Great Wines World USA 2026 Draws 12,500 in 3 Cities

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026

Great Wines World USA 2026 wrapped up last week after five events in three cities brought together more than 12,500 engaged consumers and members of the wine trade across New York, Miami and San Francisco. More than 500 wineries poured top-rated bottles, with every wine at the tastings rated 92 points or above by JamesSuckling.com, including dozens that reached the 98-100 points level. Across the tour, the focus was on creating direct connections between producers and the market at a time when the global wine industry is facing headwinds. 

“Community matters more than ever in today’s wine world,” James Suckling said after the tour. “In a challenging economy, you have to be present, tell your story and stand in front of people with your wines. These events are about helping producers communicate their brands in a real way and keeping energy in the market. All events were sold out, with a vibrant mix of industry and younger, affluent wine lovers, telling a different story than what most media are reporting right now.” 

New York: Strong Start at The Glasshouse 

The tour opened in New York with two days at The Glasshouse in Manhattan, drawing 2,500 attendees on the first day and 2,200 on the second. Trade buyers, sommeliers and collectors moved through hundreds of tables representing classic regions such as Bordeaux, Champagne, Tuscany and Napa alongside newer names that have grown through the JamesSuckling.com tasting program. Guests frequently commented on the ability to benchmark styles and vintages in one room, with many using the tasting to review portfolios and plan future listings. 

New York also showcased a strong presence of wines from the JamesSuckling.com Top 100 lists from recent years, giving importers and retailers a chance to taste these bottlings side by side with other 92‑point-plus wines. The mix of trade members and wine lovers, including many younger attendees, underscored the city’s continuing role as a key reference point for premium wine in the U.S. market. 

Miami: Value, Access and a Growing Premium Market

From New York, Great Wines World USA 2026 moved to Miami Beach for two evenings that drew 2,500 attendees on the first night and 3,000 on the second, making it the biggest stop on this year’s tour. The Miami events highlighted the city’s role as a hub for Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America, with many visitors traveling in specifically for the tastings. Producers repeatedly noted the region’s appetite for premium and super‑premium wines and the diversity of the audience, which ranged from local trade to visiting collectors and hospitality buyers from across the Americas. Social media reactions from the Miami tastings emphasized the ability to meet producers and James in person, and to taste a wide range of wines in one place, something attendees said they do not find at any other wine event in the city. 

San Francisco: Masterclasses and a West Coast Finale 

The tour concluded in San Francisco with a full‑day program at Fort Mason that drew 2,500 attendees to the final Grand Tasting. The Bay Area stop combined the walkaround event with two morning Masterclasses led by James: a Global Cabernet Sauvignon discussion and a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars vertical marking 50 years since the Judgment of Paris. Both sessions were fully booked with trade and collectors. 

At the Grand Tasting, producers from California, Oregon and Washington poured alongside international estates from Europe, South America and beyond, reinforcing the West Coast’s position as both a key producing region and a major market. The San Francisco event also featured more than 50 wines rated 98-100 points on JamesSuckling.com, as well as dozens of bottlings that have appeared on recent Top 100 lists, giving buyers a concentrated look at benchmark wines in multiple categories. Feedback from attendees highlighted the mix of local and global perspectives and the opportunity to speak directly with winemakers and owners about vintages, positioning and future releases. 

Community and Communication in a Changing Market  

 Throughout the week, conversations in all three cities circled back to the same themes: how to maintain momentum for premium wine, how to reach new drinkers and how to communicate clearly in an environment where overall wine consumption faces headwinds. Great Wines World USA 2026 served as both a commercial and a community touchpoint – a chance to meet importers, distributors and key on‑trade accounts while also reinforcing relationships with long‑time followers and new consumers. As James noted, the events are as much about conversation as they are about scores: “Ratings help people navigate, but in the end it is the stories, the people and the shared experiences in the glass that keep them coming back," he said.  

With the U.S. tour now complete and the Asian leg of Great Wines World scheduled for later in the year, the focus turns to our upcoming ‘Great Wines’ special editions across the United States. Stay tuned for details, and we hope to see you at one of them: 

  • Great Wines America 250 Dallas | May 27, 2026  
  • Great Wines America 250 Washington D.C. | May 29, 2026  
  • Great Wines Italy New York | Sept 9 - 10, 2026