We could not hold this conference and offer such an unbelievably low price to participants without the support of our sponsors and partners. Please take the time to read about them below. We will be adding more as the planning progresses!
- For sponsor information, please contact Reno Walsh at 888.758.8687 ext: 704 or sponsor@zephyrconferences.com. In your email, please mention “Wine Bloggers Conference” as we also run other conferences.
- Interested in pouring your Red or White/Rosé wine at our Live Wine Blogging events during WBC18? Click here for more information and to register.
- Please note we discourage events not included in the official agenda for a variety of reasons: they often are invite only, which is against the spirit of the WBC; if planned during the WBC they pull from our scheduled events; and they take advantage of the WBC’s gathered bloggers without supporting the conference itself. If you have an idea for an event before, during, or after the conference, please contact us to discuss sponsorship.
- If you would like to host a future Wine Bloggers Conference, please complete our Host Application.
Below are some of our 2018 Sponsors:
Elite
Visit Walla Walla is the Destination Marketing Organization that promotes the city and region of Walla Walla. Originally known as an agricultural hub and specifically for Walla Walla onions, the region now boasts over 120 wineries and is known as a wine destination. Visit Walla Walla is our main local host partner.
Grand
Our connection with the land is inherent to the origin of the winery, named LAN after the first three letters of the three provinces in DOCa Rioja: Logroño, Alava and Navarra. Our innovative character is forged in each of the wines we make, based on our principles to treat our grapes with the utmost care, preserving their properties in each and every stage of the winemaking and aging process. Each of our wines shows respect for the land it comes from. LAN means respect for the history of this land. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Cadaretta Winery was established in 2005 by The Middleton Family. It is an award winning boutique winery with production less than 4000 cases. Much of the fruit for their wine is sourced from their own estate vineyard Southwind which is a hillside vineyard in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Southwind Vineyards is known for its ancient soils (above the Missoula Flood line) of fractured basalt. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Cascade Valley Wine Country is all about the incredible, small, family-run wineries in Lake Chelan, Leavenworth and the Wenatchee Valley… only 2.5 hours from Seattle. These hidden gems are open year round so whatever fun activities you have planned throughout the year biking, skiing, boating, hiking, shopping…you will always find a new award winning winery to try. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @CVWCWines, and Instagram.
Cheeses of Europe is a campaign led by the dairy farmers and cheese producers of France. Ever wonder why some cheeses are cave-aged? Or perhaps you would like to taste a cheese that’s so rich, it was once used as currency in 18th century Europe? From the salty breezes of Normandie to the wild flowers of the Rhone-Alpes, explore the flavor and tradition of French Cheeses. And learn the secrets of how to make any dish, recipe or occasion manifique! Find out more by visiting us at cheesesofeurope.com or following us @cheesesofeurope.
Consorzio Tutela Lugana was established in 1990, as an institute for the supervision, the defense and the promotion of the Lugana wine, highlighting the qualities of the denomination and its protection. Find them on Facebook and Twitter at @VinoLuganaDoc.
The wines of Gloria Ferrer, while always well received, particularly by the critics, have continued to improve over 30 growing seasons. The family legacy of uncompromising quality is passed down through generations. The Pinot Pedigree born of decades nurturing our Sonoma Carneros Estate vineyards. The patience-testing méthode champenoise process of aging and blending is paramount. It’s all coming together in the perfect blend of savor and celebrate. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @GloriaFerrer, and Instagram.
Main Street Drivers has perfected the “YOUR CAR + OUR DRIVER” concept. Our designated driving and DWI prevention services has been voted “Best Car/Limo Service” for 2017 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 Our ability to spot and embrace unique up and coming wine regions has made us one of the largest, most reliable and also the least expensive wine touring services in the country. On average, we save our clients well over 50% on their wine touring transportation costs. Our drivers are all professional, knowledgeable and well-versed in the highest levels of Walla Walla wines and customer service. Join them on a Sunday drive excursion to visit these wineries and more: Solemn Cellars, Watermill Winery, Va Piano Winery, Pepperbridge Winery, Amavi Cellars, Saviah Cellars, Revelry Vintners, Castillo De Feliciana and Balboa/Beresan Winery. Find them on Facebook, Yelp, Instagram and Twitter at @MainStDrivers.
