The Sip Schedule: A Wine Lover’s Quarterly Guide (Q4 2023)

October 4-8 — Bayhaven Food & Wine Classic (Charlotte, NC)

• ATTEND FOR: A celebration of “Black foodways and the industry members who make them possible.” This 3rd annual diasporic celebration of culinary culture was created  to elevate inclusive conversations around food, facilitate education, and showcase excellence in hospitality. With Black-owned wine brands like La Fete du Rose and Mermosa Wines, and the McBride Sisters as sponsors, the BFWC is sure to deliver in spades. Tickets: $150-$225

October 5-7 — Park City Wine Festival (Park City, UT)

• ATTEND FOR: A simple yet customized wine experience. You’ll find  over 15 wine-driven events with fantastic options such as the “Wine is Blind” blind wine tasting party (cocktail attire, please) with a deejay and dancing; a new world vs. old world lunch; an all-red wine dinner; and a guided 90-minute hike culminating in a plein-air alfresco lunch with stunning mountain views as the backdrop. Tickets: $85-$275

October 12-15 — NYC Food and Wine Festival (New York City, NY)

• ATTEND FOR: Four jammed-packed days of event categories of all kinds, such as walk-around tastings, demos, masterclasses, and even trade-only events—plus a grand tasting. What makes this festival even more fun is that many of the events will be hosted by some of your favorite chefs, sommeliers, and culinary content creators, held at some of the most popular and iconic restaurants and locations in the Big Apple. Tickets: $95-$315

October 20-21 and October 29-November 5 — Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (Island of Hawaii and Oahu, Hawaii)*

• ATTEND FOR: A culinary focus on indigenous ingredients. The rich heritage of Hawaii’s indigenous communities are in the spotlight—spread out over multiple weekends and multiple islands. Wine on the waterfront is the underlying theme of this beachy affair that showcases a wide variety of food and wine experiences. Major Island of Hawaii events include an “Indigenous World Cuisines” tasting featuring 10 chefs creating dishes using ancestral foods and pairing them with wines, as well as an Indigenous Food Culture panel. Tickets: $25-$1,500.                               

*Writer’s note: with respect to the devastating fires, it’s with intention that festivals occurring in Hawaii have been included to support continued travel to the island (where safe and possible) at a time when affected hospitality workers need tourism revenue the most. Please note that festival events originally scheduled in Maui have been postponed to spring of 2024.

October 20-22 — Amelia Island Cookout, (Amelia Island, FL)

• ATTEND FOR: An oceanfront autumnal “weekend of epicurean delights” with a punch of Southern flair. This laid-back yet luxe event provides experiences over three days, starting with a Latin-themed alfresco dinner + food and wine pairing workshop on Friday, a cookout on the beach on Saturday, and a culminating brunch hosted by the Ritz Carlton chefs. Sunday’s programming includes a “Master Chefs Dinner” featuring wine pairings by sommelier Michael Kennedy. Tickets: $150-750. Packages from $405 to $1,575+

October 25-28 — La Fete du Champagne, (New York, NY)

• ATTEND FOR: A quintessential event for the Champagne-obsessed.  Billed as an “epic party” with “the world’s finest bubbles,” La Fete is a multi-day festival helmed by two renowned wine figures: Champagne writer and expert Peter Liem and sommelier Daniel Johnnes. Plus, to spread the Champagne love, Peter and Daniel are taking the show on the road to host a second  smaller fest in Houston, Texas November 3-4. Hurry though—tickets are selling out fast for both cities. Tickets $125-$2,900. Packages: $1,500-$1,700.

October 26-29: Tasting Texas Food + Wine Festival (San Antonio, TX)

• ATTEND FOR: A celebration of under-the-radar Texas wine. To echo what hip-hop artist Andre 3000 once said, this fest wants you to know, “The South’s got something to say!” For those out of the loop: YES, Texas is making some spectacular wines, and it’s high time that more people know. A few events with top billing include the “Becker Luncheon,” a multi-course meal in the vineyard paired with Texas wines, the “HalloWine” 5k run, and a “Champagne Brunch on the San Antonio River” hosted on a decked out barge. Best of all is that a portion of the proceeds will fund scholarships through the James Beard Foundation to benefit Texas culinary students. Tickets: $20-$300. Packages: $240-$520

October 26-29: Ojai Food and Wine Festival (Ojai, CA)

• ATTEND FOR: A 4-day experiential culinary and fermented feast. Check out these highlights to whet your appetite: a “Caviar Masterclass” that includes an exclusive palate preview of the 2015 Louis Roederer Cristal; a Domaine de la Côte vineyard site-specific tasting; and—for the piece de résistance —the “Michelin 3-Star Celebration” private estate dinner.  While it may be a somewhat refined affair, it also doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evidenced by a seminar on elevating your grilled cheese sandwich. Important to note: One of the festival events will benefit The Roots Fund and Wine Unify, two nonprofit organizations with a mission of increasing and supporting equity and inclusion in the wine industry. Full packages $3,950 and up.

October 26-29 — The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival (Nassau, Bahamas)

• ATTEND FOR: An elite roster of culinary talent, including  Marcus Samuelson, Carla Hall, and Simeon Hall Jr. Only in its second year of existence, this culinary and artistic affair will feature over 20 unique culinary events (like the food and wine pairing dinner hosted by Chef Amanda Freitag with wines by Villa Antinori winery–which was recently named “The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand”) and cultural events in celebration of the Bahamas. Another cool factor: guests will have the opportunity to party on the sand while eating, drinking, and listening to Sting play live on a stage built over water.  Tickets: $165-$250. Weekend pass, $768.90+

October 29: Two Up, Wine Down (Charlottesville, VA)

• ATTEND FOR: Well-deserved spotlights on divine wines of the East Coast and talented wine professionals from underrepresented communities. Co-hosted by Oenoverse + The Veraison Project in partnership with Blenheim Vineyards, the event  bills itself as a “movement”—not just a wine festival. The event will showcase the world-class wines being made in Virginia, foster connection and community, and highlight featured hospitality from communities of color. Don’t forget the fab food trucks and a dope deejay for a day of good vibes. GA Tickets: $40-$50 (VIP is sold out).