The number of wine festivals popping up across the nation are increasing. However, not all are created equal. Here are some of America’s best (food and) wine festivals in each of the 50 United States.
This list will be updated annually so if you feel we’ve missed a CANNOT MISS food and wine festival, please contact us with the event information and why it’s a must.
ALABAMA
Dates for 2020 to be announced, Huntsville
Presented by Homegrown Huntsville, and widely known as Alabama’s first state winery competition, Crush Wine & Food Festival is a must for wine lovers. Tickets for this much-loved food and wine festival don’t last for very long, so you’ll want to make sure you grab tickets quickly when the annual date is revealed.
It takes place in Big Spring International Park and attendees can sip as much wine as they’d like whilst listening to top local musicians.
May 9, 2020 at 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham AL
Attendees get to travel to all corners of the globe with the best wine and beer that are specific to certain regions. This wine and food fest features food for sale from some of the city’s best restaurants and you’ll get to enjoy music from local musicians too.
ALASKA
Annual Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival
January 17 & 18, 2020 in Anchorage, AK
A fun two-day event filled with tasting great beers and barley wines from Alaska brewers and national standouts, while also enjoying food samples, music, dancing and other entertainment. The food and wine festival supports two local charities; American Diabetes Association, Alaska Lions Club and is well worth putting in your calendar.
ARIZONA
May 15-17, 2020, at Railroad Avenue Park, Willcox, AZ
Rated by Fodro’s Travel as one of the top 10 wine festivals in North America, the Willcox Wine Country Festival is a weekend-long celebration that features Arizona wines from the Willcox region. The Annual Festival will showcase 18 Arizona Farm Wineries from Willcox Wine Country or with ties to the region, plus five music acts and over 70 local artists, crafts.
Sips & Skies Wine, Beer and Spirits Festival
Dates for 2020 to be announced, Sierra Vista AZ
Enjoy a weekend discovering Sierra Vista’s extraordinary skies and uncommon ground. Whether you’re sampling wine and spirits, climbing the towering Huachuca Mountains, bicycling along the foothills, or exploring the San Pedro riparian areas, Sierra Vista, Arizona is a great Memorial Day destination! The Sips & Skies event is roaring into its third year with a new name (formerly Savor Sierra Vista) and a fresh focus. The Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival will feature some of Arizona’s best wines, micro brews, and distilled spirits, rounded out with entertainment from the state’s top performers.
Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival
March 7-8, 2020
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Arizona’s original American Viticulture Area (AVA), Kief-Joshua Vineyards will be hosting the 8th Annual Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival, featuring 16 Arizona Wineries in one location at Kief-Joshua Vineyards, 370 Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ 85611. There’s free parking and musical performances will take place all day.
ARKANSAS
June 11-12, 2020, Fayetteville, AR at the Walton Art Center
Since 2000, Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine Festival has been enjoyed by Arkansans and visitors from across the country. This annual, multi-day food and wine festival has quickly grown into one of the largest in the region, featuring hundreds of wines, food from dozens of area restaurants and live entertainment. Proceeds from the Art of Wine Festival support Walton Arts Center, a non-profit arts presenting organization serving the region for more than twenty years. Each year more than 200,000 community members experience a variety of performing arts at Walton Arts Center and approximately 50,000 school children and teachers in Arkansas participate in our arts education and outreach programs.
CALIFORNIA
California is the largest wine producing state in the United States, it’s also home to the largest number of wine festivals. With so many amazing events we created a stand-alone post with California Wine Festivals not to miss.
COLORADO
Denver International Wine Festival
November 11 – 13, 2020 at Denver Marriott Westminster, Westminster, CO
Named by Fodor’s Travel as one of the top 10 wine festivals not to miss, the Annual Denver International Wine Festival is a must. (I’m biased to this show as I’m also one of the wine judges for the winners!) The festival has become the premier International Wine & Food Festival in the Rocky Mountains so set your expectations high and you will not be disappointed.
June 25 – 28, 2020, Telluride, CO
Since 1981, Telluride has hosted the prestigious Telluride Wine Festival. The food and wine festival is a beautiful gathering of the local culinary community, enthusiastic visitors, vintners and chefs from around the world. Also happening within the four days of world-class wines and cuisine are amazing modern-cuisine, cooking classes, a “Celebration of Colorado” featuring local wines and spirits, cooking demonstrations, cocktail classes and samplings of unique and deliciously prepared foods.
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival
July 23 – 26, 2020
The Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival takes place each July, which is THE perfect time of year to visit this scenic and captivating area. This food and wine fest features a selection of seminars, fine dining Winemaker dinners, the signature event, the Grand Tasting, which presents over 500 select wines from 25 wineries and distributors, food demonstrations, and more.
July 24-26, 2020, Breckenridge, CO
The Breckenridge Wine Festival is a unique wine and small bites festival held in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Indulge in exciting wine seminars taught by master sommeliers and food pairings that will tantalize the taste buds as you take in the amazing mountain views.
