Never been to one of these. Got the mailer today. I was wondering if it is worth making a weekend trip to NYC out of it. Anyone regularly attend, attending this year, not recommend?

Curt
Went to the Vegas event last year. It was worth the price. The wife & I planned our route and got thru the entire place. 3 hours goes by fast. They usually give you a riedel souvenier glass and a tasting book listing every wine being poured to write your tasting notes in.
Tasted about 50 wines or more. Margaux, Haut brion & La mission were there when we went so you do get some high end stuff. Lots of super seconds too.

I'd give it a try if you've never been.

Curt,
it is worth, but if you have to fly and stay it will be about $600, and if you take your wife then about $1000. And that is for only 3 hours.
If I was living in NYC, I will always go.
I am in Puerto Rico and will be about $1200 for the overnight trip. Still thinking about it. I will go to the Wine Experience as have been going in the last 6-8 years.

I have been every year since its inception - even before it was in Las Vegas. To answer your question, if you like wine go to have fun. If you are fairly serious about wine, you will be disappointed - last year was a fine example. 3 hours is not long enough (you may only have 2.5 hr by the time a glass is in your hand.) Also, a large number of the Bordelais constituency decided to attend a party elsewhere while they staffed their booths with pretty girls who knew nothing about the wines. I like beautiful women, but for those 2-3 hours I wanted to get some real answers about the wines. I have spoken to several of the Chateaux owners since last May regarding this unfortunate behavior. Yes, I will attend this year again. However, if the booths are not staffed by winemakers and owners, I will downgrade this tasting event on my list of "must do" in the future.

Definitely worth the price of admission. Just never enough time. If you go, get to the 1st growths early. Most run out of wine halfway through. The top ports also run out before the night is through. I remember being a bit overwhelmed the first (and second) time there. The truest sense of "so much to drink, so little time." I think I would prefer half the wines and twice the time actually.

Oh, one more thing. Don't bother with dinner before the tasting. There is plenty to eat (hot & cold) there. You may want to get something in your belly before though. I didn't notice much spitting at this event. Enjoy yourself if you go.

I may go but it sounds like you need a plan of attack just to get started. Do they ever publish a map with the vendors listed before the event starts?

Been to LV the last three years (and going again this year) and have a great time. There will be a published list of the winery's attending with floor locations prior to the event. Plan wisely! I never spit unless it is bad but I do not have to drive anywhere. Get in line early and head straight for the first growths. This will be gone early after go to your favorites or those of interest. The time does go by fast but you definitely get to sample enough wine and the food is also pretty good. My wife and I will be towards the front of the line so anyone going give us a shout.