates the most influential members of the wine, spirits and beverage industry.
In 2024, Alessio Planeta and his winery also received the title of "Wine Family of the Year" at the Meininger Awards Excellence in Wine & Spirit and ranked third among the most "admired" Italian wineries, after Antinori and Gaja, according to "The World's Most Admired Wine Brands" ranking, placing 30th internationally
Felicity Carter, Founder of Drinks Insider & Editorial Director, Areni Global
Biography
Based in Europe, Felicity Carter is the founder of Drinks Insider podcast, newsletter and consultancy, delivering analysis and insight on the drinks business. She’s also Editorial Director of Areni Global, the fine wine think tank headquartered in London, and a guest lecturer in Storytelling at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town. Previously, she was founding Executive Editor of The Drop at Pix, editorial consultant for Liv-ex, and Editor in Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, which she built into the world’s premier business publication, with subscribers in 38 countries. Her work has appeared in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers in Australia, and in The Guardian US, among many others. She has given keynotes on global trends, wine tourism and the anti-alcohol lobby in New York, Verona, London, Hong Kong and at many other conferences. Felicity has judged wine competitions in Germany, Georgia, Portugal, France and Luxembourg. She was named a 2024 Industry Leader by WineBusiness Monthly and won the 67 Pall Mall Global Communicators Award for Audio in 2025.
Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega
Biography
Sandro Bottega, born in 1963 in Conegliano, is the President of Bottega S.p.A.
After his father's death at the age of 19, he began managing Distilleria Bottega and shaping his adventure in the world of grappa and wine, together with his mother Rosina, sister Barbara and brother Stefano.
He is fully at home not only in the vineyards surrounding the company, but also in the cellar and among the distillery's copper stills. When, with pencil in hand, he designs new bottles with completely new shapes, he realises his artistic dream.
In four decades, he has built a company that is now present in the markets of more than 160 countries around the world.
Over the years, he has been able to diversify, offering Prosecco alongside grappa, a wide range of sparkling wines, the great reds of Valpolicella and Tuscany, as well as Limoncino and sweet cream-based liqueurs.
In 2009 he was made a Knight of the Republic.
In 2014, he created the 'Prosecco Bar' concept inspired by the philosophy of the Venetian bacaro with the aim of enhancing the gastronomic excellence of our country in combination with Prosecco and other wines. To date, 30 Prosecco Bars have been opened in franchising & licensing in 12 international airports in Europe and Asia, with over 1.5 million customers.
In 2015, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the launch of the atomic bomb, Sandro Bottega conceived the 'Spirit of Peace' project as a warning against war in all its forms. Two years later, an installation with this name, of which he was the main creator, was exhibited under the patronage of the municipality of Hiroshima in three different museums in the city that symbolised the nuclear tragedy. The installation consists of two doves, one in transparent glass and the other in white glass, representing hope and peace, and glass ampoules evoking tears and enclosing Japanese flowers, the first to be reborn on the contaminated ground.
In 2018 Sandro Bottega received the Riedel Wine Maker of the Year award in Toronto.
In 2022 the sales of Bottega Gold surpassed - in the Duty Free and Travel Retail channel - the sales of Moet & Chandon (source IWSR 2022) and thus became the world's best-selling sparkling wine in this channel. In the same year, the research company TR BUSINESS M1ndset awarded Bottega Gold The Travel Retail Awards as the world's most popular product in the Travel Retail channel.
In 2023, Mediobanca considered Bottega Spa to be the 4th most efficient company in the wine sector. Furthermore, since 2023 the company has been a member of the Leonardo Committee.
In 2024 Wine Searcher noted that Bottega Gold is the most popular and in-demand Prosecco on the web in the world.
In 2025 Sandro Bottega received the Outstanding Contribution to the Airport Food & Beverage Industry Award at FAB – Airport Food & Beverage Awards.
In 41 years, Bottega has grown from a turnover of Lire 60 million (€ 30,000) to its current size of € 91 million (year 2024).
Alejandra Galván, Sustainability Manager at CedarCreek Estate Winery and Iconic Wineries of British Columbia
Biography
Alejandra Galván is the Sustainability Manager at CedarCreek Estate Winery and Iconic Wineries of British Columbia, where she has been instrumental in embedding climate action into winery operations. With a background in environmental studies and sustainability, she established IWBC’s sustainability department in 2023 and has since led initiatives focused on decarbonization, biodiversity protection, and resource efficiency. Alejandra’s leadership ensures that CedarCreek and its sister wineries not only meet IWCA’s rigorous standards but also serve as models for integrating science-based climate strategies into the wine industry. Her work reflects a deep commitment to aligning environmental responsibility with long-term business resilience, making her a key voice in advancing IWCA’s mission.