September 17-19, 2020, Breckenridge, CO
The Breckenridge Wine Classic is a premier destination event each autumn where master winemakers, culinary greats, and our distinguished guests gather to play, wine, and dine in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Sept. 17-20, 2020, Palisade, CO
Colorado Winefest has been voted the Best Wine Festival in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10 Best and for good reason. The “Festival in the Park” is the state’s largest and oldest wine festival featuring dozens of Colorado wineries, live music, a grape stomp, chef demonstrations and seminars.
June 19-21, 2020, Aspen, CO
Each year, FOOD & WINE hosts its FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, which has become one of the nations premier culinary events with the world’s most accomplished winemakers, celebrity chefs, and culinary experts coming together in one breathtaking setting – the base of Aspen Mountain. Foodies will delight in the range of food and wine offerings both in the grand tasting pavilion as well as the carefully curated seminars at this food and wine festival.
April 1 – 4, 2020, Vail, CO
In its 29th year, the Taste of Vail has been rated among the nation’s best spring food and wine festivals by Forbes, USA Today and The Travel Channel. During this year’s annual four-day event, 5,000+ people are expected to taste, sip and soak in the Vail Valley. The event features world-class restaurants, fine wine poured by winemakers and winery owners from renowned wineries throughout the world, interactive cooking seminars, the iconic Mountain Top Tasting sensory extravaganza at the top of Vail Mountain, and the famous Grand Tasting auction as well as other exciting events.
June 6, 2020, Manitou Spring, CO
Spend your day just outside of Colorado Springs in the charming and quirky town of Manitou Springs for the annual wine festival. Over 30 state-wide wineries offer tastings along with live music, food trucks and local vendors inside Manitou’s Memorial Park.
September 24-26th, 2020, Denver, CO
Ok, we know it’s not wine but it’s super fun and is the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served in a public tasting event plus a private competition. With Colorado being king of craft beers, it only makes sense to hit the GABF to explore craft beers from around the U.S. and the world.
CONNECTICUT
Greenwich Wine + Food Festival
2020 Date TBD
The multi-day event features a Master Chef Dinner on Friday evening, and all-day Saturday festival featuring tastings, demonstrations by celebrity and local talent, celebrity chef book signings, Burger Battle, Top Bartender’s Showdown and a live musical performance. The food and wine festival benefits local and national charitable organizations, with past beneficiaries including Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, James Beard Foundation, Greenwich Breast Cancer Alliance and more.
DELAWARE
Delaware Wine and Beer Festival
2020 Date TBD, Harrington, DE
The Delaware Wine and Beer Festival was the State’s first “official” wine and beer festival. In fact, it was the first of its kind, and still the only one that features all of Delaware’s breweries, wineries and distilleries. The festival includes music, performers, games, DJ’s, and access to a select number of local eateries featuring gourmet foods and Delaware delicacies. There will be vendors and a wine store with discounted prices on bottles or cases of Delaware-made wines.
Vendemmia da Vinci Wine Festival
Oct. 11, 2020, Wilmington, Delaware
This annual one-day wine festival on the Sunday before Columbus Day is a celebration of all things Italian and is regarded as one of the East Coast’s top Italian-American food and wine festivals. Sample fine wines from all regions of Italy and savor mouth-watering food from Greater Wilmington’s top Italian restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, dancing, a bocce ball tournament, an Italian beer garden, vendor displays and hand-crafted wine and homemade gravy contests.
Photo courtesy Moonloop Photography and Visit Wilmington
FLORIDA
January 24-26, 2020 Naples, FL
The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans by the Luxury Institute. Proceeds from the Festival benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation, whose vision is to make a profound and sustaining difference in the quality of children’s lives.
January 26 – Feb 02, 2020
The Key West Food & Wine Festival is a series of wine and food themed events showcasing a diverse range of wines and inventive cuisine. With more than 20 unique events including waterfront tasting, winemaker/chef collaborations and local funky events, it’s a great way to experience an authentic taste of Key West.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Dates TBD. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida
Over six weeks, this annual fall festival at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Park showcases food and wine specialties from 25 countries. You can explore international kiosks, cooking demonstrations, cheese seminars, culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, as well as live musical performances and wine/dinner pairings. Admission to the basic food and wine festival is included with park admission, but guests must purchase the food and drink separately.
GEORGIA
May 28-31, 2020
Jam-packed with tasting events, night markets, Southern cuisine and exquisite wines, the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival has been running since 2011. The goal of the organizers is to shine a spotlight on the outstanding food, wine, beer and spirits of the South and they do a really good job of doing just that!
November 4-10, 2020
Focusing on locally-sourced foods that represent the culinary heritage of the Lowcountry, this festival is a must for both food and wine lovers. There are usually 300+ vendors in attendance and they offer early bird discounts to select events so snap them up when they come on sale.
Dates to be announced
Whether it’s hail, rain or shine, attendees are invited to taste wines from around the globe and enjoy music at metro Atlanta’s largest outdoor wine festival. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and many other arts events that are free to the community.
HAWAII
Oct. 2 – 25, 2020
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. Set in the lush island paradise of Hawaii, the Festival will take place over three weekends on multiple islands, featuring a roster of more than 100 internationally-renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. The Festival in Hawaii 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.
