International Volcanic Wine Conference a Success with Full Roster of Producers and Exceptional Attendance

International Volcanic Wine Conference a Success with Full Roster of Producers and Exceptional Attendance

With a sold-out schedule of masterclass seminars and a full complement of producers in a standing-room-only grand tasting, the 3rd edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference, created by Colangelo & Partners and Master Sommelier John Szabo, was a hit in 2023 and will continue on in 2024.

John Szabo, Master Sommelier, and award-winning author, in concert with Volcanic Wines International (VWI) and Colangelo & Partners, is excited to share the results of this year’s edition of the Volcanic Wine Conference. 2023 marks the 3rd edition of the conference after taking a 3-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The sold-out winery participation and standing-room-only attendance for the master class seminars point to an ever-growing interest in this unique category of wines.

In attendance at this year’s conference were 44 producers pouring 152 wines from 18 distinct volcanic regions; this represents the single largest showing of wines grown in volcanic soil in the world. More than 300 members of the press and trade attended. As consumers and members of the trade continue to search for more site specificity when it comes to selecting wines, Volcanic Wines International’s ongoing mission is to highlight the ancient geological conditions and forces at play beneath these vineyards and regions. This year’s exclusive media partner,Wine & Spirits Magazine, and water sponsor Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water along with the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University added to the success of the event.

Exhibiting wineries, wine companies, and wine trade groups this year included Alberelli di Giodo, Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Athenee Importers, Azienda Agricola Elena Fucci, Azienda Agricola San Teodoro, Azores Wine Company, Bosco de Medici, Brassfield Estate, Cantina Colli Euganei, Cantine del Notaio, Cottanera, Dancing Crow Vineyards, Domaine Sigalas, Donnafugata Wine Estate, Duca di Salaparuta, Estate Argyros, Firriato, Ga’ia Winery, Grand Tokaj, Graziano Pra’, Hamel Family Wines, Inama, La Guardiense, The Lake County Wine Grape Commission, Massimo Lentsch, Neri, Nicosia, Obsidian Wine Co., Pasqua, Passopisciaro, Pietradolce, Planeta, Santo Wines, Sassotondo, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Sol Rouge, Suavia, Tascante – Tasca d’Almerita, Tenimenti Leone, Tenuta di Castellaro, Terra Costantino, Tornatore, Tsiakkas Winery, Vinea Ardua Vineyards, Weingut Krispel, Wild Diamond Vineyards, Winebow, and Wines of Santorini

With the success of this year’s conference all parties involved in the creation of the conference, including John Szabo MS, and Volcanic Wines International are excited to announce that the Conference will be held again in 2024 with several attendees already signed on for next year.
John Szabo kicked off the full day of seminars with an overview of the Volcanic Wine Movement, citing the millions of years of geological events necessary for the creation of these truly unique regions. He went on to underscore the truly extreme conditions under which many of the producers represented at the conference make wine and the importance of recognizing these wines as a singular category with their own sought-after attributes.

Volcanic Wines International was established in 2018 in order to promote the establishment of a volcanic vines movement and provide educational and promotional opportunities for volcanic wine producers internationally. The first two editions of the International Volcanic Wine Conference (IVWC), organized by Volcanic Wines International were a catalyst and facilitator in bringing together the world’s volcanic regions. The success of the events has led to the creation of a “Volcanic Wine Brand,” defined as a unique category of wines produced under some of the most extreme viticultural conditions on the planet. This year’s attendance and participation from wineries from around the world indicate that this goal is coming to fruition.

“We want to thank all of our participating wineries, sponsors, and attendees for helping to make the 2023 conference the best one yet,” said Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners. “We’re excited to further explore the intriguing world of volcanic wines at the 2024 Volcanic Wine Conference.”
“We were thrilled to participate in the conference again this year and spotlight our producers from different volcanic regions,” said Ron Edwards, MS, Director of Wine Education at Winebow. “It was an honor to lead a workshop with the principals from Suavia, Gai’a and Nicosia and compare their insights and expertise – from the ancient volcanic soils of Soave to the reality of living on an active volcano in Sicily.”