Asian Wine Association of America

AWAA Tasting Passport - AAPI Heritage Month (May)
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-31 | Winery Tasting Rooms & Vin en Noir Tasting Salon
AWAA Tasting Passport: Experience Asian-Made Wines Throughout May to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

The AWAA Wine Passport (May 1 – May 31) is your all-access ticket to discover Asian American winemaking across Northern California. For $50, enjoy one (1) complimentary standard tasting per winery, per passport holder at participating tasting rooms, plus entry to an AWAA Downtown Napa Tasting Salon at Vin En Noir with rotating pop-up wineries every Saturday in May from 12–6 pm. Proceeds support AWAA’s mission to champion Asian representation in wine through advocacy, community engagement, and professional development. With tasting experiences valued at $250+, the Passport is an easy way to explore new producers, meet the people behind the bottles, and support AWAA’s mission to expand Asian representation in wine culture.

Learn More and Buy Tickets for this special celebration!

Participating Tasting Rooms:

Ektimo Vineyards
Iron Horse Vineyards
LangeTwins / Akiyoshi
Marchelle Wines
Napa de Oro Winery
Noria Wines
RD Winery
Sakura Wines
Sunset Cellars

Participating Vintners at the Downtown Napa Tasting Salon (Saturdays, 12 – 6pm):

Duncan Peak Vineyards
iNapa Estate Winery
Kazumi Wines
Leap of Grapes
Mikami Vineyards
Six Cloves Wines
Sunshine Valley Vineyard

Get your AWAA Passport

Nippon Kobo x AWAA: Live Music Performance & Wine in an Art Gallery
2026-05-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hosfelt Gallery, 260 Utah Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103, United States
Nippon Kobo: Ma(間): Space Between All Things | May 2, 2026 | 6pm

Witness an intimate live musical performance in an art gallery setting while enjoying AWAA member wines at the pre- and post-concert receptions and during the performance with your bento box dinner. Meet the proprietors of Mikami Vineyards, Kazumi Wines, and Six Cloves Wines and explore their handcrafted wines and philosophy. Learn from the vintners and musicians in a panel discussion. Nippon Kobo presents this collaborative showcase featuring leading Japanese artists, creators and entrepreneurs, offering an immersive experience in contemporary Japanese music and culture.
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2026 APA Heritage Awards & Community Gala
2026-05-06 19:00 - 21:00 | San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl., San Francisco, 94102, United States
2026 APA Heritage Awards & Community Gala | May 6, 2026

Join San Francisco’s signature kickoff event for AAPI Heritage Month: A festive evening celebrating community, honoring civic organizations and AAPI youth, and bringing people together across the city. APASF’s Gala is the largest Pan-Asian community celebration of the year and a uniquely wonderful opportunity for AWAA Members and Supporters to join the festivities. Guests will enjoy a catered reception featuring diverse Asian cuisine, cultural performances showcasing AAPI talent, and beverages including wines from AWAA Member Vintner Kale Wines and Duncan Peak Vineyards!

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Wine, Sake, and Heritage Celebration in SF Japantown
2026-05-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco, 94115
Wine, Sake, and Heritage | May 21, 2026 | 5pm – 7pm | Hotel Kabuki, SF Japantown

AWAA partners with the APA Heritage Foundation, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, and the Nihonmachi Street Fair for a celebration of AAPI Heritage Month at the storied Hotel Kabuki in the heart of historic San Francisco Japantown. Meet the proprietors and taste the exquisite wines of AWAA Member Vintners Adonna Wines, Marchelle Wines, and Sakura Winery. Sample sake from renowned local producers. This is a unique opportunity to taste the diversity of excellence in AAPI winemaking and sake, and to learn the unique stories behind the craft.

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Mastering the Art of Pairing Wine with Indian Cuisine – Webinar
2026-06-24 11:00 - 12:00
The Asian American Wine Association (AWAA) is proud to present with Wine Market Council (WMC) a dynamic and insight-packed webinar, “Mastering the Art of Pairing Wine with Indian Cuisine,” on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT. This session will explore the art, science, and market opportunity of pairing wine with Indian cuisine.

Register: https://awaawine.org/product/pairing-wine-with-indian-cuisine/

India is home to one of the world’s oldest and most influential culinary traditions, with a rich food culture dating back more than 4,500 years to the Indus Valley Civilization. Yet despite the global popularity of Indian cuisine, pairing wine with Indian food has only recently begun to receive serious attention from consumers, sommeliers, and wine industry professionals.

This webinar will provide practical insights into pairing wine with Indian dishes while also examining the growing market potential of Indian consumers. With among the highest household incomes in the United States and increasing interest in premium wine experiences, Indian consumers represent an important and often under-served audience for the wine industry.

Participants will hear from leading experts who will share their perspectives on Indian food culture, consumer trends, and successful wine pairing strategies.

During this webinar, attendees will learn:

Why Indian cuisine presents unique opportunities and challenges for wine pairing
Key principles for pairing wine with the diverse flavors, spices, and regional styles of Indian food
How consumer interest in Indian food and wine pairing is evolving
The growing importance of multicultural dining trends for the wine industry
Insights into the Indian consumer market and its potential for premium wine sales
Practical recommendations that wineries, retailers, restaurants, and educators can apply immediately

Whether you are a winery executive, wine marketer, retailer, sommelier, restaurateur, educator, or wine enthusiast, this webinar will provide valuable insights into a rapidly growing category and help you better connect with an influential consumer segment and enjoy wine and cuisine more deeply and meaningfully.

Featured Speakers:

Shekar Sathyanarayana, Founder & CEO, Nalla
Neeta Mittal, Co-Founder & Owner, LXV Winery, Paso Robles
Introduced by Susan R Lin, MW, President of Asian Wine Association of America & International Wine Consultant, and moderated by Dr. Liz Thach, MW, President, Wine Market Council.

Register: https://awaawine.org/product/pairing-wine-with-indian-cuisine/

This webinar is complimentary for AWAA Members and $10 for non-members.
Not yet an AWAA Member? Join us!

The webinar will be recorded and available for AWAA Members after the event.
