Exploring Timeless Elegance: The 2024 New York Wine Experience – Wine from Generation to Generation Chris Lehoux, October 29, 2024 The 43rd annual Wine Spectator event united families of winemakers and enthusiasts, showcasing 348 remarkable wines for everyone to enjoy. When Jeffery Lindenmuth addressed the audience on the inaugural morning of the 2024 New York Wine Experience, the executive editor of Wine Spectator gazed upon more than 1,000 attendees, who felt more like family than strangers. “When I got to the hotel last night, I happened to ride the elevator with some of our guests heading to their rooms. They mentioned they were from Chicago and had been part of this event for many years,” he shared with the audience. “We chatted about the schedule a bit, and I wished them a pleasant weekend. As they stepped off the elevator, one of them shook my hand and said, ‘It’s good to be home.’ I believe many of us share that sentiment. So, to all who come back year after year to reconnect with old friends and savor these exceptional wines: Welcome home to the New York Wine Experience!” This year’s 43rd Wine Experience took place at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square from October 17 to 19. As the premier wine event globally, it brought together wine aficionados, winemakers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, chefs, and retailers for a celebration of wine and camaraderie. It served as a gathering of sorts, connecting a community bound by their passion for wine and the relationships it fosters. The weekend kicked off with two evening Grand Tastings featuring a selection of 265 exquisite wines, complemented by two action-packed days filled with tasting seminars and presentations led by renowned wine experts. Attendees enjoyed delightful lunches hosted by esteemed vintners from Italy and Sonoma, as well as a Champagne and whisky reception curated by some of the finest restaurants in New York. Throughout the weekend, over 4,000 guests indulged in the opportunity to savor some of the finest wines, with a staggering total of 348 wines poured from 21,480 bottles into 60,270 glasses. However, the Wine Experience is more than just an opportunity to taste and learn about spectacular wines; it serves as a reunion for friends old and new, a chance to reconnect with your wine family. It’s akin to returning home. The festivities commenced on Thursday evening with the first of two Grand Tastings. Spanning two floors of the hotel, guests explored offerings from around the globe, as 265 wineries showcased wines rated 90 points or higher by a Wine Spectator editor. Attendees had the unique chance to meet the winery owners and winemakers behind the exceptional bottles. “This is my first time, but it certainly won’t be my last,” remarked Lois Berlin, an education consultant from Washington D.C. “What an incredible opportunity to taste wines that are outside my usual selection and broaden my palate.” For the wine producers, the occasion served as a wonderful opportunity to engage with some of their most devoted customers while also meeting fellow vintners from around the world. “It’s such an honor for us to be here, mamma mia!,” exclaimed Cesare Benvenuto Pio, a winemaker from Pio Cesare in Piedmont. “No one organizes a wine event quite like this.” Numerous invited wineries are family-owned, and it was remarkable to see how many vintners were participating as the next generation at the Wine Experience. Shannon Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyards in Napa poured wine alongside her father, Garen. Barbara Banke of Jackson Family Wines shared tastings with her son Chris Jackson. Catherine Kistler made her debut behind the counter, representing her family’s Occidental Winery, which was founded by Steve Kistler. Arturo Pallanti from Chianti Classico’s Castello di Ama was there to represent his family while his parents remained in Tuscany, tending to the fermentations of the latest vintage. This generational theme was evident throughout the two days of seminars, which featured talks from renowned wine personalities; a special discussion with Angelo Gaja conducted by Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken; vertical and retrospective tastings from Viña Cobos, Château Léoville Las Cases, and Lokoya; a presentation on single-vineyard Rhône wines by Philippe Guigal, a culinary pairing competition featuring Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse, and Danny Meyer; in addition to tastings of Wine Spectator’s 2023 Value Wine of the Year and Top 10 Wines of 2023. The event attendees also witnessed the inaugural induction into the Wine Spectator Video Contest Hall of Fame, as Steve Jacobson claimed victory for an unprecedented third consecutive year, showcasing his musical rendition inspired by Hamilton: “I Just Want a Zinfandel.” At one of the initial seminars, the spotlight was on four family wineries in Barolo. “You get to kick off your day with four glasses of Barolo,” shared Barbara Sandrone, who represented Luciano Sandrone, the winery established by her father. “That’s quite special. That’s a remarkable Friday.” Sandrone reflected on her father, who passed away in 2023, and how he transitioned from the family trade of carpentry to create his own winery, where he made wines that truly reflected his unique style. Giuseppe Vaira of G.D. Vajra and Federica Boffa Pio of Pio Cesare talked about their commitment to carrying on their family legacies, despite the hurdles faced in the wine industry. Shortly before the Barolo seminar, wine luminary Hugh Davies recounted the story of his parents, a youthful couple who relocated from Southern California to Napa Valley in the 1960s. They decided to create wine at the somewhat neglected Schram Estate, leading to the establishment of Schramsberg, a key player in America’s sparkling wine scene. While wine has often been labeled as bottled poetry, it encompasses much more, akin to an entire novel. Wine personality and sportscaster Jim Nantz, who has been developing his wine brand The Calling in California since 2012, pointed out that his career has fundamentally revolved around storytelling, a sentiment that resonates with many in the winemaking craft. The seminars illuminated the various narratives that wine can convey. One captivating tale was that of Greg Brewer, a notable figure in the wine industry, who initially entered a tasting room job unaware that Chardonnay was a grape variety. His journey soon transformed him into a passionate winemaker in Santa Barbara County. Another interesting narrative showcases the Malbec grape in Argentina. Once an undervalued import from Bordeaux, Paul Hobbs arrived in Mendoza during the 1980s, discovering its potential alongside his team at Viña Cobos. With thoughtful farming practices in ideal