Blog

Toast to the Future: Technology, Intellectual Property, and Inclusion in the Wine Industry

Washington state is no stranger to the wine industry! As the second largest wine producer in the U.S, Washington has over 55,000 acres of vineyards and nearly 1000 wineries. Join three wine experts in a delicious discussion about the future of wine including looking at advances in technology, intellectual property and diversity and inclusion. What can we expect from grape to table?  And of course, no wine program would be complete without a tasting!  Details coming soon on where/when you can sample these fabulous West Coast wines during the conference. 

Moderator:
Elizabeth Dougherty, USPTO, Alexandria, VA

Speakers:

Phil Long, Longevity Wines, Association of African American Vintners, Livermore, CA

Katja Loeffelholz, Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty, Napa, CA

Melissa Hansen, Washington State Wine, Seattle, WA

Speakers

• Dougherty, Elizabeth

  USPTO | Eastern Regional Outreach Director

  As the Eastern Regional Outreach Director for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Elizabeth Dougherty carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and is responsible for leading the USPTO's East Coast stakeholder engagement. Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community, Ms. Dougherty ensures the USPTO's initiatives and programs are tailored to the region's unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders.
• Loeffelholz, Katja

  Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty PC | Of Counsel

  Katja Loeffelholz is a Registered Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Katja’s practice focuses on counseling and representing clients on all aspects of trademark, trade dress, copyright and related issues. Katja’s experience covers all aspects of these areas of law, including practice before the USPTO, counseling on protection, licensing and acquisition of intellectual property, and enforcement matters. She also advises clients on the adoption and availability of trademarks and service marks both domestically and internationally. Katja is also licensed to practice as a patent attorney before the USPTO.
• Hansen, Melissa

  Washington State Wine | Research Program Director

  As the Washington wine industry’s point person on grape and wine research for nearly 8 years, Melissa leads the Washington wine industry’s own competitive research grant program and the statewide research grant program at Washington State University. The industry’s overall research goal is to improve wine quality. She is a board member of the National Grape Research Alliance and chair of the organization’s Integrated Production Systems Committee. She has also held leadership positions with the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research, a consortium of industry and scientists in the Northwest, and currently is on the steering committee of the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force.
• Long, Phil

  Longevity Wines | Founder

  Winemaker Phil Long is the president of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and the founder of Longevity Wines. Like many people of color in the wine industry today, Phil had no idea wine could be a career when he was younger. He was born in Washington, DC, grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in architecture. Phil used his artistic skill to build a successful career in packaging and store display design before becoming a winemaker. He was named president of AAAV in January 2020 and is devoted to elevating awareness of African Americans in the wine industry and paving paths to wine careers for all minorities.