The News
Volcanic Wines International (VWI) is hosting the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in New York City. The event will feature producers from Etna, Santorini, the Canary Islands, Hungary, Pantelleria, and Lake County, among others. Attendees will participate in masterclasses and tastings focused on volcanic terroirs, with specific seminars on Soave, Etna, Hungary, the Canary Islands, and Lazio. The conference will also announce a new Volcanic Origin certification by Vinora association of Auvergne.
The Takeaway
- Volcanic Terroir Spotlight: The conference highlights how volcanic regions like Etna and Santorini are gaining attention for their distinct wines, with specific seminars on Soave, Hungary, and the Canary Islands. This focus helps elevate these niche areas within the broader wine market.
- Certification Launch: The event will officially announce a new Volcanic Origin certification by Vinora association of Auvergne, which could help standardize and promote volcanic wines in the U.S., giving them more credibility with buyers and consumers.
- New York as Wine Hub: Hosting the conference in New York, the largest wine market in the U.S., gives producers a rare chance to connect directly with influential buyers and sommeliers. This positioning helps bring global volcanic wines into one of the most important markets for distribution and education.
Original Press Release
NEW YORK, NY – March 23, 2026 – Volcanic Wines International (VWI) is proud to announce the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference (IVWC), taking place on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in New York City.
Now in its fifth edition, the conference has established itself as a leading platform dedicated to wines grown in volcanic soils. The event brings together producers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and wine educators for a full day of tastings and educational sessions exploring the distinctive character of volcanic terroirs.
Hosted in New York City—the largest and most influential wine market in the United States—the conference offers a rare opportunity to experience wines from volcanic regions across the globe in a single setting. Participating producers represent renowned volcanic wine territories including Etna, Santorini, the Canary Islands, Hungary, Pantelleria, and Lake County, among others.
Throughout the day, attendees will participate in a series of masterclasses and guided tastings highlighting the diversity of volcanic soils and their influence on grape varieties and wine styles. The 2026 program features dedicated seminars exploring volcanic wines from Soave, Etna, Hungary, the Canary Islands, and the Lazio region of Italy, offering wine professionals an in-depth look at some of the world’s most distinctive terroirs. The conference will also host the official U.S. announcement of the new Volcanic Origin certification created by the Vinora association of Auvergne, France, designed to recognize authentic expressions from volcanic regions worldwide.
In addition to the educational program, the conference will feature a Grand Tasting, where exhibiting wineries will present their wines to a curated audience of sommeliers, buyers, importers, educators, and members of the media.
Earlier this year, Volcanic Wines International announced a landmark media partnership with JancisRobinson.com for the Volcanic Wine Awards, an international competition celebrating outstanding wines from volcanic regions around the world.
Award-winning wines will be featured on JancisRobinson.com and will be celebrated in a dedicated space during the International Volcanic Wines Conference in New York City on June 10, 2026.
“At JancisRobinson.com we are always looking to spotlight wines that show a strong sense of place,” commented Tara Q Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com. “Volcanic regions produce some of the most characterful wines in the world, and this partnership helps bring greater attention to these remarkable terroirs.”
“For sommeliers and buyers, volcanic wines offer an opportunity to explore some of the most compelling expressions of terroir in the world,” said John Szabo, MS, co-founder of Volcanic Wines International. “Their energy, structure, and clear sense of origin make them wines that stand out on a wine list and spark curiosity among professionals and consumers alike.”
“Today more than ever, the wine world needs compelling stories that reconnect wine lovers with place and identity,” said Gino Colangelo, President of Colangelo & Partners and partner in Volcanic Wines International. “Volcanic wines offer exactly that—dramatic landscapes, ancient soils, and wines with unmistakable character—creating a powerful narrative for a category with growing relevance for the wine world.”
Source: BevNET