March 4 to 8 -- Two lectures by leading wine industry experts will be open to the media at UC Davis' seventh annual Wine Executive Program in Sacramento. Robert Smiley, professor and director of wine studies for the Graduate School of Management, will speak on "The Wine Industry: A Global Perspective" at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, March 5. The wine economist will discuss recent developments regarding prices and popularities of wine varieties and strategic considerations for wineries and vineyards. Professor James Wolpert of the Department of Viticulture and Enology will discuss "Vineyard Operations in the 21st Century: Understanding and Managing the Subtleties of Grape Growing" at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8. The program will also include a discussion of the new challenges facing grape buyers and growers. Designed to help educate and cultivate wine executives from around the world, it has attracted about 70 registrants. A joint presentation of the management school and the viticulture and enology department, the program will be held at One Capital Mall.