We’re back with our quarterly roundup of curated wine events! Here, you’ll find culinary fests all over the country—and some international events, too—plus bonus resources to assist those interested in professional opportunities or ways to step up their wine knowledge. Dive in below!
JULY
WINE HOLIDAYS
July 3 – American Sparkling Wine Day (July 3 annually)
July 12 – International Cava Day (July 12 annually)
July 26 – Shiraz Day (4th Thursday of July annually)
July 25 – National Wine and Cheese Day (July 25 anually)
WINE + FOOD EVENTS
July 5-6 – Douro & Portugal Wine Festival (Lamego, Portugal)
- ATTEND FOR: Unfettered, exclusive access to dozens of Douro and Porto wine producers and renowned national chefs in one location and experience. A wine village where you can sip by the glass or drink by the bottle, a chef’s demonstration stage, and live music to serve as the perfect soundtrack to it all awaits guests in one of the most significant and prolific wine regions in Portugal–and arguably Europe. The area is particularly exciting for lovers of white wines that have crisp acidity, vibrant aromatics, and lively fruit flavors–think Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain), Vinho Verde, and Verdelho. Tickets: $38-$54 (plus additional costs for some of the wines)
July 11-14 – Wine & Culture Fest by The Hue Society (Washington, DC)
- ATTEND FOR: A “dope wine festival dedicated to consumer education, brand awareness, industry advancement, and cultural experiences through the black lens.” Guests can look forward to events like a welcome reception overlooking the Potomac, a women-led wine masterclass, the signature R.I.C.E. event, and the Roses and Rosé Awards Brunch which will shine a well deserved celebratory spotlight on underrepresented “trailblazers, newcomers, and innovators” in the industry. Tickets: $50-$550
July 13 – Uncorked Wine Festival Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)
- ATTEND FOR: Sipping over 100 sparkling and still wines with the wonders of science as the backdrop. The Great Lakes Science Center serves as the setting for this festival where attendees can sip their way through the museum, take part in science demos, and partake of culinary delights from a variety of food trucks. Best of, proceeds will benefit the Art Therapy Studio of Cleveland. Tickets: $65-$85
July 17-21 – Crested Butte Wine + Food Festival (Crested Butte, CO)
- ATTEND FOR: A summer to remember with over 30 wine and food-fueled experiential events. “Summer Nostalgia” is the theme of this multi-day festival that has an incredible slate of creatively aligned events like a foraging hike, a “Tour de Forks’ campfire wine dinner, the “Bonjour, Summer!” French wines seminar, a “Women in Wine” tasting experience, “Wines of Woodstock”, and “Sustainable Sips” just to name a few. Tickets: $45-$3,750
July 18-21 – International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (Niagara, Ontario, Canada)
- ATTEND FOR: Seriously elevating the sip factor for wine lovers who like to party Chardy. Chardonnay lovers, this is your mecca. I4C is a dynamic, multi-dimensional event focused on exploration, education, and elevated experiences. Via 60+ wineries, guests will be led into a discovery of distinctly characterized cooler climate Chardonnay-forward wines. For winescholars, Thursday’s “School of Cool” will feature 3 seminars covering topics including weather extremes and new techniques in sparkling wine production, while wine aficionados will be delighted to explore Ontario wineries up-close at multiple in-person vineyard brunches and luncheons. Tickets: $20-$1,327
July 19-20 – California Wine Festival Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA)
- ATTEND FOR: Sun, sea, sand, surf, shore and some serious sips. Beautiful beachfront bites and fermented imbibing are the order of the day at this fest where hundreds of wines will be on offer alongside live music and artisanal food. The signature event, the “Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting”, is where the decadence is truly on display, as guests will have exclusive access to high-end and limited production wines paired with gourmet appetizers. Tickets: $75-$205
July 24-27 – Bordeaux Wine Festival (Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux, France)
