Visit Sacramento and Slow Food International will host Terra Madre Americas, the American version of the internationally acclaimed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto food conference May 17th – 19th at the Sacramento Convention Center. Programming focuses on three key Slow Food themes – wine, coffee and biocultural territories of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The event is free to the public and brings together wineries, food producers, scientists, cooks, and researchers from the United States and Latin America for educational and interactive experiences for all ages. Additional ticketed event opportunities including Slow Wine USA masterclasses programmed by Slow Wine USA editors Deborah Parker Wong and Pam Strayer with producers from the 2024 Slow Wine USA guide.
Saturday, 5/18
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Slow Wine: Take Your Time, Everyday Wines: Wines Priced $30 and Under, $50
Speakers: Deborah Parker Wong, journalist and Slow Wine USA director, and Pam Strayer, journalist and Slow Wine USA co-director.
Little known fact: Lodi and the Sierra Foothills offer affordable, artisanal wines (priced below $30). Explore California wines from lesser-known varieties originally from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain that have taken root here. Discover a Portuguese white, a lightly sparkling Mourvedre from El Dorado, a red blend from Amador County, Sangiovese from biodynamic vines in Lodi, a low alcohol Italian red blend, and heritage Cinsault from historic vines in this masterclass.
Sunday, 5/19
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Slow Wine goes Local
Speakers: Deborah Parker Wong and Pam Strayer
The region of “Superior California” encompassing Lodi, the Sierra Nevada Foothills, the California Delta and Yolo County is home to a wealth of old vine vineyards and the Slow Wine producers who cherish them. We’ve selected wines that tell the story of these terroirs and showcase the talents of the makers whose efforts have preserved their heritage. The region favors heat-loving varieties including Cinsault, Syrah and Zinfandel but there are surprises like Albarino around every corner.
3:00 PM -4:00 PM
Growing Great Grapes: Amador County’s Legendary Shake Ridge Ranch
Speakers: Deborah Parker Wong and Pam Strayer
California’s best winemakers and emerging vintners alike come to Sutter Creek to get great grapes. Since 2005, winemakers–from Napa’s top tiers to fledgling natural vintners–have coveted the 14 varieties legendary vineyardist Anne Kraemer meticulously grows in Amador County in the Sierra foothills from Barbera, Grenache and Syrah to Tempranillo and Zinfandel. See why in this sampling of terroir-driven wines with Kraemer and selected winemakers.
For more information contact: Deborah Parker Wong, deborahparkerwong@gmail.com.