New Vintage. (L.A. Stories).

Conventioneers will descend on L.A. later this week for the inaugural EcoWine Fest 2003, a gathering of aficionados of organic wines.

California leads the nation in organic wine production with more than 13,000 acres farmed in 2001, compared with 14,500 nationwide.

Gregory DeSantis, one of the event s co-creators, said wines from 11 countries will be on display. There will even be a wine grower from the Republic of Georgia

"I didn't even know they made wine there' he said.

Organic vintners from France and Germany will also be present, although DeSantis admits that planning was made difficult because of the war in Iraq. "During the war France didn't have a presence and Germany wouldn't talk to us' he said.

The event will be held at several loca dons, including the Skirball Cultural Center and the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.

Asked how he got involved in a trade show for organic wine, De Santis, who grew up in a winemaking family, said: "This is a lot more exciting than pesticide-free cotton clothing."