- ATTEND FOR: An insanely affordable–and incredible–opportunity to taste some of the most famous wine varietals in the world. The Bordeaux Wine Festival is returning to the banks of the Garonne river for 4 glorious days of sipping. Eighty-plus appellations will be represented in 9 categorized tasting pavilions: Wines of Medoc; Bordeaux whites; the Cotes; Saint-Emilion Pomerol Fronsac; WInes of Nouvelle-Aquitaine; Rosé, Clairet and Crémant de Bordeaux; Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur reds; Graves-Sauternes; and Mouton Cadet. Each pass provides the opportunity to taste 11 wines–the perfect impetus to come back each day of the fest so you can try even more–plus 1 workshop at the Bordeaux Wine School pavilion and access to entertainment. Tickets: $25 (USD)
AUGUST
WINE HOLIDAYS
August 1-31 – Finger Lakes Wine Month
August 1 – International Albariño Day (August 1 annually)
August 4 – National White Wine Day (August 4 annually)
August 13 – International Prosecco Day (August 13 annually)
August 18 – International Pinot Noir Day (August 18 annually)
August 28 – National Red Wine Day (August 28 annually)
August 30 – International Cabernet Day (August 30 annually)
WINE + FOOD EVENTS
August 1-2 – Telluride Reserve (Telluride, CO)
- ATTEND FOR: Partaking in exquisite food and wine experiences “nestled amidst the dramatic summits of Telluride…” This festival has a longstanding reputation as a penultimate culinary affair, and it’s a reputation that’s well-deserved. The exceptional programming includes “Rocky Mountain Baja”, an actual moveable feast and interactive chef-driven dinner featuring Mexican wines of Baja, California; “The Alpenglow Ascent to Bon Vivant”, an alfresco dinner experience under the stars’ and a “Adieu Barbecue” showcasing open flame cooking–plus several seminars and an ultimate Grand Tasting. Tickets: $150-$595
August 8-11 – Vail Wine Classic (Vail, CO)
- ATTEND FOR: An oenophile’s dreamlike immersion in over one-hundred wines “from the West Coast to France”. This one’s definitely for the wine geeks, nerds, and aficionados as several events are cleverly grouped by regions and styles. Guests can select luncheon options based on their sipping preferences, such as Spanish wines, high-altitude wines, strictly Cabernets, the wines of Willamette Valley, or Australian wines. Plus, adventure seekers and nature lovers will have their choice of wine hikes, the athletically-inclined can partake in pickleball, and the leisure lover can indulge in a languorous sparkling wine brunch. Tickets:$95-$285
August 22-24 – Breckenridge Wine Classic (Breckenridge, CO)
- ATTEND FOR: Getting the wine break – or should we say “Breck” — you need. August summer days serve up picture perfect weather in Colorado, and this festival intends to take full advantage of it. The very first day of programming includes the first of two outdoor tented Grand Tastings, followed by a reserve wine tasting set to occur just as the sun sets over the mountains. The wine event component runs deep as well, with many of the lunches and dinners offering region specific pours: think California, Texas, Oregon, and South American sessions, all led by a variety of Somms and wine personalities. For those looking to earn their wine calories. There will also be wine hikes, too. Tickets: $99-$275
August 29-September 2 – The Mauna Lani Culinary Classic (Waimea, HI)
- ATTEND FOR: Sipping and supping in the lap of luxury, while honoring culinary achievements from Hawaii and beyond. Event attendees will be saying E ʻai kākou! (“Let us eat!”), as their every culinary and quaffing craving is sumptuously fulfilled by a talented roster of James Beard award-winning chefs. Clamoring for Omakase? There’s a 17-course event for that. Seeking an in-depth comparison of Old World wines versus New World ones? You’ll be up to the gills in fermented delights. Plus champagne and caviar will be on deck in case you need a little pre-dinner pūpū. Tickets: $35-$595
August 30-September 1 – Galveston Island Wine Festival (Galveston, TX)