IDAHO
June 14, 2020 at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, ID
For 13 years, The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission have hosted the annual Savor Idaho, which has become Idaho’s Premier Food and Wine Event. The event features a vast array of Idaho wineries and restaurants giving consumers a unique opportunity to savor the best Idaho has to offer in wine and food while enjoying live music.
Interested in learning more about Idaho wine? See our Idaho wine travel guide.
ILLINOIS
September 19 – 20, 2020, Matthiessen State Park, IL
The state’s largest wine festival is held at the picturesque Matthiessen State Park. The festival began in 2003, and each year more than 25 Illinois wineries pour the fruits of their labors at Vintage Illinois. The event is hosted by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the viticulture and enology interests of Illinois.
Chicago Wine Fest (Spring Edition)
May 16, 2020 at Lincoln Park Zoo
The Annual Chicago Wine Fest is an elevated wine tasting experience that aims to stimulate all of your senses with great food and live musical performances, all while sampling some of the best varietals from around the world.
INDIANA
Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival
June 6, 2020, Military Park in Indianapolis
This award-winning food and wine festival will take place at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. The festival celebrates Indiana wineries as they offer samples of more than 200 award-winning wines.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2020, Story, Indiana
The Indiana Wine Fair is one of Indiana’s oldest and largest wine events. For more than a decade, Indiana’s vintners have descended upon the little town of Story, Indiana to dole out one-ounce pours of their finest Reislings, Malbecs and Cabernets to an appreciative audience. You’ll be able to sample and purchase wines from over 30 of the state’s vintners. The fair will include a variety of food trucks and live chamber music from Indiana University’s school of music.
Photo Courtesy Visit Hamilton County
IOWA
May 26 – June 7, 2020, Des Moines, Iowa
Hosted by The Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation, WineFest is an annual event that celebrates fine food and wine while bettering the community. The event has grown into one of Des Moines’ most anticipated weekends of the year and has raised more than $400,000 for local charities and cultural organizations.
Iowa State Fair Wine Experience
Dates TBA
The Iowa Wine Experience at Grandfather’s Barn is open during the Iowa State Fair where visitors can learn more about the grape and wine industry in Iowa, sample Best of Show award-winning wines from the Commercial Wine Competition. Outside, the infamous Grape Stomp competition takes place four times a day and industry speakers talk twice a day about various topics such as wine making, tasting tips, craft beer and mead, growing grapes, hop production, etc. The whole family is welcome up on the hill, where children can learn more about grapes at the “Grape Get-a-Way” or play outdoor yard games, while parents relax at the end of a long day at the Fair with a glass of local Iowa wine, beer or craft soda and enjoy live music each evening.
KANSAS
April 2020
This annual three-day event is usually held every spring on the last weekend in April. It features the Old Town Walkabout – a food and wine sampling stroll through Wichita’s historic Old Town warehouse district; various wine dinners throughout Wichita; and concludes with the Grand Tasting and Auctions. Proceeds benefit the Guadalupe Health Foundation.
KENTUCKY
Dates TBA
The Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest is the Official Wine Festival of Kentucky where visitors can sip and savor their way through all of the 15 Kentucky wineries. The festival is held in historic downtown Nicholasville (home of First Vineyard, the first commercial vineyard in the United States) and Chrisman Mill Vineyard. It’s a celebration of all the wonderful things that make the Kentucky Good Life so darn good–especially the unique blend of history, heritage, and modern wine making available at Kentucky’s vineyards and wineries.
September 16-20, 2020, Bardstown, KY
I know it’s not wine but Kentucky is home to Bourbon. This annual festival is a must. Today it is one of the Commonwealth’s leading community festivals, saluting and showcasing the Bourbon making process and the storied history of Kentucky’s renowned industry. Many distilleries, plus genuine Kentucky arts and crafters, display their wares.
LOUISIANA
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
March 18-22, 2020
Each year hundreds of wineries and restaurants participate in the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. Menus feature local flavor and innovative creations inspired by diverse cuisines. Over two dozen restaurants feature special dining events throughout this New Orleans food and wine festival. The weekend also features over 1,000 wines from around the world, with special tasting events from wineries. You can enjoy grand tasting events, promenade evenings in the French Quarter, and seminar series to hone your palate.
MAINE
Maine Craft Beverage & Wine Pavilion
2020 Dates To Be Announced, The Union Fair
During The Union Fair, you can enjoy wines from over 20 Maine wineries. If wine is not your thing, the pavilion also offers select Maine made beer, and spirits from some of Maine’s best craft distillers.
Maryland
2020 Dates To Be Announced
The Maryland Wineries Association hosts Winter Wine at an exclusive setting at the B&O Railroad museum for an evening celebrating Maryland’s best wines and winemakers. Surrounded by the largest collection of antique trains in the United States, Winter Wine attendees will enjoy a curated line-up of award-winning, Maryland-appellation wine. Kicking off the evening with the Sparkling Reception, attendees are invited to an hour-long exploration of Maryland’s traditional and non-traditional sparkling wines where they will learn about the méthode champenoise. The main tasting event features regional wine tastings, designated by Maryland’s wine trails. Sample a wide array of varietals and blends from around the state while learning about Maryland’s distinct growing regions and approaches to making award-winning wine.
