"[The IPNC] was a great opportunity to meet like minded people, vignerons and consumers, in such a fun, relaxed atmosphere."
-Jean-Marie and Vicki Fourrier, Domaine Jean Marie Fourrier
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WINERY PARTICIPATION
The IPNC is honored to host top Pinot Noir producers from around the world. The exchange of ideas between international winemakers and the comeraderie shared by all participants are two distinctive elements that set IPNC apart from other wine events. Since 1987, the IPNC has hosted 190 winemakers from France, 39 winemakers from New Zealand, 19 from Australia, 12 from Italy, 9 from Germany, 7 from Switzerland, 8 from Canada, 6 from Chile, 5 from Austria, 3 from South Africa, and one each from Argentina, England, Israel and Spain for a total of 302 foreign wineries!
The IPNC hopes to introduce participants to the outstanding quality and diversity of Pinot Noir now being produced around the world. The Celebration is designed to give maximum opportunity for casual interaction between the featured winemakers and attending guests. Due to the confines of the venue and our commitment to maintaining the event's informality, we are limited in the number of wineries we can feature. Approximately seventy Pinot Noir producers are featured each year. Foreign wineries fill about half of the total number of featured winery slots. Invitations are sent to foreign wineries in the fall and winter months. Due to the increased interest in participation, the IPNC endeavors to annually invite a slate of first-time participating wineries.
The IPNC's goal is to select a slate of wineries by focusing on quality, both of the individual wines presented and the event as a whole, as the principal criterion. Quality will also be the dominant factor in the determination of the number, and distribution of participating wineries. Secondarily, the theme and focus of the program will influence selection, number, and regional distribution of wineries. Several other factors are also taken into account, such as region, diversity, participation history and size.
Expression of Interest
If you are interested in participating as a featured winery, please fill out the attached form so the IPNC may consider your winery for participation in future Celebrations. Please return the form via fax to 503.472.1785, or via email to brian@ipnc.org. We request that all submission documents arrive no later than the December 10, 2012 deadline.
Foreign Winery Interest Form
Bottle Sample Submission
While the IPNC does not solicit samples from wineries outside of Oregon, wine submissions from other regions are gladly accepted and will certainly be included in the tasting and selection process. Two bottles of the same wine may be sent to:
IPNC Wine Selection
410 NE Third St., Suite 5
McMinnville, OR 97128
Please note, these instructions refer to the 2013 winery selection. All samples must arrive by December 10, 2012. Please do not send your submissions before September 1, 2012. There can be no exceptions to the December deadline, as the tasting panel will meet soon after that date. Samples must be from the 2010 or 2011 vintage. Please limit your submission to ONE selection, as only one wine per winery will be reviewed. Samples must be finished and bottled (barrel samples will not be accepted). A winery must produce at least 500 cases of Pinot Noir annually (as of the current calendar year) and should have produced at least three commercially available vintages of Pinot Noir.
Thank you for your interest in the International Pinot Noir Celebration.
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to call the office at 503.472.8964 or email info@ipnc.org.