Over the past 15 years, the Nantucket Wine Festival has become one of the country’s most celebrated and prestigious wine and food events.
Situated in the heart of downtown Nantucket and attended by world-renowned winemakers, chefs and celebrities, the 16th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival takes place May 16-20, 2012.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
An unusual and enlightening seminar, “The Greatest Chef You Never Heard Of.” Hailed by Thomas Keller of French Laundry fame as one of America’s greatest culinary talents, Damon Baehrel has created a cuisine that uses native and home-grown ingredients to create an amazing array of dishes defying traditional concepts. His style is independently derived and is unlike any other that we’ve encountered. His restaurant, the Basement Bistro in Earlton, New York, has a two-year waiting list. Guests will have an unforgettable opportunity to savor Damon’s food without waiting! Winery TBA.
Former CBS newsman Bill Kurtis has found a new passion—the virtues of Tallgrass Beef, why it is healthier, tastier, more environmentally responsible, and more humanely raised than any grass-fed beef available anywhere. He will present a seminar explaining the reasons for the superiority of grass-fed beef in general and Tallgrass Beef in particular. He is a charismatic speaker and a passionate advocate. Chef and winery TBA.
Back by popular demand, Veuve Clicquot will once again offer its world-class Champagne during the Festival. Winemakers from the celebrated Champagne house will also conduct special seminars throughout the weekend.
Famous for its array of distinguished winemakers and luminaries, the Nantucket Wine Festival’s 2012 lineup includes: Ray Coursen of Elyse Vineyards, David Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards, Tim Mondavi of Continuum Estate, Robert and Maria Sinskey of Sinskey Vineyards, Amaury Devillard of Domaines Devillard, Alex Gambal of Alex Gambal, Christopher Howell of Cain Vineyard & Winery, David Miner of Miner Family Vineyards, Larry Stone of Rubicon Estates, Chris Hall of Long Meadow Ranch Winery, Joe Donelan of Donelan Family Wines, Paul Chevalier of Château d’Esclans, David Guffy of Hess Collection, Manuel Louzada of Numanthia, Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, David Grieve of Grieve Family Wines, Ernst Loosen of Weingut Dr. Loosen, Janet Myers of Franciscan Estate and Mt. Veeder, Wendy Stuckey of Château Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Merry Edwards of Merry Edwards Winery, Tom Eddy of Tom Eddy Wines, Don Ross of Shibumi Knoll Vineyards and many others.
The Festival’s popular symposia, the equivalent of a graduate course in advanced wine philosophy, feature hour-long tastings and discussions followed by lunch paired with the wines produced by participating vignerons.
The Festival’s signature event, The Grand Tasting, will be held at the historic Nantucket Yacht Club (1 South Beach Street, Nantucket). We are pleased to announce that Island Creek Oysters will be returning to this event, after a year’s hiatus, to shuck their glorious oysters for one and all. Over 200 wineries will participate in the invitation-only event, so you can be sure that the quality level will be superb. · The annual Nantucket Historical Association auction dinner will be held at the famed White Elephant Hotel.
WHERE: White Elephant Hotel (50 Easton Street, Nantucket)
The White Elephant Hotel, a Nantucket “grande dame,” serves as the Festival’s home base and hosts many of the Festival’s events, including The Harbor Gala, the Celebrity Chef and Winemaker Auction Dinners and the majority of the wine & food seminars. Events are also held at locations throughout the island, including restaurants and private homes.
WHEN: May 16-20, 2012
BACKGROUND: The Festival is attended by over 200 global wineries, each typically represented by the winemaker or vineyard owner. Celebrity chefs from Boston, Nantucket, Providence, Newport, New Jersey and New York lead seminars in wine and food pairings, perform cooking demonstrations and mingle with attendees. The Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket Combined Charities and the Nantucket New School are the Festival’s charity partners.
TO REGISTER: For a complete description of all events, logistics, lodging pricing, contact the Nantucket Wine Festival at winefete@comcast.net or (508) 228-1128, or visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com.