locations, they unveiled the grape’s ability to yield exceptional wines. The narrative of a particular place is exemplified by E. Guigal in the Côte-Rôtie, where steep, rocky cliffs cascade above the Rhône River. For three generations, the Guigal family has intricately nurtured these hills, distinguishing the unique traits of the schist, iron, and manganese soils that contribute to their treasured “La La” single-vineyard wines. For Chris Carpenter, winemaker at Lokoya, his narrative unfolds in the mountainous regions of Napa Valley. Here, he crafts Cabernet Sauvignon that tells a remarkably different story from the wines crafted on the valley floor. Similarly, for the esteemed Bordeaux second growth, Château Léoville Las Cases, the narrative centers around L’Enclos, the vineyard, situated gently uphill from the Gironde River, which may very well be the most splendid location to cultivate Bordeaux wine. The narrative of wine families is rich and inspiring. Albiera Antinori, as the 26th generation in her family’s wine legacy and the first female CEO, represented her family’s renowned wine company on stage. Meanwhile, Erwan Faiveley shared insights on how he and his sister Eve, being the seventh generation at their Burgundy estate, strive to advance their family’s winery. Carlo Mondavi, associated with RAEN, reflected on a formative trip he took as a child to the wine regions of France and Italy with his grandfather, Robert Mondavi, which ignited his love for wine. Jean-Charles Cazes recounted how his great-grandfather, who was a baker in Pauillac, managed to purchase the renowned Château Lynch-Bages during the hardships of the Great Depression, and how each generation has built upon this legacy to enhance the estate. “Wine is a family endeavor,” remarked Catherine Kistler of Occidental. “Farming is a project that spans generations, a tradition that has endured for millennia.” The world of wine has the power to inspire individuals to create change. This was one of the motivations behind Nantz’s decision to establish The Calling alongside wine executive Peter Deutsch. A key part of this endeavor was to spotlight his philanthropic initiatives, notably the Nantz National Alzheimer Center, which he founded with assistance from the Houston Medical Center after Alzheimer’s affected his father. The Wine Experience is fundamentally a charitable initiative. This event thrives thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the winemakers who contribute all the wines for the weekend. Every net dollar from the event is directed to the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which has successfully obtained over $40 million in scholarships and grants to support individuals pursuing careers in the hospitality and wine sectors. Those benefitting from the foundation include students from Napa Valley College, the School of Viticulture & Enology at the University of California at Davis, The Roots Foundation, Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, World Central Kitchen, and the Culinary Institute of America, among others. Wine Spectator also honors those in the wine industry who contribute positively to both the sector and society. In 2016, Prince Robert de Luxembourg, co-proprietor of Domaine Clarence Dillon, discovered that his son Frederik had a rare PolG-related mitochondrial disease. “It turned life upside down,” recalls Robert. With Frederik’s support, Robert and his wife Julie established the PolG Foundation, aimed at advancing research to find a cure for mitochondrial PolG-related disorders. This research is poised to affect millions grappling with mitochondrial-related diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, autism, and certain forms of cancer, among others. Last year, the foundation distributed $3.5 million in grants towards achieving these objectives. On the final day of the Wine Experience, Wine Spectator honored Robert with the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to Domaine Clarence Dillon, which includes châteaus Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, and Quintus. It also encompasses the Clarendelle brand and a restaurant and wine shop in Paris, along with his charitable efforts at the PolG Foundation and as a co-founder of Cité du Vin, a cultural hub and wine museum that opened in Bordeaux in 2016. Robert’s mother, Joan Dillon, Duchesse de Mouchy, was honored with the award in 2005, marking Robert as the first second-generation recipient of the DSA. In his acceptance speech, Robert expressed, “When you have a passion for wine, you have a passion for sharing, and you have a passion for having an open heart to the outside world.” Concluding a busy schedule filled with seminars and the presentations of four new Grand Award winners in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards program, the weekend culminated in a reception showcasing various premium sparkling wines from Champagne, California, and Italy, along with a selection of distinguished whiskies curated by Whisky Advocate. Renowned restaurants from New York City offered small plates, creating a vibrant space where winemakers and enthusiasts exchanged cherished memories from the past three days. A recurring discussion throughout the weekend was the importance of engaging younger consumers with wine. Philippe Guigal highlighted the planting of his family’s fourth La La vineyard, La Reynarde (which was exclusively previewed at the Wine Experience), as both a legacy for his twin sons, Etienne and Charles, and a method to spark their interest in winemaking at a young age. Wine has the power to bring joy to a weekend, but it also serves as a bridge between people. During the acceptance speech for the 2023 Wine of the Year Award for Argiano’s Brunello di Montalcino 2018, CEO and winemaker Bernardino Sani emphasized the significance of sharing a passion for wine and its ability to unite generations. “My father introduced me to the world of wine, guiding me on how to pair it with food from a young age,” Sani reflected. “He instilled in me the cultural importance of wine and the joy it brings when shared with friends and family. We need to educate younger enthusiasts that wine is about creating cherished moments. It’s about connection. It offers a way to explore the world; even when travel isn’t possible, a great bottle of wine can transport you to different places. It helps keep traditions, histories, and cultures vibrant. I believe it is our responsibility now.” The Wine Experience is set to return to New York City from October 18–21, 2025. —With reporting by Kenny Martin. October 25, 2024 October 25, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 25, 2024 October 25, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 24, 2024 About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine