Cincinnati International Wine Festival

What Cincinnati International Wine Festival does

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival (CIWF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 in Cincinnati, Ohio, that operates an annual wine festival platform as its primary fundraising mechanism for distributing proceeds to local charities. The organization runs a portfolio of interconnected event products — Grand Tastings (700+ wines, $95 general admission, $140 VIP including the Morgan Stanley VIP Tasting Room), Winery Dinners (5-course paired meals at local restaurants), the Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon (live/silent auctions with a 3-course lunch), the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament (industry networking at Four Bridges Country Club and Heritage Club), the Swirl Power three-session wine education series ($175 per person), Pop-Up Wine Sales, the Trade Tasting, and a wine competition established in 1992. Since founding, CIWF has granted over $8 million to more than 30 Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky nonprofits across arts, education, health, and social services sectors.

The business model is event-driven, generating revenue through three primary channels: (1) consumer ticket sales processed via BigTickets.com across multiple price points; (2) exhibitor booth fees paid by wineries ($400 for shared 10x5, $600 for exclusive 10x10), which include participation in the wine competition, trade tasting, and public grand tastings; and (3) multi-tiered corporate sponsorships — Kroger as Presenting Sponsor, Morgan Stanley (VIP Tasting Room exclusivity), Constellation Brands and Orangebarrel as Premier Program Sponsors, plus Supporting Sponsors and table sponsorships. Wine procurement economics are supported by product donations from founding partner Heidelberg Distributing and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, plus regional distributors Martin & Company, Stagnaro, Vintage Wine Distributor, and Wine Trends.

Operationally, CIWF runs with a lean staff of 1-10 employees and a volunteer-driven Board of Directors led by President Mary Horn (Level 3 Sommelier) and Treasurer Renee Muraca. Technology infrastructure is minimal but functional: a Salesforce-based exhibitor portal handles winery registration, BigTickets.com powers consumer ticketing, and distribution occurs through social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), email newsletter, media partners (Cincy Magazine, Cin Public Radio, Sophisticated Living Magazine, Everything Cincy), and the referral network of 30+ nonprofit beneficiaries. Founder Russ Wiles (President, Heidelberg Distributing) established the festival with WGUC as the first beneficiary; the festival survived founder succession after his 2003 passing and a two-year COVID-19 cancellation (2020-2021), resuming operations in 2022. The 35th Annual Wine Festival is scheduled for March 5-7, 2026 at the Cincinnati Convention Center.

Name

Cincinnati International Wine Festival

Legal name

Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Inc.

Website

https://winefestival.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that operates an annual wine festival platform — Grand Tastings, Winery Dinners, Auction & Luncheon, Golf Tournament, and education series — to raise funds for 30+ Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky charities. Revenue comes from ticket sales, exhibitor fees, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Festival Events and Nonprofit Fundraising

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Food, Wine & Beverage Festivals/Expos (MPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Wine festival events
• Charity fundraising
• Wine tasting events
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Corporate sponsorships

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Grand Tasting Tickets: General admission tickets at $95 and VIP tickets at $140 for entry to Grand Tastings featuring unlimited wine tastings, keepsake Riedel glass, and food samplings. VIP includes early entry and access to Morgan Stanley VIP Tasting Room.
2. Exhibitor Booth Fees: Winery exhibitors pay booth fees: $600 for 10x10 exclusive booth (up to 8 wines) or $400 for 10x5 shared booth (up to 4 wines). Includes participation in wine competition, trade tasting, and public grand tastings.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Multi-tiered sponsorship packages including Presenting Sponsor, Premier Program Sponsors, Program Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors, and table sponsorships for Auction & Luncheon. Sponsors receive branding visibility and corporate citizenship association with nonprofit wine festival.
4. Winery Dinner Tickets: 5-course meal at local restaurants paired with premium wines from featured wineries. Tickets include wine pairings and gratuity.
5. Charity Auction & Luncheon: Admission includes live and silent auctions of fine wines, trips, and experiences plus 3-course lunch paired with wines. Revenue supports 30+ nonprofits.
6. Wine Education Series: Swirl Power wine education program at $175 per person for 3-session series led by Level 3 Sommelier Mary Horn.
7. Golf Tournament: Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament: Foursome $6,000, Twosome $3,000. Includes tee gifts, on-course sampling, and awards for industry networking.
8. Pop-Up Wine Sale: Limited ticket event at $75 per person featuring wine tastings, bites, and mystery six-pack takeaway valued over $100.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates an annual, multi-event wine festival platform centered on Grand Tastings featuring 700+ wines, complemented by Winery Dinners, a Charity Auction & Luncheon, Pop-Up Wine Sale, the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament, and the Swirl Power wine education series. Tickets are sold to consumers, winery exhibitor booths are sold to wine producers, and corporate sponsorships are sold to regional and national brands. Net proceeds are distributed as grants to 30+ Greater Cincinnati nonprofits in arts, education, and health and human services.

