Cal Poly Hosts Annual Wine Economist Conference
The Agribusiness Department (AGB) hosted the 17th Annual Conference of the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE), an organization dedicated to supporting, disseminating and discussing research on the economics of wine, other alcoholic beverages and cannabis from June 18-22, 2025. Several faculty members are active in AAWE and have presented their research at recent conferences in Switzerland, France and Austria.
The event included an opening reception at the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall on campus, two days of academic presentations and discussion in the Chumash Auditorium, a gala dinner at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo and wine tours in Paso Robles and Edna Valley. The AGB department collaborated with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and the SLO Wine Country Association to organize the winery tours and connected with many local industry partners, including alumni.
“AGB hosting the AAWE was a fantastic way to not only introduce wine specialists from throughout the world to the wines of California’s Central Coast, but also to Cal Poly’s excellent wine curriculum and facilities and strengthen AGB’s connections with the local wine industry,” said Agribusiness Professor Ricky Volpe, an AAWE member and the lead organizer, along with Professor Mike McCullough and administrative staff coordinator Sheri Hamrell.
The conference had 110 registered attendees representing 13 countries, who collectively presented work on 92 ongoing research projects. Attendees also toured the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center of Wine and Viticulture on campus and sampled several Cal Poly wines.
Read more stories in Ag Biz Buzz Winter 2026.
