Trending Now: Wine Festivals for 2015
Many wine festivals have educational opportunities including The Food Network’s 14th annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
What’s better than wine and travel? Wine as an excuse to travel. Below is a list of reasons to get out of Dodge (and a couple to keep you close to home).
Jan 30th-31st marks the 10th anniversary of Portland’s Seafood & Wine Festival in Oregon. If Oregon wine and seafood is what you crave, you’ll find all you need right here. www.pdxseafoodandwinefestival.com.
Feb 19th-22nd is the 37th annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival in Newport, OR. Artists, culinary professionals and winemakers converge on this coastal town to celebrate the fruits of the vine and sea. Beat the winter chill with a cup of chowda in one hand and a glass of vino in the other. www.seafoodandwine.com.
March 4th-8th BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival celebrates its 10th year. Come see why Charleston, South Carolina was voted by readers of Condé Nast Traveler ‘Best City to Visit in the World’ in 2014. The festival showcases local chefs, artists and farmers as well as Northwest favorites, Andy Ricker of Portland’s Pok Pok and Alex Sokol Blosser, winemaker at Sokol Blosser Winery. www.charlestonwineandfood.com.
April 24th-26th-Everything’s big in Texas and that includes the Austin Food & Wine Festival. It’s a spectacular outdoor event with culinary rock stars, award-winning wine and cocktails. www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com.
May 20th-23rd is the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. It’s hard to top the cuisine and vibe of The Big Easy. Featuring over 1,000 wines from around the world, 2015 celebrates their 22nd year. www.nowfe.com.
June 5th-7th enjoy the 39th anniversary of the Monterey Wine Festival in California. Buy an all-access pass to the weekends’ events including an intimate Friday night VIP gathering with tantalizing bites and sips, a West Coast chowder competition, live music and even spirits and cigars. www.montereywine.com.
The 29th annual International Pinot Noir Celebration held on the picturesque grounds of Linfield College in McMinnville, OR is the event for pinot lovers. Photo courtesy of IPNC.
July 24th-26th-The 29th annual International Pinot Noir Celebration held on the picturesque grounds of Linfield College in McMinnville, OR is highlighted by a salmon bake, outdoor tastings, seminars and showcases 60 Northwest chefs throughout the weekend. This is the event for pinot lovers. www.ipnc.org.
August 21st-24th in 2014. Dates are TBD for the 18th annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival held in Vancouver USA at Esther Short Park. An extravaganza of jazz, wine and art that has grown from one to four days in the living room of Vancouver USA. www.vancouverwinejazz.com.
Sip some pinot gris as chefs turn up the heat at the 25th annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. Photo courtesy of Kate Russell Photography.
Sep 23rd-27th celebrates the 25th annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. If you’ve not had wine from New Mexico, you’re in for a treat. If the fall sky doesn’t claim your heart, try some sangiovese from Estella del Norte Vineyard and you’ll know what I mean. www.santafewineandchile.org.
Food plays a big role in many wine festivals and Food Network’s 8th annual New York City Wine and Food Festival is no exception. Even hot dogs can be elevated at Hot Dog Happy Hour. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Oct 15th-18th marks The Food Network’s 8th annual New York City Wine and Food Festival benefiting No Kid Hungry and Food Bank for New York City. www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com. Their sister event-the 14th annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival-is held Feb 19th-22nd is hosted by a myriad of Food Network personalities including a Best of the Northwest Dinner featuring northwest cuisine and wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle. www.sobefest.com.
October 28th-30th celebrate the Denver International Wine Festival with over 60 wines as well as spirits, beer, seminars, vintner dinners and a wine competition in the Mile High City. www.denverwinefest.com.
December 4th-6th – 2015 marks the 24th annual Deck the Halls weekend along New York State’s Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Not an actual festival, this is the perfect Christmas season event. Participants visit over 30 holiday-decorated wineries while collecting Christmas ornaments to decorate the grapevine wreath included in the ticket price. Enjoy a small bite and wine pairing at each stop and receive a complimentary recipe book to replicate the food samples in your own kitchen (held Nov 20-22, as well). www.senecalakewine.com/events/trail-events/deck-the-halls-weekend.html.
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Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.