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North Carolina to host statewide conference, International Wine Symposium in same week

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 2:11 GMT by Penn Live
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North Carolina Sets Stage for Dual Wine Bonanza: Statewide Conference and International Wine Symposium to Converge in a Single Week

Raleigh, NC – September 2025 – The Tar Heel state has announced that it will host two major wine‑industry events in one historic week, an unprecedented overlap that promises to put North Carolina on the global map of viticulture. The North Carolina State Wine Conference, a year‑long tradition of education, networking, and celebration of the state’s burgeoning wine sector, will run in tandem with the International Wine Symposium (IWS), a globally‑recognized gathering of wine experts, producers, and distributors. The two conferences, slated for September 12‑18, will be co‑located at the Raleigh Convention Center, drawing thousands of delegates from across the United States and abroad.

A Week‑Long Celebration of Local Innovation and International Insight

The State Wine Conference, organized by the North Carolina Wine and Spirits Association (NCWSA) and the Department of Agriculture, has traditionally been a cornerstone for local growers and winemakers. This year’s edition features a slate of sessions on sustainable viticulture, climate‑resilient grape varieties, and the newest digital marketing tools that help small producers reach global markets. The conference’s keynote speakers include Dr. Maya Patel, a leading researcher on climate‑smart wine production at NC State University, and Jordan Reed, CEO of the Blue Ridge Wine Consortium, who will discuss the region’s push toward “heritage” varietals like Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese.

Parallel to the State Conference is the IWS, a biennial event that draws top winemakers, sommeliers, and industry leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The symposium’s 2025 edition, scheduled for the same week, will feature tasting panels, a “Wine Futures” segment where participants can preview next season’s releases, and a trade‑show of state‑of‑the‑art winery equipment. The IWS’s masterclass series—led by renowned vintner Matteo Rossi of Tuscany’s Montepulciano estate—will also be available to local delegates, offering a rare opportunity to learn from international best practices.

Logistics and Economic Upswing

Both conferences will utilize the Raleigh Convention Center’s State‑of‑the‑Art Ballroom 3 and adjacent breakout rooms. For attendees, lodging is recommended at nearby hotels, many of which have secured group rates for the week. The North Carolina Department of Commerce estimates that the combined events will generate an additional $3.2 million in direct economic activity for the state, with spillover benefits to restaurants, wineries, and local transportation.

“The convergence of the State Conference and the IWS is a win‑win for North Carolina,” said Deputy Commissioner Emily Hart of the Department of Agriculture. “Our winemakers get the chance to showcase what we’ve built locally while learning from the world’s leading experts. It’s a two‑fer that bolsters both our industry’s reputation and our economy.”

Registration and Resources

Delegates can register through the NCWSA’s dedicated portal (www.ncwsa.org/conference2025) for the State Conference and the IWS’s site (www.internationalwinesymposium.com) for the global symposium. Early‑bird registration ends on August 1, with a 15 % discount available for students and new entrants. The NCWSA website also hosts a full schedule of sessions, speaker bios, and a map of the venue layout, including breakout rooms, tasting stations, and exhibitor halls.

For wine enthusiasts, a free “Wine‑in‑Raleigh” guide is available through the state's tourism website, offering a curated list of local wineries to visit before and after the conferences. Meanwhile, the IWS website provides downloadable technical data sheets for each tasting panel and an interactive agenda that syncs with the attendee’s personal calendar.

A Broader Vision for North Carolina’s Wine Future

This week’s joint events are part of a broader strategy unveiled by the NCWSA in late 2023, titled “NC Wine 2025.” The initiative aims to position North Carolina as a top tier wine destination in the southeastern United States, focusing on quality production, sustainable practices, and an integrated marketing ecosystem. By aligning a domestic educational platform with an international showcase, the state hopes to amplify the visibility of its vineyards and encourage investment in both production and tourism infrastructure.

“North Carolina’s wine industry has grown at an impressive pace, but we’re still building our voice in the global arena,” explained Dr. Patel. “The dual conference model allows us to be heard while also learning from the best in the business. That kind of cross‑pollination is exactly what will accelerate our sector into the next decade.”

Bottom Line

North Carolina’s decision to host the State Wine Conference and the International Wine Symposium in a single, coordinated week underscores the state’s commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and global collaboration in the wine industry. For wine professionals, educators, and aficionados alike, the week promises a rich blend of local flavor and international expertise—an event that could set a new standard for how regional industries can leverage global platforms to accelerate development and recognition.