Wine and the Global Debate Over “No Safe Level”

Today's Temperance Movement and Its Impact on Public Policy

The trend to drink less or no alcohol is rising, and the wine industry is seeing a decrease in sales. The World Health Organization has also issued a statement that no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. Grape growers and winemakers are debating the proclamation as they forage through this new climate of wine consumption. Ed Matovcik, Vice President of Public Affairs for Constellation Brands, will present a lecture on this trend, how it is impacting public policy, and whether it will change the way we raise a glass.

Speakers:

Ed Matovcik has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of wine and public policy. He has served as the Chief of Staff to Napa Valley Congressman and Vintner Mike Thompson for 16 of those years. During that tenure, they created California’s first Legislative Wine Caucus. They then took that leadership and spotlight on wine to the U.S. overCapitol when Mike was elected to Congress to create what is today’s Congressional Wine Caucus. Ed’s experience in the private sector includes leading Treasury Wine Estates Government Relations team back when it had an Australian beer name in front of it. He has also served as the CEO of an international wine marketing, sales and distribution company for 10 years. Ed is currently the Vice President of Public Affairs for Constellation Brands where he is responsible for all state, federal and international public policies regarding wine. Ed is a current Board Member and Officer of the California Wine Institute. He also serves on the Boards of Wine America, the Napa Valley Vintners Association and the Sonoma State University Wine Business Institute. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Boston University and an MBA from Columbia University’s School of Business. Ed and his wife Cheryl live in Napa where they have fostered over 80 dogs from the county shelter where Cheryl is a fulltime volunteer. They currently only have four living with them.

Walt Klenz began his California wine industry career in 1973. In 1976, he was named Director of Marketing at Beringer Vineyards. Klenz held several senior marketing, financial, and operations positions at Beringer until his appointment in 1990 as President. After Beringer was sold to Foster's Group in 2000, he headed Foster's global wine business. Klenz served on the Advisory Board of ASC Fine Wines from 2008 to 2010 and on the Board of Directors of J. Lohr Winery and Columbia Sportswear Company. He is a past Napa Valley Vintners President and a past Wine Institute Chairman.

About:

This event is part of the Walt Klenz Lectureship Series on Wine Business, which brings leading figures in the domestic and international wine business to the institute for evenings of talks, insights, and unique perspectives about the wine industry.

Venue & Parking:

This event will be in-person at Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute, Sensory Building. Parking is available at the Gateway Parking Structure. Parking payment is enforced on weekdays. There are three options for parking payment:

1. UC Davis uses AggiePark via the AMP app – please be sure to download the app ahead of time and set up your profile. Select the zone which you parked using the map or icon in the top right corner of the app. This is the preferred and easiest method.
2. If you do not have a smartphone to download the app, you can also sign up for an account online and follow the steps on the website: https://aimsmobilepay.com/
3. Alternatively, permit machines in the Gateway Parking Structure accept credit cards. You will need to enter your license plate number into the machine to purchase a permit. We recommend this option as a last choice.

Questions?

If you have questions about this event, please email rmievents@ucdavis.edu.