A two-day conference summoning the food and beverage community to begin with wine and then go beyond the glass and engage with the larger agricultural principles that shape what we serve and pour— presented by Grassroots Wine.

The conference will spotlight the on-the-ground practices pushing the food and beverage industry forward, from regenerative farming's ability to restore depleted soils to the role that root-level microbiomes play in driving the quality of wine and the nutrient density of food crops.

By drawing on the wine world's deep agricultural knowledge and drive to experiment, we aim to reinforce wine's authenticity while demonstrating how responsible farming can inform, inspire, and elevate the next generation of F&B professionals.

The Conference will take place over two days, with each day having a different shape and structure.

We will meet on Monday in the august Charleston Music Hall, built as a train station in 1849. We will hear 7 speakers from the world of farming and winemaking speak on an aspect of their work in the wide context of regenerative agriculture.

Here are Monday's speakers:

• Michel Nischan, Wholesome Wave
• Will and Jenni Harris, White Oak Pastures
• Dr. Allen Williams, Understanding Ag
• Pascaline Lepeltier, Chambers NYC; Author: Mille Vignes
• Chiara Pepe, Emidio Pepe
• Brenna Quigley, Geologist, Roadside Terrior Podcast
• Kelsey Keener, Sequatchie Cove Farm

Following the talks, all of the participants will be invited to a grand wine tasting, hosted by Harry Root and Grassroots Wine, featuring the wines of their producers from all over the world. Many of the speakers and classroom leaders will be pouring their own wines. The Grand Tasting will take place at Sterling Hall at Hyatt House Historic Charleston, a few blocks from the Music Hall.

On Tuesday, we will reconvene at Sterling Hall for 3 periods of classroom sessions, followed by a final #12Seats Symposium, on stage, in front of all of the conference attendees.

The classroom sessions will be led by :

• Jason Lett, Eyrie Vineyards
• Kevin Pike, Branchwater Farms
• Morgan Twain-Peterson, Bedrock Vineyard
• Abe Schoener, Scholium Project
• Raj Parr, Phelan Farms
• Clare Carver, Big Table Farm
• Steve and Jill Matthiasson, Matthiasson Family Vineyards
• Chiara Pepe, Emidio Pepe
• Brenna Quigley, Roadside Terrior Podcast
• Michel Nischan, Wholesome Wave
• Dr. Allen Williams, Understanding Ag
• Will and Jenni Harris, White Oak Pastures