Food and Wine Events Around the Country

The Best of Food and Wine Festivals around America!!!

The Napa Valley is well known for its many signature food and wine events. The granddaddy of them all is our very own Napa Valley Wine Auction that takes place every June here in the Napa Valley and is one of the most prestigious and successful wine events in the country. Over the years many new events around the US have been popping up offering food and wine enthusiasts new opportunities to indulge in delicious events hosted in their favorite travel destinations from palm trees and beaches to snow-capped mountain settings and everywhere in between.

These spectacular food and wine events offer attendees the opportunity to savor amazing dishes offered by both local chefs and notable celebrity chefs. Also on the scene are vintners from around the world from your favorite wine appellations pouring their signature varietals. Most events also offer charity auctions, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, guest chefs specialty lunches and dinners as well as special events pertinent to the region. Food and wine events are usually limited during fall months as vintners are busy with harvest and crush. Though you can easily find a food and wine event every month of the year…

 Here are a few of the best food and wine events offered during the year:

 January Events

 Naples Winter Wine Festival – Naples, Florida                                                               

The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans. The festival has earned the distinction of being one of the most successful charity wine auctions in the nation. An array of notable Napa Vintners will join an impressive selection of vintners from around the world to share their top wines with guests of this prestigious event. Check out the festival’s website for a full list of vintners and culinary participants. In addition, world-class items will be auctioned off at the event’s signature live auction, including tickets to the Golden Globes, collections of some of the world’s most sought-after wine, a private tour of Gettysburg with legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, and much more. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised more than $123 million for children in need. www.napleswinefestival.com

Annual Taos Winter Wine Festival – Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Wine Country comes to the historic town of Taos with Tao’s best restaurants serving signature appetizers and owners and winemakers from 36 participating wineries including Frank Family, Merryvale, and Flora Springs. The Grand Tasting features more than 155 wines and a silent auction of rare wines. All of this while enjoying turns at Taos Ski Valley. www.taoswinterwinefest.com

February Events

South Beach Wine and Food Festival – Miami, Florida

Presented by the Food Network and Cooking Channel, this is a national, star-studded 4-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producer, chefs, and culinary personalities. The festival is taking significant strides to enhance its Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting. The event hosts 200 renowned chefs and 150 wine and spirit producers to create over 50 events, including cooking demos, beer and wine seminars, golf tournaments, dinners, and lunches. A grand selection of Napa Valley wineries will be among the many participating vintners. www.sobefest.com

March Events

Florida Winefest and Auction – Sarasota, FL

The Florida Winefest and Auction feature a wine tasting, brunch, and charity auction, winemaker dinners, and “Wine on the Water” an upscale party featuring a huge selection of wines under the Winefest tent on Sarasota Bay. The event has awarded over $7.5 million in charitable grants with proceeds benefiting various children’s charities. Visit www.floridawinefest.org or call 941-952-1109

April Events

Annual Taste of Vail – Vail, Colorado

The Taste of Vail is the nation’s premier spring food and wine festival, held at several venues throughout the Vail Valley’s world-class resorts. Over 5,000 people are expected to attend this celebrated event experiencing the Vail Valley lifestyle tasting culinary treats from Colorado’s world-class restaurants and wines poured by winemakers and winery owners from around the globe. Activities include interactive cooking seminars, the 11th annual Lamb Cook-Off, après ski tastings, and the iconic Mountaintop Picnic sensory extravaganza on the top of Vail Mountain and the famous grand tasting. For information or to reserve tickets call 970-306-1334 or visit www.tasteofvail.com

Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine – Pebble Beach, California

Pebble Beach Food and Wine presented by Food and Wine Magazine is the premier epicurean lifestyle event on the West Coast, showcasing 250 acclaimed wineries and 75 celebrity chefs to create a hedonistic four-day gastronomical event on one of the most picturesque strips of coastline in the world. Throughout the weekend you will enjoy intimate access to the pinnacle of culinary and wine talent at wine tastings, cooking demos, and some of the most exclusive, unique dining opportunities available around the world. Various locations throughout Pebble Beach, including Inn at Spanish Bay and Lodge at Pebble Beach. For info call 866-907-3663 or visit www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com

New York Culinary Experience – New York, NY

Passionate food lovers enjoy an intimate weekend of hands-on masterclasses, cooking, and conversation with more than 30 of the culinary industry’s most celebrated talents. Join in for two days of sensory adventure. You will cook, taste, laugh, and learn from some of the world’s culinary giants making memories that will last a lifetime. Celebrated chefs including David Bouley, Jacques Pepin, Jean Georges Vongerichten, and more. For more information www.nymag.com or call 646-314-4413

May Events

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience – New Orleans, Louisiana

Experience the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans through local cuisine paired with wines from around the world. This 4-day event kicks off with wine dinners around the city. The Grand Tasting features 1000 vintages and more than 75 chefs, plus seminars and the Royal Street Stroll on Thursday and the Big Gateaux Show on Friday. Tickets range from $50 to $150. Call 504-583-5550 or visit www.nowfe.com

June Events

Annual Monterey Wine Festival – Monterey, California

The Monterey Festival continues to evolve into a platform designed for the regional wine industry and the community of wine lovers. Spirits, beers, wines, and chowders make this a not to be missed gathering. Professional chefs from the West Coast compete and chowder lovers pay homage. Along with all the festival ingredients, live music is the final sensation. 1-800-422-0251 www.montereywine.com

Annual Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, Kapalua, Maui, HI

Celebrate the 3-day event tasting celebrated wines from every region of the world paired with regional Hawaiian cuisine and a bounty of seafood fresh from the Pacific Hawaiian waters. Set on the beautiful shores with ocean views and the majestic Kapalua Resort. Tickets for select events are available for purchase a la carte. For more information call 808-665-7231 or www.kapaluawineandfoodfestival.com

Food and Wine Classic In Aspen – Aspen, Colorado

Food and Wine Magazine will showcase its main areas of expertise at its 33rd annual fundraiser in the majestic Aspen Mountains featuring numerous chef celebrities like Gail Simmons and Andrew Zimmern. Guests will learn how to cook, nosh on international and regional cuisine, attend events, seminars, and grand tastings. There are several pass options available. Call 877-900-9463 or visit www.foodandwine.com/classic-in-aspen.

 August Events

 Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival

Now in its fifth year, the Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, presented with generous support from founding partners FOOD & WINE and Lexus, is a four-day epicurean event showcasing the finest in food and drink culture throughout Los Angeles, and culinary personalities from throughout the nation. Set amidst one of the most iconic streets in the country and washed in cultural sophistication due to its thought-leading residents like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Colburn School of Music, The Music Center, Grand Park, MOCA, and the much anticipated Broad Museum., the event spans the city and offers guests the chance to sample the cuisines and products from some of the most prominent epicurean influencers, while enjoying the sights and sounds of the entertainment industry’s brightest talents. The talent coming for this weekend is second to none for a food and wine festival including celebrated chefs such as Alex Guarnascehlli, Tyler Florence, Curtis Stone, Michael Chiarello, Michelle Bernstein, Thomas Keller, Elizabeth Falkner and local favorites such as Ray Garcia, Michael Fiorelli, Neal Fraser, and David Lefevre. www.lafw.com

October Events

Hawaii Food and Wine

The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival operating as a non-profit organization is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. Set in the lush island paradise of Hawai‘i, the Festival will take place over three weekends on multiple islands, featuring a roster of over 100 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. The Festival in Hawai‘i Island, Maui, and Oahu will showcase wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting the state’s local farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. www.hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com