When spring arrives in the Southeast, food and wine fests pop up like weeds after a pelting rain. They are so plentiful, you need waders to get through the crappy ones. But some are worth the rising prices, and many benefit charities. Nothing wrong with drinking on a good conscience. Here’s a not-so-comprehensive list of those you might consider attending, even if it requires a flight or a full tank of gas.
High Museum of Art and Wine Auction
www.atlanta-wineauction.org
March 24 – 27th
Lenox Square and various locations in Atlanta
The best and brightest of Atlanta’s wine tasting schedule, the most expensive and the most uppity. Premier is only one word to describe this extraordinarily hedonistic event now in its 12th year. Easily one of the best wine events in the nation, it boasts over 100 first-class vintners in attendance. The four-day schedule includes the Vintner’s Reception, winemaker dinners at private homes throughout Atlanta, tasting seminars, a first rate auction featuring rare large-format bottles and amazing wine vacations, and the gala dinner dance. Tickets start at $55 and go way up from there. Proceeds go to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
Florida Winefest & Auction
www.floridawinefest.com or 877-FLA-WINE
April 13th – 15th
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Sarasota’s Winefest, now in its thirteenth year, is the crëme de la crëme of winefests in Central Florida. Plenty of our local rich folk arrive in splendor, pay boatloads of money for sell-out in-home winemaker dinners (prepared by local celebrity chefs and poured by winemakers) and to hang out at food and wine seminars. Although I don’t have bourgeois tendencies, I sure love Sarasota Winefest. It just has an enchanted feel… maybe it’s the nearly perfect weather, and the hoards of well-dressed people. Or maybe it’s just everyone is there to share in the love of food and wine. The event is well organized and never disappointing, and raises money for non-profit agencies with programs benefiting disadvantaged children in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Tickets range from $15 to $600 for the full meal deal weekend.
3rd Annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival
www.yvwf.com or 336-526-1111
May 15th
Elkin Municipal Park, Elkin, North Carolina
Yadkin Valley is the first officially recognized wine growing area in North Carolina, what the government calls American Viticultural Area (AVA). At this event, you can sample wines from eight Yadkin Valley wineries for only $10 (in advance), dance to local and regional music acts of all genres, browse the arts/crafts exhibitors and satiate hunger with food vendors.
4th Annual North Carolina Wine Festival
www.ncwinefestival.com or 336-733-5825
June 12th
Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC
This festival celebrates the burgeoning wine-growing regions in North Carolina. Eighteen wineries pour their heart-felt juice, from the earthy Muscadine variety to the ones we all know like Chardonnay and Merlot. Quality ranges from vile to surprisingly good, so come prepared to experiment. Also plenty of food vendors, entertainment and arts/crafts vendors to make this down-home fun. Tickets are $14, children under $12 admitted free.
Questions? Comments? Contact Taylor Eason at taylor.eason@weeklyplanet.com
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2004.
