Tickets for the in-person World of Pinot Noir –
March 3-5, 2022 in Santa Barbara – are officially on sale.
October 14, 2021 (Santa Barbara, Calif.) – The World of Pinot Noir (WOPN) is pleased to announce the foremost event dedicated to the celebration of Pinot Noir is returning to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara March 3-5, 2022 – in person, Zoom-free and featuring more than 200 premier Pinot Noir wineries from around the globe.
Tickets – including several new Weekend VIP Passport packages that include ocean-view lodging at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara seaside resort – will be available beginning Oct. 15 at worldofpinotnoir.com/tickets. Through October, WOPN is offering special pricing including a pair of Grand Tasting tickets for $200, and a $200 savings on a Weekend VIP Passport.
After going fully virtual in 2021, the upcoming in-person “reunion” is shaping up to be one the most exciting and delicious WOPN weekends in its 22-year history. And organizers, along with the Ritz-Carlton Bacara staff, are going to great lengths and initiating new protocols to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all guests.
For three days, there will be more than 20 different events and experiences for Pinot Noir-philes, including two Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday, exclusive wine-pairing dinners, tasting seminars and an opening night alfresco Reunion Party with a special musical guest.
This year will feature a delicious spotlight on Burgundy including an exclusive Domaine Henri Gouges tasting seminar led by David Glancy, MS, and founder of the San Francisco Wine School. And a deep-dive seminar and separate four-course pairing dinner spotlighting the greatest Village Burgundy wines ever produced, as well as the annual limited-seating Grand Crus Burgundy dinner.
Other highlights include the Kosta Brown 25th Anniversary Dinner featuring verticals and library pulls from the famed producer, as well as a retrospective tasting seminar of Garys’ Vineyards led by Matt Kettmann of Wine Enthusiast. The seminar will celebrate 20 years of the seminal Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard.
Adam Lee, founder of Siduri, will host a luncheon and tasting featuring the winemaker’s two newest labels, Clarice and Beau Marchais, his collaboration with Châteauneuf-du-Pape legend Philippe Cambie. And WOPN 2022 will see the event’s first ever West Coast blind tasting seminar that will differentiate and celebrate the diverse and wholly unique Pinot Noir regions stretching from Oregon to Santa Barbara.
Here is the full program for the upcoming the 22nd-annual World of Pinot Noir:
WEEKEND VIP PASSPORT LEVELS
Secure your all-access VIP Passport to the 2022 World of Pinot Noir with one of three exclusive levels. Upon purchasing, your personal WOPN concierge will reach out and work with you to create your ultimate weekend itinerary.
*[Please note: Due to the rare wines being poured at the Friday Henri Gouges tasting seminar, tickets will cost an additional $250 per guest for all VIP Passport Levels.]
OPENING NIGHT REUNION PARTY – Thursday, March 3 | 7pm
The World of Pinot Noir’s reunion soirée is already shaping up to be one of the most memorable in the event’s 22-year history. The feast and fête will feature Pinot Noir and bubbles from all over the world poured by America’s leading sommeliers, scrumptious fare from the chefs of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara and scores of famous winemakers in the crowd. Held throughout the airy Ballroom Foyer and outdoor Terrace, the evening will also highlight one of the world’s most acclaimed American Pinot Noir regions and include a very special musical guest – so bring your dancing shoes!
FRIDAY VIP GRAND TASTING – Friday, March 4 | 2pm-6pm
In addition to gaining early access to the Grand Tasting, VIPs will be given an exclusive guided tour led by the WOPN Sommelier Team, where they will introduce guests to winemakers and help navigate the 100 Pinot Noir producers in the ballroom. VIP guests also have exclusive access to three separate and private experiences held during the Grand Tasting, including vertical library tastings, blending seminars and more.
FRIDAY GRAND TASTING – Friday, March 4 | 2:30pm-6pm
Taste through hundreds of Pinot Noirs from around the world in the Ritz-Carlton Bacara's Grand Ballroom, which has been redesigned to provide a roomier tasting environment. Meet the winemakers, compare regional characteristics and find new favorites. You’ll also be able to bid on virtual silent auction lots and check the bidding from the app on your phone. Be sure to register early and preview the lots before arriving. Need a break and a palate cleanser? Nibble on fresh, local and seasonal wine country bites from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team.
