Mission

International Wine Center’s mission is to offer highest quality, professional and independent-minded wine and spirits study devoid of promotional interest, while fostering responsible enjoyment.

International Wine Center opened its doors in New York City in 1982. Over its 40-plus years as a wine and spirits school, IWC has helped many thousands of professionals and wine lovers increase their knowledge and discover the pleasures of spirits and wine.

History

International Wine Center has been in operation continuously since 1982.

In 1994, IWC became the first wine and spirits school in the U.S. to offer the programs of the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®), the world’s largest wine educational organization.

International Wine Center became the U.S. Headquarters of that organization in 2003, a role IWC held for 15 years. Through IWC’s efforts, WSET programs achieved such penetration across the U.S. that WSET was in a position to open its own U.S. office in 2018.

IWC was recognized by WSET as one of the leading wine and spirits education centers in the world when in 2007 WSET awarded International Wine Center the inaugural Riedel Trophy as WSET Educator of the Year.

IWC instructs approximately 1,000 students annually in the greater New York City area and more than 335 individuals who studied at International Wine Center have received the WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits, including 16 individuals who are now Masters of Wine.

International Wine Center

Timeline

1982
  • Wine Information Corp. is incorporated in the state of New York
  • Albert Hotchkin, Jr. founds IWC, offering wine education programs, a Wine Club and special events.
  • International Wine Center begins operations at 144 West 55th Street, New York City
1984
  • Mary Ewing-Mulligan joins IWC as Director of Educational Programs
1988
  • Mary Ewing-Mulligan becomes a partner in IWC with Al Hotchkin, Jr.
1989
  • IWC opens offices and a classroom at 231 West 29th Street
1993
  • In September, Mary Ewing-Mulligan becomes the first female Master of Wine in North America.
1994
  • IWC becomes the first school in the U.S. to offer WSET courses
1996
  • IWC’s first two students graduate from the WSET Diploma course
1997
  • Mary Ewing-Mulligan, MW becomes the sole owner of IWC
1998
  • IWC focuses its resources exclusively on WSET courses
  • IWC moves office space to 1133 Broadway and holds classes at Chelsea Wine Vault and elsewhere
2000
  • Linda Lawry is appointed Director at IWC
2003
  • IWC enters into a strategic contract with WSET to operate as the Trust’s U.S. headquarters to aid the growth of WSET programs across the country
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC reach 60
  • Sheri Sauter Morano becomes the first IWC graduate to earn MW
2004
  • Charles Curtis becomes the second IWC graduate to earn MW
2005
  • IWC relocates to 350 Seventh Avenue, a space that houses classrooms and offices in one location
  • The number of WSET Approved Program Providers (APPs) in the US is now 9
2006
  • IWC graduate Lisa Granik earns her MW
2007
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC exceed 100
  • IWC is awarded the inaugural Riedel Trophy as WSET Educator of the Year
2008
  • IWC graduate Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan earns her MW
2010
  • IWC graduate Jean Reilly earns her MW
  • 23 WSET Approved Program Providers (APPs) now exist across the US
2011
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC exceed 200
  • IWC graduates Mary Gorman-MacAdams, Christy Canterbury, and Michele Anderson earn their MW
2012
  • IWC files application for licensing with New York State Education Department
2013
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC exceed 250
  • IWC graduates Dilek Caner and Adam LaPierre earn their MW
2014
  • IWC student Nicolas Paris earns his MW
  • The number of WSET Approved Program Providers (APPs) in the US grows to 36
2015
  • IWC graduate Mollie Battenhouse earns her MW
2016
  • IWC debuts an updated logo
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC exceed 300
  • IWC graduates Eran Pick and Mary Margaret McCamic earn their MW
2017
  • WSET coverage across the US grows to 48 Approved Program Providers (APPs)
2018
  • WSET Diploma graduates at IWC exceed 335
  • Linda Lawry retires
  • IWC hands management of WSET programs in America back to the Trust to manage independently in order to focus on school programming and student experience
2019
  • Mary Ewing-Mulligan is honored with the WSET Lifetime Achievement Award
  • IWC graduate Nicholas Jackson earns his MW

2021

  • WSET Diploma grads from IWC now total 412
  • IWC graduate Melissa Monti Saunders earns her MW

2022

  • IWC celebrates the 40th anniversary of its founding
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