Karakterre 19: New York 2026
The leading festival for organic, biodynamic and low-intervention wines of Central & Eastern Europe returns to Brooklyn — one day, 84 wineries, and the cultural weekend in October
Event Details
Zalto glass includedThe Day
One afternoon, the whole regionFrom 1 pm, the Amant Arts Foundation in East Williamsburg opens its doors for five and a half hours of tasting with 84 low-intervention wineries from 15 countries — from Burgenland legends like Gut Oggau, Tschida and Preisinger to first-time Georgian arrivals, joined by a North American contingent from Oregon to the Hudson Valley. Pour at the tables, wander the galleries, stay for the music and dancing. The entry ticket includes your Zalto Balance tasting glass, which is yours to keep — or hand back at the end for a $20 cash refund.
The Low Intervention Criteria
Every winery at Karakterre works to the same non-negotiable charter. Beyond these points, it’s not up to anyone to judge the style of winemaking — diversity is the point.
On the Programme
Side Events
The cultural weekend in OctoberThe Growers
84 wineries · 15 countries · frequently updatedAbout the Festival
Tickets are limited and the event is expected to sell out — $95 includes the full-day tasting, Amant gallery access and a Zalto Balance glass
Karakterre 19: NY — The Week
The cultural weekend in October starts long before Sunday — a week of tastings, takeovers, kafana feasts, a krawl party and one very special Riesling masterclass, from the Lower East Side to the Catskills
Monday 19 October
1 eventA relaxed afternoon pour with the Schatzi & Winemonger crews — followed by a bar takeover from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Tuesday 20 October
1 eventMeet the Franconian grower and taste his skin-contact classics at one of Ridgewood's finest bottle shops.
Wednesday 21 October
1 eventAndi takes over the Bedford Ave natural wine bar for an evening of food, pours and conversation.
Thursday 22 October
3 eventsBy-the-glass takeover with tunes on Manhattan Ave.
The Burgenland star pours by the glass upstate in Hensonville.
Croatian island wines meet a Croatian kitchen for a kafana-style feast.
Friday 23 October
6 eventsA discussion between one of the world's leading coffee professionals and one of the world's leading low-intervention winegrowers — followed by a cupping and a wine tasting. Free entrance.
An evening with the Jois grower in the Catskills.
The Slovak cult estate pours at Discovery Wines.
Wine poured and music played by Andi Weigand at the legendary Bushwick pizzeria.
A full Serbian lineup takes over the East Village kafana.
The Strekov party continues downtown.
Saturday 24 October
4 eventsThree block locations, three opportunities to taste with multiple growers at each — a walk-around tasting with our friends along Havemeyer. Free entrance.
Growers meet the public with music and snacks at Nightmoves — open to all winegrowers.
The initiation of Anthony Falco's new pizza restaurant, featuring exclusively Georgian wines for the night.
Slovenia's icons take over the kafana.
Sunday 25 October — Festival Day
4 eventsTrade and growers gather at Amant before doors open.
The festival itself, across 306 and 315 Maujer St, with food by restaurant Zoli and La Cabra coffee and pastries.
With a foreword by Robert Dentice, Jule and Kai of Weingut Schätzel challenge the palate and the mind — patiently grown wines with no added sulfur and no filtration: the 17-24 Steiner Riesling solera (premieres from Grand Cru sites Ölberg, Hipping and Pettenthal), the 2022 Fuchs Riesling from the vitiforest 'Clos' parcel, and the 2017 Pettenthal GG — eight years on the yeast, 100% natural, and at 9.5% vol the lightest GG ever released.
The week ends where it started — Croatian cooking and festival wines at Kafana.
Before You Go
The week builds to Sunday 25 October — 84 low-intervention wineries from 15 countries under one Brooklyn roof. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out.