Maryland Wine Festival, Westminster, Maryland
2020 Dates To Be Announced
The Maryland Wine Festival is one of the oldest wine festivals in the country – 2020 marks its 37th year. Set at the Carroll County Farm Museum, the festival is surrounded by rolling hills and pastoral scenery – and features an incredible variety of local wines from across Maryland. More than 150 Maryland wineries will be onsite for you to sip through! Fine artisanal cheeses produced by creameries in Maryland, live music and local chefs will also be featured at the event.
May 16 – 17, 2020, Symphony Woods in Columbia, Maryland
The annual Wine in the Woods is one of the premiere events in the region and a source of pride for Howard County. The food and wine festival has been voted Best Outdoor event by Columbia Magazine in 1997 and 1998 and awarded Best Annual Festival in Howard County by Howard Magazine for the past five years. The venue- Merriweather Post Pavilion – Symphony Woods – sets this festival apart from other similar events as it can make attendees feel transported. Columbia is conveniently located between Baltimore and Washington D.C. but Symphony Woods is a beautiful green space that can help visitors feel much farther away than they are from big cities, traffic and the like. The festival features more than 35 local Maryland wineries, wine education seminars, food, fun and several more events.
Wine in the Woods 2017 Credit Howard County Recreation and Parks
MASSACHUSETTS
Nantucket Wine Festival, Nantucket, MA
May 13 – 17, 2020
Over the past 23 years, the nantucket Wine & Food Festival has become one of the most celebrated food and wine events in the country. Thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod – the world’s historic whaling capital becomes the nation’s wine capital every May. Famous for its vast array of featured winemakers and talent, the Nantucket Wine Festival began in 1996 as a one-day Grand Tasting event held on the beach in Siasconset, the eastern-most tip of the island. It has since grown. The festival now draws over 3000 attendees to the island for this annual spring fête and boasts a continually growing family of vintners, wineries, renowned chefs and restaurants.
Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival
October 21-25, 2020
Launched in 2007, the Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival proudly brings together the culinary talent of Martha’s Vineyard, and the farmers, fishermen, oyster producers and artisans with whom they work. Guest chefs and vintners from around the world are all there, too, celebrating the Island’s rich tradition of farming and fishing that has helped make it the culinary gem that it is today. A highlight each year is the Grand Tasting held on iconic Harbor View Hotel’s Great Lawn. The event features more than 300 winemakers, distillers, brewers, gourmet food venders and restaurants, and provides attendees access to top chefs from Martha’s Vineyard, Boston and beyond. During the four-day event, Harbor View’s Great Lawn and signature restaurant Lighthouse Grill, led by Executive Chef Richard Doucette, also provide the backdrops for an array of culinary seminars, tastings and dinners.
MICHIGAN
May 18-28, 2020
One of Michigan’s largest wine tasting events, Detroit Uncorked features more than 250 wines, Michigan beers and premium spirits.
June 20, 2020, Warren Dunes State Park
The wine festival features fantastic regional live music programming, a big top tent that houses locally-grown-and-produced wine varietals from The Lake Michigan Shore AVA including 12 Corners, Baroda Founders, Cody Kresta, Cogdal, Contessa, Dablon, Domaine Berrien, Fenn Valley, Gravity, Hickory Creek, Karma Vista, Lawton Ridge, Lazy Ballerina, Lemon Creek, Round Barn, St. Julian, Vineyard 2121, Warner and White Pine. Visitors have access to the beach and beautiful Lake Michigan, an enviable sunset all below the backdrop of the towering sands of Warren Dunes.
Saturday, June 13, 2020, Leland, MI
Enjoy tasting local award-winning wines from 12 Leelanau Peninsula wineries and one local brewery, delicious specialties from eight local food vendors while soaking up beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands from our Leland Harbor venue. Live music, artist booths and the beach will all be a part of the festivities at this food and wine festival.
2020 Dates To Be Announced – Downtown Paw Paw
The festival offers something for everyone including tastings and tours for wine enthusiasts; a 5k, grape stomping competition, kayak race, and other contests for the active members of your family; four stages of entertainment for music-lovers; and carnival rides, fireworks, and the parade for all ages. This is one weekend you won’t want to miss.
MINNESOTA
2020 TBD
The annual event is hosted by the Minnesota Grape Growers Association and features 40 of the best local wine makers to pour samples for you. Artisan cheeses and gourmet small bites will also be offered, to create an evening full of mouth-watering experiences. Jazz music will fill the Grand Ballroom all night, with annual Awards presented to Minnesota’s best wine makers.
MISSISSIPPI
April 4, 2020, Ridgeland, Mississippi
Since 2006, Santé South has grown into the largest wine and culinary extravaganza in the state of Mississippi. Epicureans and connoisseurs in the greater Southeast revel in the fresh and flavorful cuisine. Boutique vintners from across the globe travel to Mississippi to present their annual new release wines. Santé South affords a rare opportunity for the wine enthusiast to speak directly with the winemaker and features more than 120 exceptional wines and fine food samplings from more than 20 top Mississippi restaurants. World-class wine offerings reveal the highest quality available from all corners of the winemaking-world stemming from a passion for wine and the desire to share it with others.
