Buyer Information Guide
Key Trip Information
What is Covered During Your Stay
- Hotel stays and group ground transportation
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What is Not Covered During Your Stay
- Taxi, Uber, or ground transportation from Incheon or Gimpo airports to the hotel and back to the airports at the end of your stay.
- Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
- Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference dates.
- Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance as the Wine Institute is not able to do this on your behalf.
- Visa or K-ETA application fees, should you require a visa to enter South Korea.
What to Bring
- Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
- Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
- Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
- Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!
What to Wear
- Sunday Optional Welcome Reception: Casual attire
- Monday & Tuesday Dinners: Smart Casual
- Conference / Grand Tastings: Business Casual / Smart Casual
- Dress in layers: Evenings can be cool if you are planning to go outdoors, bring a jacket or sweater.
- Tip: Avoid wearing heels
Tips
- There will be a WhatsApp group for announcements, we will provide the QR code to access these groups prior to leaving for the tour.
- Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. So may we ask everyone to be on time.
- Try to avoid wearing heels
Networking
- California Wines has teamed up with Bottlebooks to streamline your networking experience at Buyers Marketplace Asia Edition 2025.
- Buyers will have the opportunity to directly schedule meetings with exhibitors directly and connect through our networking function prior to our program.
Sunday, September 21
Transportation Details: Airport to JW Marriott Seoul
INCHEON ARRIVAL INFORMATION: For International arrivals at Incheon Airport, follow signs to ground transportation where you will immediately see a taxi stand upon exiting the terminal. We recommend taking a taxi to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul (176 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul). Please note that travel from the airport to the hotel is not covered by the Wine Institute.
GIMPO ARRIVAL: follow signs to ground transportation where you will immediately see a taxi stand upon exiting the terminal. We recommend taking a taxi to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul (176 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul). Please note that travel from the airport to the hotel is not covered by the Wine Institute.
To show drivers:
Please take me to: JW Marriott Hotel Seoul (176 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul). ‘JW 메리어트 호텔 서울’로 가주세요. (서울 서초구 신반포로 176)
TRAVEL ISSUES: If your flight is canceled or delayed, or if there is some other logistical constraint, please contact your California Wines representative directly.
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL SEOUL ARRIVAL: Please check in with the hotel front desk directly, which is located on 8/F of the hotel. As you get off your taxis at the car entrance, walk straight across the lobby where you will find the elevators to take you to the front desk. You’ll be asked to produce a credit card to cover any incidentals, accommodation charges will be covered by the Wine Institute.
EARLY ARRIVALS: If you stayed overnight elsewhere, please plan to check in at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul on September 21.
Welcome Reception at Devil's Door
Welcome Reception is optional for guests. You are welcome to make your own plans for the evening, but we would be delighted to have you join us for drinks and canapes at our Welcome Reception.
Time: 17:00-20:00
Venue: The Devil’s Door
The Devil’s Door is located within walking distance from the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul. Exit the hotel from the main entrance and turn left. You’ll see a convenience store, walk past it and walk straight for about 250 meters and you will find The Devil’s Door on your left.
Monday September 22
Conference Schedule
07:00-08:30 Breakfast at your leisure (Club Access, 9/F)
08:30 Doors Open & Buyers’ Registration
09:00-10:00 Welcome session by California Wines
10:00-13:00 Grand Tastings & Meetings (Grand Ballroom)
13:30-15:00 New Strengths: California Sparkling and Other Whites Seminar
12:00-14:30 Networking Lunch (Buffet style lunch served in Salons 4 & 5)
14:00-15:30 History of Cabernet Sauvignons and the stylistic evolution of California wines
14:00-17:00 Grand Tasting & Meetings
17:00 Doors close
Dinner at Namsan Room, The Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel
Please plan to meet in the front lobby/entrance of the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul for a prompt departure at 17:45 for The Ambassador Seoul.
This is a buyer and winery dinner.