PANEL | Shaping the Narrative – The Role of Communicators in Sustainable Wine
Felicity Carter, Founder of Drinks Insider & Editorial Director, Areni Global
Biography
Based in Europe, Felicity Carter is the founder of Drinks Insider podcast, newsletter and consultancy, delivering analysis and insight on the drinks business. She’s also Editorial Director of Areni Global, the fine wine think tank headquartered in London, and a guest lecturer in Storytelling at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.
Previously, she was founding Executive Editor of The Drop at Pix, editorial consultant for Liv-ex, and Editor in Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, which she built into the world’s premier business publication, with subscribers in 38 countries. Her work has appeared in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers in Australia, and in The Guardian US, among many others.
She has given keynotes on global trends, wine tourism and the anti-alcohol lobby in New York, Verona, London, Hong Kong and at many other conferences. Felicity has judged wine competitions in Germany, Georgia, Portugal, France and Luxembourg. She was named a 2024 Industry Leader by WineBusiness Monthly and won the 67 Pall Mall Global Communicators Award for Audio in 2025.
Véronique Rivest, 2nd Best Sommelier of the World 2013, Sommelier & Owner of Soif Bar à Vin and La Petite Soif
Biography
Véronique Rivest is one of the most respected sommeliers in Canada and abroad. Best Sommelier of Canada from 2006 to 2014, Best Sommelier of the Americas in 2012, she became the first woman in history to make a podium at the Best Sommelier of the World competition by taking 2nd place in 2013.
Véronique is also a talented communicator who excels in the art of sharing her passion. A sought- after speaker and trainer, she is also wine writer for La Presse, one of Quebec’s leading newspapers, official sommelier for Air Canada, and owner of two restaurants in Gatineau, Québec: Soif Bar à Vin and La Petite Soif.
Tara Q. Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com
Biography
Tara Thomas joined JancisRobinson.com as Managing Editor in late 2022, after 25 years at the US-based publication Wine & Spirits. There, as a writer, editor and critic, she was particularly focused on the wines of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, with special attention to Greece. A former professionally trained cook, she also spent much time trying to bring the food and wine worlds closer together. She’s written for a raft of other publications in the wine and food world, but the most enduring work she’s done is assisting Julia Harding and Jancis Robinson on fully updating the fifth edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine.
PANEL | The Hidden Side of Wine – Making the Supply Chain Sustainable
Christian Marier-Pilon, Corporate Social Responsability Manager, SAQ
Biography
Christian has excellent strategic vision and over 20 years of retail experience in the wine and spirits industry. He completed a master's degree in Management and Sustainable Development at HEC Montréal after his environmental studies. He now oversees the SAQ’s overall ESG plan, including the brand new sustainable development action plan. He collaborates in the implementation of several initiatives, such as the SAQ decarbonization plan, the modernization of the deposit system in Quebec as well as social impact projects. His various experiences and his participation in large-scale projects have allowed him to acquire transversal knowledge of the organization while establishing close collaborations with several players in the industry in which he operates.
Anna Brittain, Regeneration & Resilience Consultant
Biography
Anna has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 14 years facilitating and growing sustainability in the wine industry, with an expertise in communications and certification standards. Anna has served as a lead sustainability consultant with Ontario Craft Wineries, Sustainable Winegrowing British Columbia, Crimson Wine Group, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, and individual wineries including Benziger Family Winery.
Anna has helped lead the growth of the Napa Green program since 2015, and stepped into the position of Executive Director of the now independent non-profit in fall 2019. Anna has spearheaded three action-oriented RISE Climate & Wine Symposiums (’22, ’23, ’25 – originally THRIVES), each with 65+ expert speakers, 40+ sustainability sponsors, and 700+ guests. In 2023, Anna was named by the Wine Enthusiast as a Future 40 Tastemaker, and Wine Business Monthly as a Wine Industry Leader. In 2024, she was included in The Imbibe 75: “People and places that will shape the way we drink in 2024 and beyond.”
Anna has a Master’s of Environmental Science & Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, with specialties in Economics & Policy and Water Resource Management. She has a BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Williams College.
