Wine Festival Returns in March
The latest news on everyone’s lips: Cincinnati International Wine Festival returns to the Duke Energy Convention Center March 9–11 for the organization’s biggest, boldest celebration yet.
This year’s festival will include 700 labels representing far-flung vineyards in the U.S., Australia, Macedonia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and other international locales. The event’s prestigious Grand Tastings will celebrate two Cincinnati-based wineries, Vinoklet and Meier.
In addition, 2023 festivalgoers will enjoy a bevy of new features that include:
Saké, wine-based seltzers, and single-serve ready-to-drink beverages
Take wine home from the festival by bidding on new smaller auction lots of 6-10 bottles
11 female owned wineries and 38 sustainability focused wineries
Larger venue with more booths and amenities
Served food and dessert samplings
A Generous Pour
Each year newcomers and connoisseurs alike flock to this delightfully bacchanalian weekend for its dazzling array of food and drink. But the festival is equally well known for a long tradition of giving back to local arts, education, health, and human services organizations.
In its 32-year history, the Cincinnati International Wine Festival has generated more than $6.75 million in grants to Greater Cincinnati organizations. In keeping with this year’s theme—Giving Back One Glass At a Time—silent auctions will benefit more than 30 deserving local recipients including Cincinnati Ballet, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, and Freestore Foodbank.
Elevating Diverse Voices in Wine
In curating the event, organizers joined an industry-wide push to promote diversity and inclusion by recognizing vintners from historically underrepresented communities. This year’s celebration will feature a host of minority-led operations that includes 11 women-owned wineries.
Notes of Accountability
The growing demand for regenerative, organic, vegan, and other sustainably produced wines was another major focus in planning the 2023 Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Attendees will have a chance to meet and learn from producers like Michael Honig, this year’s Honorary Chair and a leader in sustainable winemaking.
Since his early days selling and hand-delivering wine on the streets of San Francisco, Honig has built a thriving business that centers on a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Among his many environmental accolades, Honig is recognized as an original co-author of California’s “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices.” In 2005, his vineyard joined a pilot program aimed at reducing pesticide use by training Labrador Retrievers to detect mealy bugs.
His deep respect for the land aside, Honig believes sustainable growing practices simply result in better grapes—and thus, a better end product for consumers.
“I believe the things we’re doing, like being solar powered, using sheep to mow our vineyard versus tractors, are making a difference,” Honig says. “Due to our rigorous sustainable practices, our property is a very clean environment, and our bees thrive.”
Time to Raise a Glass
See the full schedule and details, and purchase Cincinnati International Wine Festival tickets now online.
Winery Dinner Series: Thursday, March 9 @ select restaurants including Red Feather Kitchen and Ivory House
Grand Tastings: Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 @ Duke Energy Convention Center
Charity Auction and Luncheon: Saturday, March 11 @ Duke Energy Convention Center
Stay tuned to @cincywinefest on Facebook and Instagram for wine and event updates!
Saturday’s Charity Auction with smaller lots of 6-10 bottles
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