MISSOURI
September 12, 2020
Independence Uncorked is the largest wine festival in Missouri. It features 25 Missouri wineries sampling several of their wines, a guest spirits distiller, and over 2600 attendees. The day will also feature art, music, beer, food booths and wine classes. The festival is hosted at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, an 1852 mansion and estate once owned by George Caleb Bingham, the famous Missouri artist. Proceeds from the events will go towards various national and local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Eastern Independence.
MONTANA
The Montana State University Billings Foundation’s Wine & Food Festival
May 11 – 16, 2020
The Montana State University Billings Foundation’s Wine & Food Festival has become a signature event in Montana and the region for wine and culinary enthusiasts.
February 14–17, 2020
Montana’s premier luxury ranch resort, The Resort at Paws Up, continues its annual WinterFest Culinary weekend, with notable culinary talent and winemakers from California’s coast. This four-day, three-night weekend food and wine festival includes intimate cooking demonstrations, winter-themed feasts, wine tastings, a festive ice bar, and an exhibition curling match.
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
August 7-8, 2020, Omaha, NE
This wine festival soars to new heights as festival participants sample some of wines from more than 18 of Nebraska’s best wineries, all under the soft glow of colorful hot air balloons.
May 15-16, 2020, Omaha, NE
Held at Tala’s Pumpkin Patch, this inaugural summer event celebrates Nebraska’s vintner scene featuring more than 150 wines from 20+ Nebraskan wineries. In addition to wine tasting, visitors can enjoy live music, shopping, food samples and more.
NEVADA
2020 TBD
An hour west of Las Vegas and an hour east of Death Valley National Park you’ll find the town of Pahrump, otherwise known as the heart of the desert. Who knew it was also home to the Pahrump Valley Winery and Sanders Family Winery. Every year, Pahrump Valley Winery hosts the annual Grape Stomp, which has become a traditional fall celebration in Pahrump. The stomping of the grapes starts in the afternoon around 1 p.m. (You must sign up for the grape stomping in advance.) There is usually seven two-person teams stomping every 15 minutes for a four hour period. At the food and wine festival, visitors will find craft booths, food, and live music and yes wine tasting. People can enjoy the park like atmosphere, beautiful trees and fall weather as they sit and enjoy a glass of refreshing wine.
Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival
October 1-4, 2020
The Las Vegas Food & Wine Festival is a celebration of the senses, featuring an eclectic selection of elegant fare from locally renowned celebrity chefs. Feast on an enormous array of delicious foods, invigorate yourself with sensational spirits, and enjoy the good life.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
January 23, 2020
Whether you’re new to wine, an expert or anywhere in between, New Hampshire Wine Week offers opportunities not to be missed. For a full week each winter, the Napa Valley comes to New Hampshire, bringing wine industry giants, educational seminars, hundreds of varietals, gourmet food and more. It all revolves around northern New England’s largest wine event – the Winter Wine Spectacular to benefit Easter Seals.
January 17 – February 16, 2020
Perched on New Hampshire’s 18-mile seacoast, the historic Wentworth by the Sea Hotel & Spa opened its doors in 1874. After an extensive $30 million restoration in 2003, the Wentworth maintains its legacy as New Castle’s grandest hotel. Every January, the hotel hosts its annual Winter Wine Festival, a month-long celebration of wine, food, and song. Events include a multi-course Grand Vintner’s Dinner, a Big Tasting in the Grand Ballroom, weekday Flight Nights, Shell-Shocked – an oyster event in SALT’s lounge – and Bubbles and Jazz Brunches.
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Wine & Food Festival
May 1 –3, 2020, Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg, NJ
The annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival is one of largest independent food and wine festivals in the U.S.
Annual Jersey Shore Wine Festival
April 25 – 26, 2020, FirstEnergy Park; 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ
Festival goers can look forward to sampling wines from a nice variety of award-winning Garden State wineries. In addition to wine tastings, there will also be live entertainment, as well as crafters, retail vendors and food vendors.
NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta
September 23-27, 2020
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta celebrates five days of events featuring 90 national wineries and 75 of Santa Fe’s best restaurants. The festivities include cooking demos, wine seminars, and winery luncheons and dinners. The fiesta culminates with the Grand Tasting at the legendary Santa Fe Opera venue where all participating restaurants and wineries will serve samples. The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is a great way for visitors to get to Santa Fe in the fall season to experience the famous green chile harvest/roasting season as well as the inventive pairings of Santa Fe’s gourmet cuisine with wines from around the country.
Photo provided by Tourism Santa Fe Wine
NEW YORK
Oct. 10-13, 2020
The NYC Wine & Food Festival is considered the largest food and wine festival in New York City. With more than 100 events, it is widely recognized for its tastings in celebration of America’s favorite foods, intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, late night parties, hands-on classes, educational seminars, coveted wine tastings and more. Headed into its 13th year, guests return year after year to sip, swirl and savor world-class cuisine, wine and spirits served up by the industry’s finest and America’s most beloved television chefs all in support of the fight to end hunger. To date, the festival has raised $11.5 million to help fight hunger, with 100 percent of the net proceeds benefiting the No Kid Hungry® campaign and Food Bank For New York City.
