Northern Ireland Wine and Spirit Institute (NIWSI)
Adventures in wine
Coming up in 2025:
Tuesday 30 Sept 2025 – 8:00 pm: Making Wine Sustainable with Delaney Sheridan at Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast
Friday 10 October – 7:00 pm: Annual Members' Dinner, Riddel Hall, Queen's University Belfast
Tuesday 14 October 2025 – 8:00 pm: Wines of Lanzarote with Sinead Germaine Smyth at Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast
About the Institute
Tastings are held at the Ramada by Wyndham, Belfast City Centre. If you'd like to attend a tasting or join the Institute, contact: NIWSIsecretary@yahoo.co.uk. Our event and membership fees go directly into providing the best and most exciting wines for our members.
The Institute was founded in November 1979, at a meeting in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast and originally named the Northern Ireland Wine & Spirit Education Trust Association. The name was later changed to avoid confusion with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
Events
Join NIWSI members for a casual walk around tasting at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in Belfast on Tuesday 16 September at 6:30pm. Tickets only £15. Taste wines from Old and New World producers from the NIWSI's own wine collection, including wines from Lebanon, Bordeaux, Italy and Spain to name a few. Taste something new and learn more about the NISWI and our upcoming wine tastings.Read More
- Date:09/16/2025 06:30 PM - 09/16/2025 06:30 PM
- Location 20 Talbot St, Belfast BT1 2LD, UK (Map)
- More Info:Ramada by Wyndham Hotel, Belfast
Past Events
| Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wines of Alsace with Master of Wine Anne McHale | 19 Jun 2025 | Thursday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Oz Sercan Vatansever of Ox, Belfast | 06 May 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Iberian Wine with Jeremy Shaw | 08 Apr 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| A journey through German wine | 11 Mar 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Wines from the Thracian Lowlands of Bulgaria | 11 Feb 2025 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Christmas Tasting | 10 Dec 2024 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast | Closed |
| Committee Favourites | 12 Nov 2024 | Tuesday | Ramada by Wyndham, Talbot Street, Belfast |
Our Committee
Anne McHale
President
Anne, originally from Belfast, is an award-winning Master of Wine. She took first class honours in French and Classics at Cambridge, discovered the delights of wine while studying in France, and joined the wine trade. We are honoured to have her as our President.
Richard Lee
Past Chairperson
Richard took his level 4 WSET exam (Diploma) with the WSET in London before moving to Northern Ireland in 2014 and joining the Institute. He loves organising wine trips for members. The most recent trip was to France in summer 2025.
Alastair Bell
Vice President
Alastair's name is synonymous with the Institute, and indeed, with wine education in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Association of Wine Educators and has been a member of the Institute since its inception in 1979. Alastair has a fine cellar. He particularly enjoys the wine of the Loire.
Committee
Members
Chair Dennis Ensing - Vice President Tim Hughes - Vice President Alastair Bell - Secretary Lisa Wilson - Treasurer Paul Kavanagh - Member Joe McGlade - Member Caron Cullen - Member Karla Amirault
Membership Benefits
Tastings
Members will receive a discount for every wine tasting of at least £15.
Discounts
NIWSI members receive a 15% discount at Direct Wine Shipments in Belfast
Exclusive events
Access to member-only special events including the Annual Dinner, Enniskillen wine weekend and Wine Study Trip abroad
How To Join
Membership is £60 per year. To join please email niwsisecretary@yahoo.co.uk
