IWA Wine Blog » Events

Share Photos of Your Halloween Costume and Win!

IWA — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:35:15 +0000

It’s never been easier to get into the spirit of all Hallow’ Eve than to share one of your sinister Halloween party snapshots with your friends at IWA on our Facebook page for a chance to win a 3-bottle gift pack of wine that includes:

2010 Girard Chardonnay Russian River Valley
2009 Cosentino Winery Napa Valley THE Pinot and
NV Windsor Vineyards Sparkling Brut

Be sure to share this post and Facebook updates with your friends to bring more to the party!

Don’t delay, you only have until midnight (Pacific Time) Monday, October 31st to enter. We will choose a winner based on who dons our favorite costume.

Cheers!

More Than Just a Taste of Sonoma

Ed Thralls — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:50:12 +0000

This weekend was the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, which is 3 days chock full of winemaker dinners, winery events, a charitable auction and a wine & food event at MacMurray Ranch called the Taste of Sonoma. The Sonoma Valley Wine Harvest Auction and the “Taste” are the marquee events for the weekend and is one of the most anticipated days of the year for many in the industry as well as wine country visitors. Based in the heart of the Russian River Valley along Porter Creek, nestled amongst vineyards and tree-filled hills, the MacMurray Ranch, originally settled in the 1850s, becomes the center of the Sonoma wine and food universe where one can practically taste all there is to offer in the region in one place.

The grounds are separated into by the main regions, or AVAs, of Sonoma county including Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Sonoma Valley where wineries making wine from each respective AVA are intermingled with food and industry booths. There were other venues to enjoy as well including the Gloria Ferrer Bubble Lounge, Sommelier tasting tours and cooking demonstrations on the Viking stage among others. The weather was simply fantastic with bright blue skies, plenty of sunshine and temperatures reaching the upper 80s. International Wine Accessories was situated in the Dry Creek Valley tent and enjoyed meeting so many wine and food enthusiasts and generally enjoying the day amongst friends. To see some photos of the event, check out the IWA Facebook Page here.

With more than 170 wineries and 60 chefs, this event becomes way more than just a mere “taste,” though. It’s more like like watering mouthfuls while at an all-you-can-eat buffet always enticing you to go back for more. It is practically impossible to see every business in attendance nor should you if you want to walk out of the event in a straight line Instead, it’s perhaps wise to check a few out at each tent or focus on the regions or the wine styles you like the most. It is a good idea to take some notes of wines you enjoyed the most or who were recommended by others as you can always go visit their wineries on another day. Water stations were strategically located throughout the venue to assist in both managing the heat as well as the grape juice intake.

All in all, Taste of Sonoma was a well-planned and managed event with a lot to see and do providing value well beyond the ticket price. If you were in attendance, we hope you enjoyed your experience and had a chance to sip some good wine, nibble on tasty local treats and an opportunity to visit our table to check out our accessories and wine gifts. Please tell us about your experience below in the comments. What was your favorite part of the event?

2011 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is Sept. 2-4

Ed Thralls — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:10:10 +0000

It’s that time of year again, already! Get ready to celebrate Sonoma wine country living at its finest by tasting only the best epicurean delights and elegant wines. Tastes wines from wineries all across Sonoma County, check out the 32nd Annual Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch and do your part by participating in the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Cline Cellars. All this and more for three full days of wine country celebration.

International Wine Accessories is a co-sponsor of this awesome event, so we encourage you to check out all the venues. See schedule below.

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Winemaker Lunches

12:30 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

Winemaker Dinner Parties

6:00 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

32nd Annual Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | MacMurray Ranch, Healdsburg

Winemaker Dinner Parties

6:00 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

Honorary Chair Dinner Parties

6:00 p.m. | The Dutton Family or the Benziger Family

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

19th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Cline Cellars, Sonoma

WINERY BBQs

12:30 p.m. | Wineries throughout Sonoma County

BUY TICKETS HERE

Cool Giveaways at the 9th Annual Pinot Noir Summit

Ed Thralls — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:32:06 +0000

There is still time! There are only 3 days until the 9th Annual Pinot Noir Summit begins this Saturday, February 26th and I hear there are a few tickets still available. Not only will you get the chance to taste 64 wines blind and submit your scores, explore hot topics regarding the grape with expert winemakers and viticulturists, have dinner with select winemakers and taste the winning wines, but you also have the opportunity to win some great prizes from us!

This year’s event will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District from 11:30a – 6:45pm.

International Wine Accessories will have a drawing for several items throughout the event. All you have to do is stop by our booth to sign up to be eligible. Check out these great prizes:

A Set of Ultima Burgundy Glasses

An Ultima Tasting Set

Vinturi Wine Aerator

12-bottle Mini Cellar

Don’t delay, get your tickets now at http://bit.ly/PinotSummit and win(e) some fabulous stuff from IWA!

Passionate about Pinot? Come to the Pinot Noir Summit.

IWA — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:49:56 +0000

Do you love Pinot Noir? If you answered yes without hesitation, you definitely should be attending the 8th Annual Passion for Pinot Noir Summit. On Saturday, February 27, 2010, consumers, press, trade and an extraordinary array of palates will gather at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael, California to evaluate “the best of the best,” from the 8th Annual Pinot Noir Shootout that was held during the past two months.

Yours truly was one of the judges on the diverse tasting panel comprised of wine industry professionals from varying disciplines including restaurant and retail trade, winemakers, wine writers, wine educators, and viticulturalists. Do you trust my palate? Come to the summit and challenge the judges’ conclusions. Taste 40 of the top Pinots from around the world in a blind tasting and be a wine judge for a day.

IWA is a Summit Sponsor

This year, International Wine Accessories is proud to be a sponsor and donating Ultima Burgundy glasses for use at this fabulous event. Our exclusive Ultima stemware is brighter, stronger and more durable than other glasses on the market. Lead-free and machine-made these glasses are extremely resistant to chipping and breaking, and are dishwasher safe. Ultima glasses are the stemware of choice for this prestigious wine event. They’re also perfect for everyday use in your home.

IWA will also be giving away some great door prizes, once every half-hour from 6:30PM to 8:00PM. Be sure to stop by our table and enter our drawing for your chance to win one of four fantastic prizes.

Click on the banner below to register. Here are the details:

Passion for Pinot Noir Summit

Saturday, February 27, 2010
12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Osher Marin Jewish Community Center
200 N. San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

Noon – 3:30 PM
Pinot Noir Shootout – The Final Showdown

3:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Pinot Noir Workshops

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Pinot Noir Reception and Awards Ceremony