31st Annual
Steamboat Pinot Noir Conference
July 22-25, 2012
The Steamboat Conference is a Pinot Noir producers' seminar. The main purposes are to critically taste Pinots and openly discussing growing and making wine from that variety. It is not a consumer event.
The activity that occupies top billing at Steamboat is the blind tasting and critical discussion of ONE unfinished, unbottled barrel sample Pinot from each of the wineries present.
The Conference is a chance to seriously discuss Pinot Noir with fellow producers from around the globe. Formal sessions finish in mid afternoon, leaving time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and many outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and fly fishing.
The Steamboat Conference started in 1980 as a means of “Improving the Breed”. Like the wine, the Conference continues to evolve. Today its purposes are the following:
- To bring Pinot noir producers together to blind taste unfinished Pinots from around the globe, New World and Old.
- To openly exchange information and share experiences regarding the growing of Pinot noir and the styles and techniques of Pinot noir winemaking.
- To accomplish the above in an informal, relaxed atmosphere that allows for recreation and sharing of wine with friends in a beautiful setting on the North Umpqua River.