Product overview

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a nonprofit wine festival event company founded in 1991. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected wine-focused events and programs, with Grand Tastings serving as the core product featuring 700+ wines, complemented by Winery Dinners (5-course paired dining experiences), the Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon (live/silent auctions with lunch), Pop-Up Wine Sales (preview tastings), the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament (industry networking), and Swirl Power (wine education). The organization also operates wine competitions and trade tasting events for industry professionals. Since 1991, the festival has granted more than $8 million to 30+ Greater Cincinnati nonprofits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament: Annual golf tournament named in honor of the founder, serving as networking event for alcohol beverage industry professionals.
• Grand Tastings
• Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon
• Winery Dinners
• Swirl Power

Products and services

• Grand Tastings The flagship consumer event of the Cincinnati International Wine Festival, featuring unlimited tastings of more than 700 wines, a keepsake Riedel wine glass, food samplings, and access to wine experts from around the globe. Available as General Admission ($95) and VIP ($140) with exclusive access to the Morgan Stanley VIP Tasting Room. Held at the Cincinnati Convention Center, March 5-7, 2026.
• Winery Dinners Sophisticated one-night-only dining experiences at celebrated local Cincinnati restaurants, featuring a 5-course meal expertly paired with premium wines from a featured winery. Tickets include wine pairings and gratuity.
• Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon Saturday charity event featuring live and silent auctions of fine wines, trips, and one-of-a-kind experiences, combined with a chef-driven 3-course lunch paired with wines from the hosting winery. Revenue supports 30+ nonprofits.
• Pop-Up Wine Sale Exclusive preview event at $75 per person featuring festival wines available for purchase, prepared food (by Cincinnati Cooks!), and a mystery six-pack of wines valued at over $100. Limited to 100 tickets.
• Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament Annual industry networking golf tournament for adult beverage professionals, hosted at Four Bridges Country Club and Heritage Club. Foursome $6,000 and Twosome $3,000 entries include $400 gift card per player, $375 tee gift, gift bag, on-course sampling, and closing reception.
• Swirl Power: From Curious to Confident Three-part wine education series at $175 per person covering Classic Whites (July 28), Classic Reds (August 25), and Sparkling & Port (September 29). Each session includes 6 wines paired with food and expert instruction from a Level 3 Sommelier. Limited to 30 participants.
• Wine Competition Annual wine competition where wineries compete for medals that elevate brand recognition and drive consumer recognition. Held in February (2026: February 6).
• Trade Tasting Exclusive business-focused event connecting wineries with 600+ sommeliers, buyers, and distributors. Held in March (2026: March 6).
• Winery Exhibitor Booth Program Exhibitor booth sales for wineries: $600 exclusive 10x10 booth (up to 8 wines) or $400 shared 10x5 booth (up to 4 wines). Includes participation in wine competition, trade tasting, and public grand tastings.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tiered corporate sponsorship packages including Presenting Sponsor (Kroger), Premier Program Sponsors (Constellation Brands, Morgan Stanley, Orangebarrel), Program Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors, and table sponsorships for the Auction & Luncheon. Sponsors receive branding visibility and CSR association.

