LIVE: California Agave Symposium: March 23rd 2026
The California Agave Symposium Returns — And This Time, We’re Heading South
California has always had a habit of stepping into the unknown with confidence, and the emergence of California-grown agave is no exception. What started as an experiment among a handful of forward-thinking growers has rapidly grown into one of the most exciting new agricultural frontiers in the state. In 2025, the California Agave Symposium makes its way to Southern California for the first time — a fitting home for a movement defined by ambition, innovation, and the kind of creative risk-taking that California is known for.
A Look Back: How the Symposium Became the Industry’s Annual Touchstone
Since its inception, the Symposium has evolved into the central meeting point for everyone invested in building a California agave industry from the ground up. Each year has brought together a wide mix of voices: growers testing the limits of what can thrive in California’s diverse climates; UC Davis and other researchers digging into soil science, water use, varietal performance, and climate adaptation; and distillers who have generously shared real-world lessons about fermentation, roasting, regulation, and how to express California terroir in a bottle.
Past gatherings have covered everything from the fundamentals of planting and irrigation to advanced processing methods and brand-building strategies. What attendees consistently highlight is the combination of practical insight, candid discussion, and the emerging sense of community — a feeling that we’re collectively charting the course of a brand-new specialty crop. And if previous years are any indication, the 2025 Symposium will raise the bar yet again.
Why This Event Matters
The Symposium has become the largest and most anticipated annual gathering of California’s agave growers, distillers, researchers, and industry partners. It’s the space where new farmers meet seasoned experts, where lessons learned in the field become frameworks for the future, and where our industry’s direction takes shape.
Whether you're exploring agave for the first time, gearing up for your first harvest, or refining your approach to processing and scaling, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who are asking the same questions — and often discovering the answers together.
What to Expect in 2026
While the final program will be announced soon, expect a full day of presentations, conversations, and panels led by the people who are actively shaping this industry in real time. California agave is still in its pioneering era, and the Symposium is where that pioneering spirit is most alive. Every year, attendees walk away with new contacts, new ideas, and a stronger sense of how this category is developing — both agriculturally and in the marketplace.
Make the Most of the Experience
We encourage attendees to stay at our host hotel, the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, where a discounted room block has been secured. Staying onsite makes it easy to keep the conversations going long after the sessions wrap — which, as our regulars know, is often where the most valuable connections happen.
Membership Matters
Current California Agave Council Members and Associate Members receive a substantial discount on registration. If you’re working anywhere along the California agave value chain and haven’t joined the Council yet, this is the moment. Membership helps sustain the organization working to support growers, processors, distillers, and researchers as the industry takes shape. Join here.
Don’t Miss Early-Bird Pricing
The first 50 tickets are available at an early-bird rate, so those planning to attend should register soon.
California has always been a place for builders and boundary-pushers. The 2025 Symposium is your chance to be part of writing the next chapter in the story of California agave.
[Click here to secure your tickets and book your hotel on Eventbrite!]
More updates are coming soon — and trust us, you’ll want to be there for what’s ahead.
