Benefits

Branch Events

The cornerstone of the IWFS is the individual branch, which all vary in the way they function.  That said, all branches have regular events organized by the members to enjoy and learn about the magical marriage of good food, fine wine and friends both old and new. Members' expertise varies considerably, but the Society has a place for both novice and expert. A common thread is that all of our members are enthusiastic about learning from one another. Whether at a restaurant, winery or even the home of a member, gathering over wine and food is the common thread that binds together members from Alaska to the Cayman Islands. 

Branch Wine Cellars

Many but not all Branches have wine cellars that allow members to taste wines that would be otherwise unavailable. These cellars are an asset that helps attract and hold the interest of branch members. Many branches regularly hold vertical (wines from different years) or horizontal (wines from the same year) tastings. Many fine wines, particularly those of Bordeaux and Burgundy, have become prohibitively expensive for an individual to buy today. But at an event organized by a branch with an established cellar, branches serve their members mature wines that are no longer available outside auction markets.

Festivals

One of the most popular benefits is the eligibility to travel to notable wine- and food-centric destinations. Recent domestic festivals have taken place in New Orleans and Oregon's Willamette Valley.  Overseas destinations have included Paris and Bordeaux, as well as more isolated destinations such as Portugal's Douro Valley.  To see details of a spectacular cruise of the Rhine River, please click here.

Vintage Card

This wallet sized Vintage Card is for IWFS members only. It shows annually updated vintage ratings for major wine regions around the world. You’ll say it’s like having a sommelier in your pocket!

IWFS Member App

There's an app for this! It’s easy for members to browse exclusive content by using our Member App for Android or iPhone.

Wine, Food & Friends

Wine, Food & Friends is the quarterly journal published by IWFS Americas.  Articles are regularly submitted by members for publication, but much of the content is devoted to summaries of branch events.  Besides being a way for members to keep up with their friends in other branches, these snippets are a valuable resource for planning events using ideas from across the Americas.

Wine, Food & Friends always provides extensive recaps of festivals.  It also profiles recipients of culinary scholarships from IWFS's endowed Foundation.

View sample scholarly articles from WF&F here.

Monographs

Each year, the Society commissions a global wine expert to write an extended essay on a wine- or food-related subject. These monographs are not distributed outside members of the Society.  Previous subjects have been the wines of Madeira, single-malt Scotch whiskys, and tea.  Over the years, these monographs continue to satisfy our members' wide-ranging curiosity.

Join Us!

To find a branch near you, get information about starting your own branch, or joining as an independent member, please click here:  Join IWFS Americas!

We hope to welcome you soon in the best spirit of wine, food and friends.