Quantifiable outcome

• $8 million+ granted to 30+ nonprofits since 1991
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KrogercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for 2026 Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Kroger is a major retail partner providing national brand recognition and consumer reach for the festival.
• Constellation BrandscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Program Sponsor providing wine industry expertise and premium brand portfolio for festival tastings and events.
• Morgan StanleycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Program Sponsor. Exclusive sponsor of VIP Tasting Room offering luxury limited-release wines to VIP ticket holders with early access.
• OrangebarrelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Program Sponsor supporting festival operations and marketing efforts.
• Smartwater (Coca-Cola)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWater Sponsor providing beverage options for festival attendees.
• Heidelberg Distributing CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor wine and spirits distributor in Greater Cincinnati. Founding partner and original supporter since 1991. Distributes festival wines to retail locations.
• Southern Glazer's Wine & SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational wine and spirits distributor supporting festival through generous product donations.
• Martin & Company WinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional wine distributor supporting festival operations.
• Stagnaro DistributingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal distributor contributing to festival success.
• Vintage Wine DistributorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWine distribution partner for festival.
• Wine Trends, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWine distribution partner supporting festival.
• Moxy Cincinnati DowntownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner with discounted rates for festival attendees. Part of Marriott brand.
• DelightMorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Hotel & Venue Partner and culinary partner for Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon. Chef-driven catering providing 3-course lunch paired with wines.
• The Mercantile ImmersiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue partner hosting Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon. 360-degree immersive art venue.
• 21c Museum HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner with discounted rates for festival attendees.
• The Westin CincinnatiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner offering discounted rates for festival attendees.
• Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner with group rates for festival attendees.
• Hilton Cincinnati Netherland PlazaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Hotel Partner with group rate code CIWF for attendees. Historic hotel in Cincinnati.
• Cincinnati Convention CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary venue for Grand Tastings. Newly renovated facility with enhanced layout and expanded space.
• Cincy MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner providing editorial coverage and magazine features.
• Cin Public RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner and original founding beneficiary WGUC. Provides radio coverage and promotional support.
• Sophisticated Living MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner providing magazine coverage and promotional support.
• Everything CincyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partner providing local digital coverage.
• WordsworthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications & Design Partner providing creative services for festival marketing.
• VK DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications & Design Partner (Victoria Karoleff) providing design services.
• Freestore FoodbankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit beneficiary and host venue for Pop-Up Wine Sale. Also served as 2025 Grand Tasting venue while Convention Center was under construction. One of original five nonprofits receiving grants since 1995.
• Mary HorncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLevel 3 Sommelier and CIWF Board President. Leads Swirl Power wine education series (3-part program). Speaker and expert at Grand Tastings.
• Four Bridges Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf venue for Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament (October 5, 2026). One of two courses hosting event.
• Heritage ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf venue for Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament (October 5, 2026). One of two courses hosting event.
• AC Hotel Cincinnati at Liberty CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hotel partner closest to golf courses with negotiated group room rates for tournament attendees.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Food & Wine Classic in Aspen: Annual premium food and wine festival in Aspen hosted by Food & Wine magazine featuring tastings, seminars, and chef demonstrations. Comparable to CIWF as a multi-day food and wine tasting event with VIP tiers and consumer ticket pricing, though at significantly larger scale.
• Sonoma County Vintners (Sonoma Wine Auction): Industry-led nonprofit organization producing Sonoma County Vintners events including the Sonoma Wine Auction, a charity wine auction and tasting weekend. Direct peer in operating a nonprofit wine auction plus consumer tasting weekend with multi-event format.
• Charleston Wine + Food Festival: Annual food and wine festival in Charleston, SC featuring tastings, winemaker dinners, and educational seminars. Similar multi-day festival format with consumer tastings, premium wine dinners, and ticket-tier pricing closely mirroring CIWF's structure.
• Naples Winter Wine Festival: Long-running Florida nonprofit wine festival that raises funds for children's causes through multi-day tastings, auctions, and dinners. Closely comparable to CIWF in being a 501(c)(3) charity wine festival with consumer tastings, a charity auction component, and a multi-event weekend format.
• Boston Wine Festival: Long-running wine event series at the Westin Boston Waterfront featuring multi-course winery dinners, seminars, and tasting events. Closely comparable to CIWF in hosting curated multi-course winery dinners at restaurants paired with premium producers, though structured as an extended event series rather than a single weekend.
• Auction Napa Valley (Napa Valley Vintners): The premier nonprofit wine charity auction hosted by Napa Valley Vintners, raising tens of millions for community health and education. Directly comparable as a long-established nonprofit wine charity auction driven by winery participation and high-net-worth patron engagement.
• Pebble Beach Food & Wine: Annual food and wine festival hosted at Pebble Beach Resorts featuring celebrity chefs, winemaker dinners, and luxury tastings. Directly comparable in combining premium wine dinners, grand tastings, and VIP experiences targeting affluent wine enthusiasts.
• V Foundation Wine Celebration: Napa Valley charity wine event benefiting cancer research through the V Foundation, featuring winery dinners, auctions, and tastings. A direct 501(c)(3) nonprofit wine celebration with auction and dinner components analogous to CIWF's charity auction and winery dinner model.

Broad incumbents

• New York Wine & Food Festival: Large-scale food and wine festival in NYC produced by Food Network featuring celebrity chef appearances, grand tastings, and charity benefits. Comparable festival format but operates at materially larger commercial scale than CIWF's nonprofit model.

Emerging players

• Wine & Food Foundation of Texas (Wine & Food Week): Nonprofit producing Texas Wine & Food Week featuring grand tastings, vintner dinners, and a charity auction. Similar nonprofit charity wine festival model to CIWF with comparable ticket tiers and a smaller-scale regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CincyWineFest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cincinnati-international-wine-festival
• Instagraminstagram.com/cincywinefest
• Xx.com/CincyWineFest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati International Wine Festival