Shuttles Begin Loading: 17:30
Shuttles Depart: 17:45
Recommended Attire: Smart Casual (dinner will be indoors)
Shuttles will be returning guests back to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul after the dinner at 21:00 for their overnight stay.
Tuesday, September 23
Conference Schedule
07:00-08:30 Breakfast at your leisure (Club Access, 9/F)
08:30 Doors Open & Coffee
09:00-10:00 Panel Discussion: The State of the Wine Industry in Asia
10:00-13:00 Grand Tastings & Meetings (Grand Ballroom)
13:30-15:00 Leading Innovation Seminar
12:00-14:30 Networking Lunch (Buffet style lunch served in Salons 4 & 5)
14:00-15:30 Beaune in the USA Seminar
14:00-17:00 Grand Tasting & Meetings
17:00 Doors close
Finale Dinner at Samwon Garden
All buyers and winery representatives are invited to the Finale Dinner. Celebrate California Wines with us through an authentic meal of traditional Korean BBQ. The venue house a beautiful outdoor garden where we will host a drinks reception before dinner begins.
Please meet at the JW Marriott Seoul lobby at 17:15 for a prompt 17:30 shuttle departure.
Shuttles Begin Loading: 17:15
Shuttles Depart: 17:30
Reception Begins: 18:00 (Outdoors)
Dinner Begins: 19:00 (Indoors)
Recommended Attire: Smart Causal
Shuttles will return guests to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul for their overnight stay at the end of their dinner.
Wednesday, September 24
07:30-09:30 Breakfast available on Club Floor
HOTEL CHECK-OUT
Check-out time:
Please check out of the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul by the check-out time. A kind reminder that any incidentals, mini-bar, etc will not be covered by California Wines. We wish all guests a safe onward journey.
TRANSPORTATION FROM HOTEL TO AIRPORT
Please note that transportation from the hotel to the airport is not covered by California Wines. Please arrange for your own transport for your departure.
Exhibiting Wineries
689 Cellars
A Wines California
Amourvino Winery LLC
ASV Wines
Boisset Collection
Bonterra Organic Estates
Ca’ Momi / Fior di Sole
California Terroirs
Chateau Montelena
Crimson Wine Group: Seghesio Family Vineyards,
Pine Ridge Vineyards & Chamisal Vineyards
Delicato Family Wines
Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards
E. & J. Gallo Winery: Barefoot
E. & J. Gallo Winery: Hahn and Clos du Bois
E. & J. Gallo Winery: Rombaur Vineyards,
Orin Swift
East West Wine Trading
Grand Napa Vineyards
Hope Family Wines
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
Jackson Family Wines
Kautz Family Vineyards
LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards
Long Meadow Ranch Wine Estates
Nichols Winery
O’ Neill Vintners & Distillers
Oak Ridge Winery
Precision Wines & Spirits
Prometheus Wine Exports
Provenance Vineyards
Rutherford Wine Company
S. R. Tonella Cellars
Schug Winery
Senses Wines
Shafer Vineyards
Shannon Family of Wines
Silver Oak Family of Wines
The Duckhorn Portfolio
The Letter M
Trinchero Family Estates
Tudor Wines
Valkyrie selections
Vin Fraîche
Vin-de-Cal International
Wagner Family of Wines
Wente Family Estates
WX Brands
Plan Your Trip
Check out the below video tutorial on how to maximize your time at Buyers Marketplace with our digital wine catalogue.
Bookmarks
Click the bookmark icon to add exhibitors and products to your own personal event tasting catalog.
QR Codes
There will be QR codes at each winery table. When you scan the QR code, you will see the winery's full event portfolio.
Tasting Notes
Add confidential tasting notes on your smartphone at the event, and export them when you get home. You can also rate the wines with an easy 5-point star scale.
PDF & Excel Export
Export your personal catalog as PDF or Excel, including any tasting notes you took at the event