WEST COAST BLIND TASTING CHALLENGE – Friday, March 4 | 9:30am-11:30am
This exciting blind tasting seminar will highlight, differentiate and celebrate the diverse and wholly unique Pinot Noir regions stretching from Oregon to Santa Barbara. Guests will have the chance to blind taste up to 12 wines that epitomize the marquee AVAs along the West Coast. A panel of experts will discuss the art of tasting blind then call for guesses. As each wine is revealed, the panel will provide the telltale characteristics for each region. Whether you’re a budding oenophile or a wine pro, you’ll walk away a fan and a master of West Coast Pinot Noir.
THE HENRI GOUGES TASTING – Friday, March 4 | 9:30am-11:30am
This limited-seating tasting will explore and celebrate the most renowned winery of the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Henri Gouges. The Gouges family has more than 400 years of grape growing history, and its namesake remains one of Burgundy’s most important pioneers. Organic since 2008, the wines will showcase Domaine Henri Gouges’ seven premier crus – which are considered the most exclusive sites in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
The wines include:
CLARICE + BEAU MARCHAIS LUNCHEON – Friday, March 4 | 12pm-2pm
Hosted by Adam Lee, founder of famed Siduri, this lively lunch will feature the wines of the winemaker’s latest labels, Clarice, and Beau Marchais, his joint venture with famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape winemaker and consultant, Philippe Cambie. Beginning with the world premiere of the Morét-Brealynn Rosé, Adam will host a three-course meal prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team that centers around vertical tastings of his wines, beginning with vintage 2017, from some of the most sought-after vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills AVAs. This gourmet pairing will include wines Jeb Dunnuck called "the best wine Adam Lee has ever made,” and Robb Report named to its Best of the Best list.
EXPLORE CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR FROM NORTH TO SOUTH WITH PATZ & HALL + FESS PARKER – Friday, March 4 | 12pm-2 pm
Two of California’s finest Pinot Noir producers will lead guests on a tasting tour of the most coveted vineyards across California at this walk-around lunch. Winemaker James Hall of Patz & Hall, founded in 1988, will present his favorite selections from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs, including wines from Hyde Vineyard, Chenoweth Ranch, Jenkins Hill, Gap’s Grown and Pisoni Vineyard. The family of Fess Parker, established in 1989, will pour their 2019 wines from Santa Barbara County’s most acclaimed sites, including Ashley’s, Sanford & Benedict and Bien Nacido Vineyards. Carefully paired with culinary bites prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara chef de cuisine this lunch will hit all the senses as you peer across the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
THE VILLAGE BURGUNDY DINNER – Friday, March 4 | 7pm
This spirited dinner will celebrate the most delicious, yet underrated wine in the world: Village Burgundy. The World of Pinot Noir Sommelier Team has spent the entire year tasting and handpicking their top Burgundy Village producers, wines and vintages for this dinner to prove that many Village Burgundy wines can go toe-to-toe with – and even best – some Premier and Grand Crus. Led by the same team that chose the wines, the sommeliers will discuss each wine as guests enjoy a paired five-course meal prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s chef de cuisine.
The wines include, among others:
KOSTA BROWNE 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER – Friday, March 4 | 7pm
The seminal American Pinot Noir producer marks its silver anniversary in 2022. To celebrate, the winery is curating a robust list of jaw-dropping library wines, marquee vintages and new releases to pair with a gourmet five-course meal crafted by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara’s chef de cuisine. Winemaker Julien Howsepian and the Kosta Browne team will host this once-in-a-lifetime fête and will touch on the winery’s history, speak to its future, and wow guests with some the most highly sought-after Pinot Noir in the New World.
THE SECRET GEMS OF BURGUNDY – Saturday, March 5 | 9:30am-11:30am
Underrated, unsung yet still amazing is the theme of this year’s Saturday Burgundy tasting seminar that will showcase a collection of preeminent Village Burgundy wines. Moving from north to south through Burgundy, an expert panel will take guests through eight marquee villages and/or communes, their must-know producers and wines. Guests will walk away with a deeper understanding of Burgundy’s imperfect classification system and how many Village Burgundy wines have come to equal and even surpass some pricier Premier and Grand Crus.