Antoine El Naccour, Director of Export Sales and Business Development at Verallia
Biography
Antoine El Naccour is Director of Export Sales and Business Development at Verallia, a global leader in glass packaging. He oversees international markets and strategic growth initiatives, managing multi-million-euro portfolios across more than 60 countries, including Western Europe, the UK, Australia, and Japan.
With over a decade of experience in international sales, business development, and team leadership, Antoine has built a strong track record in driving profitable growth, optimizing supply chains, and fostering global partnerships. A graduate of London Business School and ESSEC Business School, he is recognized for his ability to design ambitious strategies that align commercial performance with long-term sustainability.
Verallia places Corporate Social Responsibility at the heart of its mission, pioneering initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, promote circularity, and support communities. Fluent in four languages, Antoine brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the beverage and packaging industries.
Marc Picón Malivern, Export Manager at Sumarroca
Biography
Marc Picón was born in 1981 in Vilafranca del Penedès, a small village close to Barcelona in Spain.
Since he was a child, he has been surrounded by the grapes and wine atmosphere. His mother, Lidia, was one of the first women winemakers in the region and transmitted all her knowledge and passion to her son.
After obtaining his degree in Economics at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, he met a marketing wine Guru, called Michel Bourqui, who offered Marc the possibility of being part of a really special master degree; the OIV master degree in wine management. Marc travelled for 18 months around the world, just to visit the best wine regions on the earth. In total- 23 countries and more than 500 wineries.
After 15 days in Champagne, Marc decided to come back home for a week. It was during this week that he met the family Sumarroca. That day Marc invited his father for lunch, and he chose a Sumarroca Cava Nuria Claverol, one of the most interesting wines produced by Sumarroca. He was really impressed with the quality and style, and he started to talk about it. Just behind, one of the members of the family was listening to the comments Marc was saying about the wine. After some minutes, introduced himself as one of the owners and invited him to visit the winery. Eleven years later he still working at Sumarroca as the export manager.
PANEL | Financial Sustainability – Securing the Future of Wine
Etienne Neethling PhD, Teacher-Researcher in Viticulture and Oenology at Groupe École Supérieure d’Agriculture d’Angers
Biography
Originally from South Africa where he studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Stellenbosch, Etienne Neethling came to France in 2008 to complete his masters and doctoral studies. He is today a lecturer-researcher at the Ecole Supérieure des Agricultures in Angers, developing research work on adapting the wine sector to climate change. He is the head of the Master of Science in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management and an OIV expert within the SUSTAIN group. His presentation will focus on sustaining local wine identity in an evolving global climate, where varietal innovation is a critical question in building the resilience of the wine sector.
Anne Bousquet, Co-Owner Domaine Bousquet, Argentina and Origins Organic Imports, USA
Biography
Anne Bousquet grew up in a winegrowing family in Southwest France. Breaking with three generations of winemaking tradition, Bousquet opted to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics instead. A successful career as an economist specializing in the paper packaging industry ensued. Anne, her husband Labid Al Ameri accompanied by their daughter Eva moved from Brussels to tiny Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina in 2009 to manage Domaine Bousquet, the winery they co-founded with her father Jean in the late 1990s. In 25 years, Domaine Bousquet has morphed from a pioneer’s dream in virgin territory into a thriving concern with 190 full-time employees and wines sold in more than 60 countries. Domaine Bousquet today is the #1 organic and regenerative winery in Argentina. Anne and Labid are now based in Miami, to focus on developing their most important market, the U.S., and have set up their own import company. Today Anne splits her time between running Origin Organic Imports in Miami and Domaine Bousquet in the Uco Valley in Argentina.
Séverine Pinte, Executive Winemaker/Viticulturist and Managing Partner at Le Vieux Pin and LaStella wineries in BC’s Okanagan Valley
Biography
Séverine Pinte is the Executive Winemaker/Viticulturist and Managing Partner of two boutique wineries in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley: Le Vieux Pin and LaStella. With a deep commitment to sustainability, she also serves as Chair of the Sustainable Winegrowing BC (SWBC) program. Since 2021, both wineries and their 90 acres of estate vineyards have been certified by SWBC.
Séverine’s passion for crafting premium BC wines has earned her international recognition. In 2023, she was knighted into the prestigious Order of Agricultural Merit by the French government—an honour with a 140-year legacy. In 2024, Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) recognized her leadership and vision with its Leadership Excellence Award.