- ATTEND FOR: “Everything’s bigger in Texas” wine fest vibes. What happens when a state known for its culinary genius also becomes known for its wine growing and making skills? You get a wine festival of Texas-sized proportions. The festivities kick off with the “Seven on Seven Seafood Extravaganza” showcasing seven chef-created gourmet dishes paired with pours from “seven of the world’s finest wine regions.” Excellent wine-focused programming follows such as the “Vineyards Around the World” luxury wine tasting and the interactive “Penguins & Pinot: Grand Tasting” at the Aquarium–and in true Texas style there’ll be a wine tasting session that includes a fireworks show. Tickets: $125-$1,380
SEPTEMBER
WINE HOLIDAYS
September 1 – International Cap Classique Day (September 1 annually; Cap Classique is South African sparkling wine)
September 6 – National Chianti Day (1st Friday in September)
September 10 – International Port Wine Day (September 10 annually)
September 20 – International Grenache Day (3rd Friday in September annually)
WINE + FOOD EVENTS
September 6-8 – Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival (Paw Paw, MI)
- ATTEND FOR: Be ahead of the curve and experience an under-the-radar wine region on the precipice of becoming one of the most spectacular in the US. First, a fun fact: the city of Paw Paw is actually named after the Pawpaw: A Big Fruit in Need of Bigger Love – Heritage Conservancy, one of the largest edible fruits native to North America–and the most unrecognized. To that end, this fest similarly aims to make the Michigan wine region more recognizable, too, with 3 days of fermented fun. Boasting something truly for everyone, events include “tastings and tours for wine enthusiasts; a 5k, Grape Stomping Competition, [and] the Grape Lake Kayak Race”, plus parades, a carnival, and fireworks to boot. Tickets: free-varies per event
September 7-8 – Hudson Valley Wine & Food (Rhinebeck, NY)
- ATTEND FOR: A celebration of the distinctive food, farmland and vineyard culture of the Hudson Valley region. HVWF’s goal is to inspire people to start spreading the news about the glorious wine and food bounty New York has to offer. The county fairgrounds serve as the ideal locale for accomplishing exactly that through cooking demonstrations; seminars on wine tasting, food pairing, and sustainable farming practices; and, of course, plenty of artisan food and wine options. Best of all, guests can purchase bottles of the wines they like to take home with them, keeping the flavors of the festival going long after it’s over. Tickets: $38-$106
September 12-15– Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (Atlanta, GA)
- ATTEND FOR: A “four-day culinary extravaganza” celebrating Southern food and wine culture through a diverse roster of culinary talent. This veteran of the food and wine festival scene is turning it up another notch with over 50 chefs serving gastronomic excellence via multiple themed tasting tents (think “Georgia Grown Goodness” and “Thrill of the Grill”) and a series of intimate wine and spirit dinners. More events are still being added to the lineup. so sign up for the newsletter to get details first. Tickets: $99-$465
September 19-22 – Louisiana Food + Wine Festival (Lake Charles, LA)
- ATTEND FOR: Where laissez le bon temps rouler meets a fantastic food and wine foray. A city known for its casino gaming lifestyle wants people to know it has a vibrant culinary scene too! The LFWF is 4 days of food and wine fun–with a healthy dose of Southern hospitality–featuring a wine dinner, multiple masterclasses, a “grilling and BBQ extravaganza” on the lake, and a grand tasting. Plus, in true Louisiana style, a live jazz brunch closes out the fest with an epic buffet, carving stations, made-to-order-omelets, and unlimited access to mimosas, sparkling wine, spirits, and a Bloody Mary bar. Tickets: $59 – $225
September 19-21 – Winnipeg Wine Festival (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
- ATTEND FOR: Drinking good and eating good while doing good for others. The overall objective of this festival is to be “informative, educational, and entertaining wine experience for the public and trade…” while also being “a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry”, but the most awesome thing about this fest is it was created expressly for the purpose of fundraising for Special Olympic Manitoba. Programming includes a gala dinner and 2 days of public tastings, as well as “Wine Downs,” a series of innovative educational workshops and seminars set in intimate venues all access town. Tickets: TBA