The wines include:
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF GARYS’ VINEYARD – Saturday, March 5 | 9:30am-11:30am
Founded two decades ago in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Garys’ Vineyard (so named, and punctuated, for its founders Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni) is considered a California Pinot Noir “grand cru” site, a jewel of Monterey County. Farmed today by the founders and their sons, top wineries throughout California come to the Santa Lucia Highlands to purchase the legendary Pinot Noir from Garys’ Vineyard. Led by Matt Kettmann, contributing editor of Wine Enthusiast, and a panel of winemakers, the seminar will delve into the history, explore the site’s unique terroir and feature a vertical retrospective tasting of wines from multiple producers who source fruit from this hallmark vineyard.
MAGGY HAWK LUNCHEON – Saturday, March 5 | 12pm-2pm
One of the most renowned producers in the Anderson Valley, Maggy Hawk has long been crafting some of the most coveted cool-climate Pinot Noir in the New World. Hosted by Winemaker Sarah Wuethrich, this three-course lunch prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team will explore the iconic “Deep End” of the valley, just 16 miles from the coast, where their flagship Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard sits among the redwoods. From this single vineyard site, several unique expressions of Pinot Noir are produced.
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS’ 3OTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION LUNCHEON – Saturday, March 5 | 12pm-2pm
Come celebrate 30 years of the Santa Lucia Highlands in a jaw-dropping coastal setting! The growers and winemakers of this marquee California wine region invite you to a lively walk-around tasting at the exclusive seaside Angel Oak restaurant and patio at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara. The afternoon fête will feature a dozen wineries with special library Pinot Noirs direct from the winemaker' cellars, plus sparkling wines and refreshing Rosé – all paired with gourmet fare from Angel Oak’s chef de cuisine. Unobstructed, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean are included.
SATURDAY VIP GRAND TASTING – Saturday, March 5 | 2pm-6pm
In addition to gaining early access to the Grand Tasting, VIPs will be given an exclusive guided tour led by the WOPN Sommelier Team, where they will introduce guests to winemakers and help navigate the 100 Pinot Noir producers in the ballroom. VIP guests also have exclusive access to three separate and private experiences held during the Grand Tasting, including vertical library tastings, blending seminars and more.
SATURDAY GRAND TASTING – Saturday, March 5 | 2:30pm-6pm
Taste through hundreds of Pinot Noirs from around the world in the Ritz-Carlton Bacara's Grand Ballroom, which has been redesigned to provide a roomier tasting environment. Meet the winemakers, compare regional characteristics and find new favorites. You’ll also be able to bid on virtual silent auction lots and check the bidding from the app on your phone. Be sure to register early and preview the lots before arriving. Need a break and a palate cleanser? Nibble on fresh, local and seasonal wine country bites from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara culinary team.
TOASTING TO THE NEW SLO COAST AVA – Saturday, March 5 | 7pm
This five-course sustainably sourced and paired dinner will celebrate the amazing wines grown in what will soon become California’s newest AVA: San Luis Obispo Coast, or SLO Coast. The dinner will feature winemakers Fintan du Fresne of Chamisal Vineyards, Nathan Carlson of Center of Effort, Frederic Delivert of Tolosa and Assistant Winemaker Sarah Snyder of Stolo Vineyards. Winemakers will pour their wines while discussing the “ultra” coastal region and why it’s ideal for growing true cool-climate Pinot Noir.
THE GRAND CRU BURGUNDY DINNER – Saturday, March 5 | 7pm
The World of Pinot Noir is thrilled to present an extraordinary dinner featuring some of the most coveted vintages and wines Burgundy has ever produced. Curated and sourced by the WOPN Sommelier Team, the wines will be paired with a five-course gourmet menu created by the Ritz-Carlton’s chef de cuisine. Tickets for this intimate, one-of-kind dinner experience are limited.
The wines include, among others:
To learn more about all the events, and to purchase tickets, please visit WorldofPinotNoir.com.
Media interested in covering or attending the annual event, please contact moc.seigetartsarretlos@ekim.
About The World of Pinot Noir
WOPN, a non-profit trade organization, was established in 2001 by a small, dedicated group of winemakers from California’s Central Coast. The group’s mission is to bring together the world’s foremost Pinot Noir producers, and in a gorgeous setting, celebrate the delicious wine grape. Wineries, potential sponsors and wine enthusiasts interested in learning more, please visit worldofpinotnoir.com, or contact moc.npow@ofni. Follow and tag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #wopn #wopn2022
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