Denomination of Origin (DO) Rías Baixas is renowned for the Albariño grape, an indigenous variety that produces some of the world’s foremost white wines. Located in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain, the DO was formally established in 1988. Albariño has always been the flagship of this coastal region. In Rías Baixas’ unique climate, it shares the same mineral-rich soils and cool climate as the world’s other renowned white wine-producing regions, including France’s Loire Valley, New Zealand, and the Rhine region of Germany. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @riasbaixaswines, and Instagram.
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a non-profit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. The Wine Alliance functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @WWValleyWine, and Instagram.
Premier
Cathedral Ridge Winery is an award-winning craft winery in the Columbia Gorge specializing in Rhine, Rhone, Bordeaux and Burgundy varietals all grown within 25 miles. Experience fine Oregon wines from grape to glass. We offer many wine-related experiences including Wine tasting, Barrel Tastings, Cellar Tours, Picnicking, and Corporate Events.
In 1976, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards, which became one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries. Fundamental to our tradition was the early decision to focus on the production of Merlot, as Dan Duckhorn fell in love with the soft, supple character of merlot. In 2017, Wine Spectator named the 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard, the number one wine of the year. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @duckhornwine, and Instagram
Force Majeure is a winery located in Washington State, specializing in estate-grown, single-vineyard Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines. Since 2014 the Force Majeure wines have been meticulously crafted by by former Bryant Family Vineyard Winemaker Todd Alexander. From its inception, Force Majeure has been defined by unwavering commitment to outstanding viticulture and exemplary winemaking. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @forcemvineyards, and Instagram
The National Wine Institute is the official body for viticulture in Uruguay. Uruguay is a country of small-scale, family-owned wineries with a European winemaking tradition, producing dynamic and award-winning wines. An ideal geographic location –similar to some of the most exciting New World wine producing countries- and its coastal Atlantic climate -often compared to Bordeaux’s- let the country produce wines with well-balanced levels of alcohol and acidity. Modern winemaking began in the 18th century when the Basque immigrants brought vines to the region. Today, 180 wineries produce 10 million cases of wine annually from its 20,000 acres of vines. Tannat is the country’s flagship, a robust grape with high levels of polyphenols & resveratrol that the world is increasingly discovering and assessing. Exports are growing as wineries focus on international markets, and wines are being demanded by importers and retailers throughout the world with a general consensus that Uruguayan wines can comfortably compete on a world stage.
Lustau is considered the foremost reference and the benchmark of quality when talking about Sherry in the wine world. Thanks to an extensive range of fine selected wines, the “boutique” concept was introduced into the Sherry category aimed on emphasizing the value of these wines as enological gems, while ensuring their accessibility to consumers. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @BodegasLustau, YouTube, and Instagram.
Charles Smith has received 110 scores of 95 points and above, and more than 416 scores of 90 points and above, from the leading wine publications (Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator & Wine Enthusiast). The only Washington winery to place two wines in the Top 20 of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list. Find them on Twitter at @kickasswawine and Instagram.
Housed in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse depicted on its label, L’Ecole has earned international acclaim for producing expressive, distinctive wines that reflect the unmistakable typicity of Washington State and the unique terroir of their Walla Walla Valley estate vineyards. In 2014, London’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) named L’Ecole’s Ferguson Best Bordeaux Blend in the World over £15. Most recently the winery was awarded USA Today’s 2018 Reader’s Choice award as one of the country’s Top 10 tasting rooms. In addition to Clubb, wife Megan Clubb and their children Riley Clubb and Rebecca Olson serve on L’Ecole’s board of directors. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @lecole41, YouTube, and Instagram.
Loosen Bros. USA is a fine wine import company committed to representing winemakers and estates from around the world who are at the pinnacle of their respective regions, with a primary focus on Riesling and Pinot Noir. The estates we represent have a long history of superior quality, with a deep respect for the land and the traditions of their regions, but also the vision to be innovative and progressive for the future.