July 10-12, 2020, Watkins Glen, NY
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival—named “Best Wine Festival in the USA” by USA Today readers—is held each July at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY—also named “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. The food and wine event fuses wine tasting with regional artisans, music, culinary classes, cooking demonstrations, and breweries and draws thousands of visitors each year. Camping, glamping, and pace car rides at Watkins Glen International are also available during the event.
February 15, 2020
This unique winter festival, hosted by Casa Larga Vineyards, celebrates the sweet dessert wines produced from grapes that have been left to freeze naturally on the vine. The wine festival offers visitors ice wine samples from a variety of New York wineries, an ice wine infused menu, horse-drawn wagon rides through the vineyard, ice wine tours, seminars, chef cook-offs, and more.
February 7 – March 8, 2020
Entering its 13th year, Winterfest takes place on Long Island’s East End on the famed North and South forks home to dozens of vineyards, charming B&B’s and pristine beaches. From February to March, the four-week long Winterfest combines locally-made wine selections with live music, dance and theater performances and farm-to-table culinary delights. Featured events include private tastings with winemakers, VIP tours, exclusive specials and yoga/wine activities all paired with transportation and luxurious hotel accommodations.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest
September 12-13, 2020, Rhinebeck, NY
The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest is a celebration of the bounty of New York. The food and wine festival features hundreds of wines from Hudson Valley wineries, NY distilled spirits, craft beers and gourmet specialty foods from all over the country. Visitors can learn more about wine through the festivals educational seminars and brush up on their culinary skills with cooking demonstrations from regional celebrity chefs throughout the weekend.
Oct. 22 – 24, 2020, Marriott Marquis, New York, NY
Hosted by Wine Spectator, the event includes sit-down seminars, and a VIP Critic’s Choice Grand Tasting, a two-night event featuring 250+ wines from the world’s best wine-growing regions. Guests will also enjoy wine pairing lunches and a grand award banquet featuring the wining wines from the Grand Tasting.
NORTH CAROLINA
Dates TBD
For almost 20 years, the North Carolina Wine Festival has been held with the on-going mission to educate the public on wine appreciation and the wine quality of our North Carolina vineyards. It has become the longest-running and largest wine festival in North Carolina. The festival travels to three cities throughout the year – Clemmons, Midtown Park at North Hills and Selma – bringing with it North Carolina wines, breweries, spirits, and ciders paired up with chef-inspired treats too.
NORTH DAKOTA
2020 Dates TBD
The 1st Annual North Dakota Wine Festival took place in 2019 and organizers are looking forward to bringing another successful event to wine lovers in the region in 2020. Attendees will enjoy a wine pairing dinner, fun Sip and Wine activities, and wine sampling that showcases wines from the best wineries in North Dakota, northwestern South Dakota and eastern Montana.
OHIO
March 7, March 14 & March 21, 2020
Join Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards & St. Joseph Vineyards for Ohio’s 17th Annual Ice Wine Festival, a progressive tasting of the ice wine produced in the Grand River Valley. Each winery will provide a sample of their ice wines along with a complimentary appetizer. Enjoy a featured event at each establishment.
2020 Dates TBA
This annual two-day festival boasts dozens of wines from all over the state, local artisans, live entertainment, food trucks and more. For those who want even more variety, there is a craft beer section to enjoy. Voted by USA Today 10 Best.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Wine Walk & Brew Fest
2020 TBD
The Oklahoma Wine Walk and Brew Fest feature wineries and breweries from across the state allowing you to sample the vast selections of true Oklahoma wine and beer.
OREGON
International Pinot Noir Celebration
July 24-26, 2020, McMinnville, Oregon
The three-day event is famous around the globe, as a mecca for lovers of Pinot noir and northwest cuisine. During the weekend, world-renowned winemakers, northwest chefs, esteemed media, epicures, and wine lovers will gather in McMinnville, Oregon, for three days of exploring Pinot noir, savoring unforgettable meals, and learning and celebrating with luminaries of the food and wine world. Along with the speakers and chefs, it is the relaxing and festive atmosphere that sets it apart from all other food and wine festivals. Whether tasting Grand Cru Burgundy or walking through Oregon vineyards with the grower who planted them, guests find themselves unwinding in picturesque Oregon wine country for what wine legend Jancis Robinson described as “one of the most enjoyable wine weekends in the world”.
Spring Barrel Wine Tasting Event Weekends
April 18-19 & 24-26, 2020, Yakima Valley
Yakima Valley wine tasting from the barrel is a unique experience. Expect wines to taste different than you are used to out of the bottle. The vintages are brand new – giving tasters a sneak peek in to how they could mature. Will it be an award-winner? You be the judge at Spring Barrel celebrations. You have two weekends to participate: On April 18-19, many wineries are open for “pre-barrel.” This is an opportunity for a bit slower pace and more education from the wine-maker as crowds are smaller. The weekend of April 24-26th is Spring Barrel Weekend, where droves of people gather in the Yakima Valley for the largest wine festival in the Pacific Northwest to experience the new vintages straight from the barrel. Many wineries have local food pairings, live music and festivities.
