Decanter Fine Wine Encounter NYC 2026: The place to be
A look back at highlights of DFWE NYC 2026, Decanter's fifth global wine event in the Empire State, showcasing some of the world’s best wines – and winemakers.
The hottest ticket in the Big Apple this past Saturday wasn’t on Broadway, or even a prime seat at a sports bar to watch the New York Knicks take a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals series.
Those in the know – all 500 of them – were 60 floors up at Manhatta for the fifth annual Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York City (DFWE NYC).
Now firmly established as Manhattan’s greatest world wine event, this Empire State iteration of Decanter’s renowned global events series brought together a Grand Tasting of 30 Gold, Platinum and Best in Show medal-winners from the Decanter World Wine Awards as well as more than 200 premium wines from 55 producers.
Our star-studded line up of Masterclasses featured Salon & Delamotte Champagnes, SuperTuscans and Heitz Cellar, while the unique experience of dining with world-class producers themselves ensured our exclusive Winemakers' Lunches sold out almost instantly.
With panoramic views of the city skyline and across New York Harbor to the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Tasting room is the heart of the event, where each of the 50 stands was invited to showcase one special wine, either an old vintage or a large-format bottle – and often both – to share with guests.
Guests tasted throughout the day using glassware from Riedel, a fitting partner for an event celebrating fine wine, where presentation and tasting conditions are an important part of the experience.
Highlights of DFWE NYC 2026 included the Eola-Amilty Hills table, which welcomed several winery principals from this Willamette Valley AVA in Oregon, and similar regional tables from both Switzerland and Castilla y Léon in Spain.
Attendees enjoying the DWWA Winners Bar, where 30 Best in Show, Platinum and Gold winners from the 2025 competition were available to taste.
In-depth tastings of icon wines
Away from the buzz and bustle of the Grand Tasting, our Masterclass room – with spectacular dual-aspect vistas – offered 75 attendees in each of three sold-out sessions the chance for a more in-depth look at a producer, region or wine style, with a guided tasting of eight to 10 exclusive cuvées, presented by renowned experts.
To start the day on a sparkling note, Cristian Rimoldi of sister Champagne houses Salon and Delamotte, along with Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier, took a deep dive into the world of Blanc de Blancs, tasting five cuvées each from these very different properties, back to Salon 1997.
Next, one of Decanter’s key Italian wine specialists, Michaela Morris, and Decanter’s Italy Editor, James Button, joined forces to present eight SuperTuscans – two each from leading producers Antinori, Isole e Olena, Fontodi and Bibi Graetz – to show the evolution of styles and approaches of these iconic IGTs.
Ending DFWE NYC 2026 on a historic note, Master Sommelier and Heitz Cellar CEO Carlton McCoy was joined by Decanter’s Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi to take guests through 10 Heitz Cellar Cabernets through the decades, including the 1985 and 1979 vintages from Martha’s Vineyard.
Italian wine specialist Michaela Morris and Decanter's Italy Editor James Button host the SuperTuscan Masterclass at DFWE NYC 2026.
Read all about it: Full masterclass reports from DFWE NYC 2026
- Salon & Delamotte
- Super Tuscans
- Heitz Cellar
Dr Laura Catena (centre, with red beret) hosts an intimate Winemaker Lunch for seven guests, pouring three exclusive wines not available in the main Grand Tasting.
Meet the winemakers in person
Apart from the wines, of course, the biggest drawcard to all Decanter Fine Wine Encounters is the chance for attendees to speak with the winemakers and winery owners themselves.
And what better way than to sit down for an intimate meal with them, sharing three exclusive bottles at our Decanter Winemakers' Lunches.
This year Dr Laura Catena, fourth-generation winemaker and Managing Director of Catena Zapata in Argentina hosted an oversubscribed lunch for seven lucky guests, who enjoyed her Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2023, Argentino Malbec 2005 and the icon Nicolás Catena Zapata 2004 in magnum.
Katie Vogt, winemaker at Pahlmeyer in Napa Valley, hosted the other sell-out lunch for six guests, alongside Decanter's Napa expert Jonathan Cristaldi. She poured her Savoir Faire Chardonnay 2024, Right Bank 2023 and Pièce de Résistance 2023.
In the Grand Tasting, several other winemakers and owners generously took time out of their busy schedules to fly over for the DFWE NYC 2026, pour wines and chat at length with guests.
We thank, and look forward to seeing again: Louise Grillet (Veuve Clicquot), Olive Hamilton Russell (Hamilton Russell Oregon), Luke Evnin (Annulus Cellars), Jeff Mangahas (Williams Selyem), Dan Petroski (Massican), Adam Lowy (Cloudsley Cellars), Emma Garner (Thirty Bench), Gabriel Mustakis (San Pedro), Zvonimir Jurkovic (Poderi Luigi Einaudi), Alberto Moretti Cuseri (Tenuta Sette Ponti) and Rodrigo Costa (Taboadella).
Revisit the wines discovered
One of the pleasures of DFWE is the opportunity to taste wines that are often difficult to find in one place. For guests looking to revisit a favourite bottle from the day, premium wine retailer Millesima has curated a dedicated Decanter Fine Wine Encounter collection featuring a selection of wines showcased at the event.
The collection is designed to make it easier for attendees to source memorable wines encountered during the Grand Tasting and masterclasses. As an additional benefit, there's also access to a limited-time offer through the collection.
Browse the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter collection at Millesima here.
One of many breathtaking views from Manhatta, from city skyline vistas to a clear view of the celebrated Statue of Liberty.
The DWWA Winners' Bar celebrated excellence in style, offering guests a taste of the 2025 competition’s top wines.
Guests exploring 30 top-scoring wines from across the globe at the DWWA Winners' Bar.
The event's lunch menu was thoughtfully paired with wines from Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association (Oregon) and Château Suduiraut (France).
A seasonal menu by Manhatta was carefully curated, adding to the day's experiences available.
Cristian Rimondi (left), Export Director for Champagne Salon and Champagne Delamotte, and Pascaline Lepeltier (right), Master Sommelier and Best French Sommelier 2028, led a sold-out masterclass with a long waitlist, guiding guests through 10 wines back to 1997.
No successful masterclass is complete without premium glassware from Riedel, who kindly sponsored the glasses throughout the event.
San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna kindly kept guests refreshed throughout the event and between tastings.
Decanter contributor and DWWA Regional Chair for Piedmont Michaela Morris (left) and James Button (right), Decanter's Regional Editor for Italy, led the Super Tuscans masterclass.
A stellar lineup of eight Super Tuscan wines from four highly regarded producers – Marchesi Antinori, Isole e Olena, Fontodi, and Bibi Graetz, with vintages ranging from 2006 to 2021.
Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy (left), CEO of Heitz Cellar and Lawrence Wine Estates portfolio, and Jonathan Cristaldi (right), Decanter’s Napa Correspondent, led a masterclass featuring 10 vintages from Heitz's three estate, including Martha's Vineyard 1979.
The fully booked Heitz Cellar masterclass, where guests discovered how terroir, winemaking and time shape world-class Napa Valley Cabernet.
The sound of popping corks marked the start of the VIP Party, with Champagne Laurent-Perrier setting the tone for an unforgettable celebration of fine wine.
A vibrant atmosphere as guests enjoyed the views and wines at the Grand Tasting.
And that's a wrap! Counting down the days to Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York 2027 in June.
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