In 2012 Dennis Cakebread, of the Cakebread Cellars family in Napa, California, embarked upon a new Washington wine project. Drawn to the high quality wines and the camaraderie of the Walla Walla community, he set out to make a world-class wine that embodies both the rich history and terroir of the Northwest. Inspired by Lieutenant John Mullan who built the first wagon road into eastern Washington in 1862, Mullan Road Cellars celebrates the pioneering spirit with each wine it blends. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Red Mountain AVA is located on a southwest-facing slope in south central Washington, a three and one-half hour drive from Seattle. At 4040 acres (1,635 hectares), this is the smallest, warmest wine-grape growing region in Washington. It has a unique combination of diverse geology, gentle south slope, consistent winds and notable heat profile. A complex mixture of the most rare and highly valued soil types in Washington was created by wind-blown silt and sand over glacial outflow. The AVA’s red wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are highly prized for creating wines of superb concentration and depth, which consistently earn critical acclaim.
Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 38 destinations. It is administered by the Sacramento County Department of Airports, which is responsible for planning, developing, operating, and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport, and Franklin Field. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Airport System is more than $4 billion annually. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @SacIntlAirport.
Welcome to the Tri-Cities! Located at the confluence of the Yakima, Snake, and mighty Columbia Rivers, the Tri-Cities offers spectacular opportunities for conventions, sports tournaments, and leisure travel in the Heart of Washington Wine Country! Visit TRI-CITIES goal is economic development through tourism–which is the recruitment of new visitor dollars into our community. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @TriCitiesWA, YouTube, and Instagram.
The Yakima Valley is the first, largest and most diverse wine growing region in Washington state. It produces nearly half of Washington State’s wine and cultivates as much diversity and quality as any agricultural region on Earth. Apples, cherries, peaches, nectarines, pears, and more fill a rich cornucopia. Completing this bounty is a remarkable spectrum of world-class wine grapes. The Yakima Valley AVA now cultivates more than 17,000 acres of vineyards. Yakima and Benton counties are home to more than 152 wineries, and collectively they make up more than half of the wine production in Washington State. Find them on Facebook and Twitter at @yakimaava.
Expo
Since 2010, Avennia has produced many of Washington’s finest wines from some of the best vineyards around. Built on the successes and talents of Winemaker Chris Peterson (formerly of DeLille Cellars) and Managing Partner Marty Taucher, Avennia has reached a semi-cult status in a short amount of time, focusing on Rhône and Bordeaux varieties. Using Old World winemaking techniques coupled with New World vineyard sources, they are able to craft elegant, balanced wines that will last for years to come. Find them on Facebook and Twitter at @avenniawinery.
Columbia Winery has been discovering and celebrating Washington wine for over 50 years. Today, Winemaker Sean Hails blends classic traditions with innovative winemaking techniques to craft a distinct collection of Washington wines. Columbia Winery’s unrelenting curiosity and trailblazing heritage are reflected in thegrape selection philosophy of premier vineyard sites within the Columbia Valley and its acclaimed AVAs, including Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley and Wahluke Slope. With a tasting room located just outside Seattle and a winery in Eastern Washington, Columbia Winery embodies Washington’s welcoming spirit, rich diversity and exceptional wines. Find them on Twitter at @ColumbiaWinery and Instagram. #columbiawinery
From the very first harvest in 1994, the Fries family marveled at the intensely concentrated fruit produced by their Desert Wind Vineyard–fruit perfect for crafting wines with immense structure and aging potential. In 2001, the family introduced Desert Wind wines in order to showcase this exceptional vineyard through its own wine brand. The original lineup consisted of just four offerings–an elegant Semillon and three refined reds, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and their flagship red blend known as Ruah, each with 3-5 years of barrel aging. In recent years, Desert Wind’s lineup has expanded to include many additional varietals, many of which are available only to wine club members or through the tasting room and website. However, the commitment to producing finely crafted, age-worthy red wines and terroir-driven white wines remains the same. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @desertwindwine, and Instagram
Beautiful wine comes from a beautiful place. Mt. Beautiful wines are the expression of the wild, rugged and breathtakingly scenic region of North Canterbury. Certified-sustainable and estate-grown, these distinctively restrained wines let the pure terroir shine through. Only seven miles from the ocean, the vineyards are protected from harsh sea winds by their benevolent namesake, Mt. Beautiful. World-renowned scholar/entrepreneur and New Zealand native David Teece, together with his wife Leigh, spent two years searching for just this spot, where they could pioneer an undiscovered region and fulfill their dream of bringing the best of New Zealand to the world. Mt. Beautiful is the first vineyard of a commercial size to be planted outside of an established New Zealand region in 20 years. In addition to winemaking, Mt. Beautiful operates three farms that produce wool for the Smartwool market, beef for the Japan market and high country lamb for the U.S. market. In central Cheviot locals and travelers can enjoy a diverse menu featuring local wines, produce, meats and cheeses at the Mt. Beautiful Two Rivers Café & Wine Tasting Room, open daily. For additional information please visit www.mtbeautiful.co.nz. Find them on Facebook, Twitter at @MtBeautifulNZ, and Instagram
The Sonic Decanter® is the result of decades of designing and engineering products for space, industry, medical uses and consumer beverages. That experience and a passion for great tasting wine is the result. The Sonic Decanter® uses safe but effective ultrasonic energy to “MAKE EVERY WINE BETTER!” Find them on Twitter at @SonicDecanter.
