#DWCC13, #DWCC: some fotos from 1st full day

The venue

Some photos taken@the first full session of the 2013 Digital WC Conference – from lunchtime and the opening session with two keynote speakers – Clark Smith and Arto Koskelo (+twitter).  

Ryan Opaz: one third of the Vrazon triumvirate  

Clark Smith 'The Postmodern Winemaker' – first keynote speaker

Clark Smith clearly enjoys challenging received ideas and parts of his presentation were interesting but overall was let down by a lack of coherence. Also some of his challenges to received notions were facile: oak chips are more environmentally friendly than using oak barrels appeared to be based on the premise that oak is used solely to flavour wine, so ignoring its use to soften wine through an exchange of oxygen. It is, however, valid to question whether the demand for new oak barrels isn't using up oak forests at an unsustainable rate.       

Arto Koskelo (above and below)

Arto Koskelo talked about how Google had been the game changer making detailed information instantly available through the net. Communicators needed to find fresh ways of attracting and holding their audiences – speaking with their own voices but based on knowledge. 

Magnus Reuterdahl (@Reuterdahl)

(above and below)

Gabriella Opaz with Mica Opaz – the real star of the show 

Mica with Uncle Robert McIntosh (another third of the triumvirate) 

Mica will have to get used to the attentions of the paparazzi 

(in this instance Roger Kolbu)  

Ricardo Bernardo – DWCC's official photographer

Ricardo with his new Canon EOS 5 Mk3 

Representatives from Rioja: Ricardo Aguiriano (Marketing Director) (above)

below: Pia Mara Finkell

Simon Woolf, who has recently joined the Circle of Wine Writers

 Lotte Karolina Gabrovits – EWCC scholarship winner

currently on a stage (from September to December) 

with a producer in Burgundy