Northwest Food and Wine Festival
2020 TBD, Portland, OR
The annual Northwest Food and Wine Festival has become the definitive wine festival in Portland with a targeted half-day wine and food celebration. The festival brings the highest quality regional wines, spirits, beers, foods and prominent chefs and restaurants. It’s designed to present a rich and rewarding experience for wine lovers, gourmet food enthusiasts and industry experts.
PENNSYLVANIA
June 20 -21, 2020
A family-friendly weekend of Pennsylvania wines, 250 to be exact, unique vendors, local food, and live bands. If wine isn’t your thing, head over to Brew Kids on the Block, the festival will offer a tour of Pennsylvania’s 20 or so newest breweries.
Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival
June 21 – 22, 2020, Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, PA
Uncork summer with the Annual Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine and Food Festival. This two-day outdoor festival features food and craft vendors, live musical entertainment, and samples from an estimated 30 Pennsylvania wineries.
RHODE ISLAND
New Port Mansions Wine & Food Festival
September 17-20, 2020, Newport, RI
Sophisticated and sublime, this festival features a two-day grand tasting of hundreds of wines and food samples on the lawn of one of Newport’s historic mansions. The festival attracts top wineries from around the globe and offers visitors the opportunity to view cooking demonstrations and seminars, join in a collectible wine dinner, and gala.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston Wine + Food Festival
March 4 – 8, 2020
The annual food and wine festival infuses home-grown flavor with top chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for a five-day event that spans the first full weekend each March.
SOUTH DAKOTA
2020 TBD, Vermillion, SD
Wine and distillery tastings, wine tours, toga competition, grape stomping, music, farmers markets, art, cooking demonstrations and amateur wine making competitions is what this festival is all about!
Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival
April 3 – 4, 2020, Historic Deadwood, SD
If you love fine food, wine and distinctive brews, don’t miss the annual Forks, Corks and Kegs Food and Wine Festival. Sample a variety of beer and wine from all across the country, as well as the Black Hills favorites as you make your way to various tasting venues across town. Each location will feature their chef’s finest culinary creation paired with the perfect complimentary beverage. Then head to the granddaddy finale, a Grand Tasting, featuring dozens of beer and wine varieties, light hors d’oeuvres, and dessert samples.
TENNESSEE
A Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival
April 25, 2020, Wilson County Exposition Center, Lebanon, TN
A Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival is a celebration of local wineries. At the festival, each winery offers complimentary samples, as well as wine for sale by the bottle or the case. Stroll from booth to booth sipping Tennessee wines, savoring gourmet specialty foods, shopping for handcrafted items from local artisans, enjoying music, and attending the wine and food sampling seminars.
TEXAS
April 24-26, 2020, Auditorium Shores in Austin, TX
The Austin Food + Wine Festival, sponsored by FOOD & WINE, brings an array of taste, talent and culinary entertainment to the Capital City while helping to support the non-profit, Austin Food & Wine Alliance. The three-day weekend is the epitome of high spirits, with a packed schedule of hands-on grilling demos, up-close tastings with top chefs and sommeliers, and a Grand Tasting event like few others.
2020 Dates TBA, Waco, TX
Located in the picturesque Indian Spring Park, Rootstock will feature 16 of Texas’ best when it comes to wines grown and produced in the Lone Star State. The wine festival will also feature a half-dozen local chefs and restaurants competing to create the best small bite to pair with Texas Tempranillo – visitors get to vote for the winner!
Sept. 17 – 20, 2020, Grapevine, TX
The Annual GrapeFest is truly a Texas wine experience. Attendees will enjoy wines not only from Texas, but as well as wines from Finger Lakes region of New York and Niagara-on-the-Lake region of Canada. (This is also located in my hometown! I grew up attending every year and my parents did a lot of volunteering at the wine booths… I promise, it’s A LOT OF FUN!) Check out more on the Grapevine Urban Wine Trail.
UTAH
August 2, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT
From creatively crafted cocktail experiences, eclectic progressive dinners, to wine education events, Salt Lake Food & Wine Fest brings you a week-long culinary festival filled with top restaurateurs, wine educators, mixologists and food lovers.
VERMONT
The Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival
2020 Dates TBD, Wilmington
The Annual Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival has been designated as one of North America’s Top 100 events by the American Bus Association, the only Vermont event to have made the list. The festival is set in the backdrop of the Vermont fall foliage, attendees will discover, savor and enjoy Vermont vintners, small specialty food producers, chefs, painters, publishers, cheese makers, potters, jewelers, photographers and farmers.
VIRGINIA
March 3 – 8, 2020, 2018 Richmond, VA
Lonely Planet named Richmond to its 2018 Top Ten must-visit list of the U.S. destinations you “need to see”. The amazing craft beverage and food scene were mentioned prominently. If there is one event in Richmond that encapsulates the amazing craft beverage and food scene in Richmond – and Virginia – it’s the Virginia Wine Expo.
Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival
2020 Dates TBD, Charlottesville, VA
The Charlottesville area may be known for its renowned historic sites like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the prestigious University of Virginia (both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites), but more recently, the destination has been receiving top accolades for its wide variety of wines. Wine Enthusiast recently dubbed the Charlottesville area as one of the top wine destinations in the world. With all of these recognitions and 30+ wineries, there is a festival that celebrates and embodies the area’s affinity for a good glass of vino – the annual Taste of Monticello Wine Trail Festival. The wine festival includes special winemaker events, a Monticello Cup Awards celebration, and it culminates with a huge wine tasting where attendees can sample a large variety of local wines from the area’s 30+ wineries.
WASHINGTON
March 19 – 22, 2020, Seattle, WA
Four days chock-full of some of the best wine and food Washington State has to offer are at the Taste Washington. Sip exclusive pours from world-class vintners, eat gourmet bites from some of the nation’s most-talented chefs and partake in private food and farm tours – all for the pleasure of your taste buds at this food and wine festival.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Wine & Jazz Festival
2020 Dates TBD, Morgantown, WV
West Virginia Wine and Jazz Fest is just what it sounds like, a weekend filled with wine and jazz in West Virginia. The festival is more than just a good time though; it’s for a good cause. To date, the festival has raised/donated $459,602 to various local organizations in need.
WISCONSIN
Sep 19 – 20, 2020, Cedarburg, WI
Enjoy the bounty of fall at Cedarburg’s Annual Wine & Harvest Festival. Farmer’s market, Arts on the Avenue, grape stomp, grape spitting contest, hayrides and live music are uncorked at this event in Cedar Creek Park. With the abundance of Wisconsin’s home-grown produce and artisan foods plus the award-winning wines of Cedar Creek Winery, this free, family-oriented arts and crafts event is a must for all fest-goers!
October 22 – 25, 2020, Kohler, WI
Mark your calendar for the annual Kohler Food & Wine Experience – a four-day extravaganza of food, wine and fun. This interactive culinary event features celebrity chefs, libations specialists, wine experts and epicurean enthusiasts from around the world for dynamic culinary seminars, tastings and signature festivities.
WYOMING
March 6, 2020 Sheridan, WY
Cowboys and connoisseurs come together every March for Sheridan’s Wild West Wine Fest, a fundraising event for the Downtown Sheridan Association. The Wine Fest is an evening with friends, a wide selection of fine wine, delectable food, and unique auction items up for bidding, all for a great cause. With wine glass and auction number in hand, join the Downtown Sheridan Association’s efforts to revitalize and preserve Sheridan’s historic downtown. This event offers tastings of more than 100 wines and beers along with endless hors d’oeuvres all evening.
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19 Comments
Kuzey Tekinoglu March 21, 2018
Nice article…
For a wine lover this post is really important….
Keep up the good work…
Elaine Schoch March 21, 2018
Thanks and cheers!
Perry H April 03, 2018
Heading for New Jersey in May, perfect!… thanks Elaine!
Elaine Schoch April 04, 2018
Hope you have a great trip!
Erika Ann April 04, 2018
I’ve been into wine recently and how I wish I could visit the US just to attend 2 or 3 of these events. Great effort and research Elaine thanks for this.
Eva Orlando Travel April 23, 2018
Our holiday in New Jersey it was kind a journey! We talked to the family living there, enjoyed a beautiful, home-cooked lunch and participate in wine festival. I miss that time!
Michelle Bainbridge January 17, 2019
What a helpful and comprehensive listing, Elaine. Thanks for including one of my favorites, the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta. I have attended close to 20 times. I wrote about it on my blog. https://www.wheresthewineblog.com/places/santa-fe-wine-chile-fiesta/
Elaine Schoch January 18, 2019
Wow, 20 times!!!!
Kiye Sic January 29, 2019
Good blog! Thanks for sharing..
Jeremy Williamson February 08, 2019
You forgot about Wisconsin’s largest winter wine festival, Frozen Tundra Wine Fest.
https://www.44wineries.com/events/frozen-tundra-wine-fest/
Elaine Schoch February 11, 2019
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out.
April February 16, 2019
Another WI tasting that’s well worth a mentioned is Madison’s https://isthmus.com/events/isthmus-uncorked/
Elaine Schoch February 18, 2019
Awesome, thanks for the tip!
Kitty Deschanel February 17, 2019
I have a great one to add to New Mexico – the Taos Summer Wine Festival. It blows the one in Santa Fe out of the water! (https://www.kittydeschanel.com/2018/09/taos-wine-festival-progressive-dinner.html)
Elaine Schoch February 18, 2019
Awesome, thanks for the tip!
Kitty Deschanel February 17, 2019
The Wine and Wagyu Weekend in Angel Fire, NM is also worth listing. (https://www.kittydeschanel.com/2018/08/taos-angel-fire-to-do.html) If I had to choose, my favorite is the more upscale one in Taos, but with the two wine festivals only a week apart, it’s easy to attend both in the same trip.
Elaine Schoch February 18, 2019
Great, thanks for the tip!!
Naomi January 12, 2020
Love this! Will be saving it for later. Wine is life <3
Elaine Schoch January 13, 2020
Cheers!
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