For nearly 40 years, William Hill Estate Winery has been offering rich and expressive Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux wines from select vineyards in Napa Valley and the California coast. Our collection of wines are rooted in the character of the unique, rolling hills of our 200-acre estate in the heart of the Silverado Bench in Napa Valley, crafted through the vision of winemaker Mark Williams, thoughtful vineyard planning and meticulous attention in the cellar. Find them on Facebook. #williamhillestate #williamhill
Event
Play with your wine! Taste, play, learn. A simple app that turns any bottle into a multiple-choice blind tasting game. Download the app, it’s free! Find them on Facebook, Twitter @theWineGame, Instagram, and YouTube.
Partner
As a proud sponsor of the Wine Bloggers Conference, Delectable is delighted to provide attendees with a seamless social media platform for taking notes and sharing thoughts throughout the weekend. Check out the Featured section of the app during the conference for a full listing of events plus a handy record of each wine being served. You can also share your thoughts via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter by selecting their icons when rating a wine on Delectable. #WBC18 via @Delectable.
Live Wine Blogging
Red Wine
- Armstrong Family Winery @armstrongwinery
- Bookwalter Winery @jbookwalterwine
- Brooks Wines @brookswinery
- DAMA Wines @WinesDama
- Dunham Cellars @dunhamcellars
- E & J Gallo @gallocareers
- Frank Family Vineyards @FrankFamilyWine
- Fullerton Wines @fullertonwines
- Gino Cuneo Cellars
- INAVI
- L’Ecole No 41 @lecole41
- Legende @TFSelections
- Loosen Bros. USA @drloosenwines
- Mansion Creek Cellars @MansionCreek
- Maryhill Winery @MaryhillWinery
- Missouri Wine & Grape Board @MissouriWines
- Mullan Road Cellars @mullanrdcellars
- Otis Kenyon Wine @otiskenyonwine
- Precept Wine @brownefamilyvineyards
- REININGER Winery @REININGERwinery
- Rodney Strong Vineyards @rsvineyards
- Tero Estates @TEROEstates
- Tertulia Cellars @tertuliacellars
- Troon Vineyard @TroonWines
- Woodward Canyon Winery @WoodwardCanyon
White Wine
- Barnard Griffin @BarnardGriffin
- Bookwalter Winery @jbookwalterwine
- Brooks Wines @brookswinery
- Cadaretta Winery @Cadaretta
- Cascade Valley Wine Country @CVWCWines
- Consorzio Lugana DOC @VinoLuganaDoc
- Desert Wind @desertwindwine
- Frank Family Vineyards @FrankFamilyWine
- Gard Vintners @gardvintners
- Gloria Ferrer @GloriaFerrer
- INAVI
- L’Ecole No 41 @lecole41
- Loosen Bros. USA @drloosenwines
- Maryhill Winery @MaryhillWinery
- Otis Kenyon Wine @otiskenyonwine
- Rodney Strong Vineyards @rsvineyards
- Troon Vineyard @TroonWines
- Yealands @yealands
Conference Organizer
Your conference organizer is Zephyr Conferences. In addition to the WBC, Zephyr Conferences also organizes the Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference plus the International Food Blogger Conference, Beer Now Conference, and Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference.
Zephyr Adventures (@ZephyrAdventure), our sister company, operates trekking, hiking, biking, and multi-sport tours throughout the world. Zephyr’s active wine tours specialize in getting travelers up close and personal with not just the wineries but the vineyards of the world. In addition to Zephyr’s active tours, Taste Vacations runs beer, wine, and food tours around the world which leave the physical activity at home.