In about three months, over sixty-five wineries from eleven different growing regions around the world will gather in McMinnville, Oregon, for the the 24th annual International Pinot Noir Celebration on July 23 - 25.

With the featured wineries announced today, my excitement grows for this event not only due to many of my favorite Oregon producers participating but also pinot noir winemakers from Alsace, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Burgundy, California, Canada, Germany, Italy, and New Zealand.

My IPNC ticket is purchased, pre-IPNC dinner booked, and weekend accommodations are reserved. Now all I have to do is count the days until late July when I will journey south to McMinnville and join hundreds of other pinot noir fans for the benchmark of all wine events.

Whether you're a long standing pinot fan or a newbie interested in learning more about this captivating variety, then IPNC is for you. Three days of terrific wines, fantastic food, and wonderful people all set under the Oregon sun in the Willamette Valley.

Life doesn't get any better than this folks...

P.S. For anyone interested in learning more about what happens at IPNC, check out my coverage from IPNC 2008:

IPNC 2008: Connections, Context, and Community
Pre-IPNC Winery Dinner
IPNC: Day One, Part One
IPNC: Day One, Part Two
IPNC: Day Two, Part One
IPNC: Day Two, Part Two