The 2012 Women for WineSense Grand Event, an educational and networking event for women and men wine professionals and enthusiasts will take place this year between May 4 and May 6 in the Napa Valley. This is an excellent reason to come and mingle with old friends, meet some new ones, learn a few things, and enjoy the excellent food and wine available in the Napa Valley wine country.
If you want to attend the Grand Event, an All Access Pass includes admission to the Friday Reception (a fête honoring Margrit Mondavi at the Robert Mondavi Winery featuring wines from 15 wineries, hors d’oueuvres, and live music), a Saturday Wine Tour (from 14 different wineries including Crocker & Starr, Gundlach Bundschu, Palmaz Vineyards, Tamber Bey and Tres Sabores), and a full Sunday Pass. On Sunday, there will be educational seminars, a luncheon and awards ceremony, and a silent auction at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. The Seminar sessions will run 75 minutes each and among the dozen Seminars to choose from are “Wine, People, and Pairing” led by Andrea Immer Robinson, “Washington Wines Rock” led by Judith Thoet, “Cabernet Straight Up: A Vertical Tasting” led by Cathy Corison, “Wine & Chocolate: Doubling Up on Life’s Finer Pleasures” led by Chris Kollar, and “In a New York State of Wine” led by Lorraine Hems.
In order to purchase an All Access Pass, or to learn more about the 2012 Grand Event, please go here. Tickets are currently $195 for Women for WineSense members, and $245 for non-members, but the Early Bird Pricing ends at midnight on March 1, 2012, and the prices will increase $65. However, you don’t have to purchase an All Access Pass in order to attend the Grand Event. Where room is still available, you can also purchase tickets to individual events instead.
To add to your fun, there are also optional events in addition to the core activities included in the All Access Pass. On Friday afternoon, May 4, there are Pre-Event Premium Wine Tours and there is still room available for the groups heading to Rudd Winery or Joseph Phelps Vineyards. On Saturday evening, May 5, WWS has arranged for some Vintner Dinners to be held at Idell Family Vineyards, Linked Vineyards, and Raymond Vineyards, all of which still have seats available. Once again, you should go here to learn more about the 2012 Grand Event and to register.
In case you didn’t know, Women for WineSense (WWS) is the premiere wine education and networking organization for women (and men) interested in and involved in wine. WWS was founded in 1990 by some of the top women in the wine industry including Michaela Rodeno (former CEO of St. Supery), Julie Johnson (founder of Tres Sabores and Frog’s Leap), winemaker Dawnine Dyer, Margrit Mondavi, and Margaret Duckhorn, and has since grown to 11 regional chapters and more than 730 members across the country. Chapters can be found in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. Women for WineSense also supports the professional development of women in the wine industry and associated fields in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Membership benefits include invitations to National and Chapter events, discounts at those events, a national newsletter, and other member-only discounts. To learn more about the organization and/or to join, go here.
If you come to the Napa Valley to attend the Grand Event, or for any other reason, please check out the rest of our website for our Favorite Tasting Rooms and Favorite Food Locations. Use the drop-down menus above, or click on these links to find the places that are the most interesting, fun, and worthwhile broken down by region:
Calistoga and Diamond Mountain
Spring Mountain and St. Helena
Howell Mountain
Oakville and Rutherford
Yountville and Stags Leap District
City of Napa, Mount Veeder, and Oak Knoll District
Carneros Region