September 26-29 – Chicago Gourmet (Chicago, IL)
- ATTEND FOR: A fest where wine, food and fashion intertwine, as guests are encouraged to flex their style as they feast. What makes this fest cool is its avant garde vibe, from the creative programming themes to the Chi-town chic event dress codes. At “Hamburger Hop” chefs will don their dopest kicks and competitively whip up their most inventive burger creations to pair with wine (and beer). “Grand Cru ” will have guests choose their experience based on attire: monochromatic black for the daytime session and monochromatic white for the night time session. Both sessions will invite guests to the rooftop to sip plenty of “well-designed wines” from the Southern Glazer’s portfolio. Tickets: TBA on July 23
September 27-29 – Charleston Food & Wine Classic (Charleston, SC)
- ATTEND FOR: Superlative sips and sumptuous sustenance by the seashore–with a dash of Southern charm. Guests will be dazzled by over 50 celebrity chef demos, wine seminars, and panels in addition to a luxurious 19,000-square-foot tented Grand Tasting pavilion offering over 100 wines paired with distinctly Charlestonian Southern foodways-style dishes. The skill level in talent line-up runs deep, too: Pitmaster + Sommelier Erica Blaire; esteemed Sommelier and Somm Journal magazine editor Wanda Mann; chef, author and restaurateur Alexander Smalls; and Femi Oyediran, Sommelier and co-owner of Graft Wine Shop (which was named one of the best bars in the US by Esquire magazine) are just a few of the participating personalities. Tickets: $1,950-$2,450
September 28 – USA Today Food & Wine Experience (Denver, CO and Providence, RI)
- ATTEND FOR: A fun opportunity to indulge in a couple of hours of relaxed and casual exploratory sipping. This USA Today 3-month 8-city wine and food tour kicks off on the same day in two cities so that guests can “taste, sip and savor the best wine and food that the local area has to offer.” Best of all, an emphasis on tapping into food and drink that’s connected to each tour stop’s region ensures a distinctly interesting experience in every city. Tickets: $60-$70
EDUCATIONAL & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Bonaccorsi Master Sommelier Exam Scholarship sponsored by Court of Master Sommelier, Americas
This $2,000 scholarship will go towards students sitting for the CMS Master Sommelier Exam, Tasting and Practical only (does not include the CMS Master Sommelier Theory Exam). Applicants must have a confirmed seat for the September exam in Houston.
DEADLINE: July 10. Apply here.
Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) Multiple Scholarship Opportunities
For Q3 2024, the WOTVS Foundation will offer four funding opportunities:
Professional & Leadership Development (up to $2,000)
This scholarship uniquely provides resources to cover a wide array of professional development activities that hospitality professionals can benefit from such as wine, spirits, and brewing conferences, and industry networking and learning events. Awardees can secure funds to cover registration/programming fees, travel, and hotel lodging for up to three nights.
DEADLINE: July 31. Apply here.
Student Educational Scholarships ($500 to $5,000)
Students enrolled in an accredited food, wine, hospitality, viticulture or other alcohol beverage industry related four-year college, community college or vocational/technical college will receive financial resources to dedicate towards tuition, course materials, lodging, and related educational expenses.
DEADLINE: May July 31. Apply here.
Continuing Education Scholarships ($500 to $5,000)
This opportunity provides funds to pursue career development activities such as executive coaching, professional public speaking programs, business management courses, and more for individuals actively working in food, wine, hospitality, and/or viticulture.
DEADLINE: July 31. Apply here.
WSET Scholarships ($300 to $8,500)
Created to improve the visibility of progression paths and opportunities for women in the wine and spirits industry, this scholarship is for those seeking to obtain any level of Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification.
DEADLINE: July 31. Apply here.
