Can you believe it? The Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival is celebrating its tenth year! And you better believe it’s going to be even more amazing than ever, with more events, guest chefs, and more.
If I were footloose and fancy free or on a girl’s weekend, this would be my dream itinerary. However, in reality I will most likely only be able to venture out to a couple of these dreamy wine and food signature and small batch events.
Small batch events are more intimate and the signature events are those anchors that continue to grow and be crowd pleasers, with new additions and things to experience.
Year after year, I like to go to Fresh Off the Farm. This signature event is fun way to experience wines from sustainable family run vineyards with food prepared by Island chefs and local food.
Strolling around the Agricultural Hall, sipping and savoring, while listening to Good Night Louise is a great way to spend an evening. There are still a few tickets available (click here) for this event, highlighting so many great things about the Fall on Martha’s Vineyard’s food scene. This festival kickoff event happens on Thursday, October 19th, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and costs $75.
Friday’s Itinerary
I would have loved to do Lobsterpooloza on Friday, a small batch event, but it sold out quickly. So, I think that Italian Salumi & Specialties Culture 101 would be a great substitute, after all, who doesn’t love cured meats?!
This event, held on Friday, 2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m., at The Grill on Main, features Salumi Educator, Expert, and Epicure, Marco Mocellin. Marco has quite the portfolio in this world, and is known for use of traditional and innovated techniques for curing food.
It promises to be an “interactive Italian Immersion Experience as you taste your way through and learn about Italy’s finest artisanal cured meats and cheeses.” Not only will you be able to taste an incredible selection of charcuterie and cheese, and what wines to choose, but you’ll also learn a trick or two on creating your own boards. This taste of Italy in Edgartown is only $50, click here for tickets.
Next up, I would have to go to the Somm Throw Down with Joseph Carr, Newport Restaurant Group’s Shawn Westhoven, and Bar Mezzana’s Heather Lynch. I love this event, and have gone to the last three. This event is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the MVFW Main tent at the Harbor View Hotel.
If you like wine, winning, and a little teasing, this is for you. These wine experts do their best to win your vote for their wines. They charm and share knowledge, and will definitely make you laugh. You’ll also take away a lot of knowledge, all while enjoying food prepared by Bar Mezzana’s, Colin Lynch. Grab a good friend to take to this one!
Next it would be off to the world of Sake. This is one wine group that is a mystery to me. I don’t know what’s good, the different types, and would like to learn a bit. Shells & Sake – The Best Oyster Pairing you’ve never had! offers just this.
Sake expert, Monica Samuels will introduce you to a number of small, family run sake producers from Japan, and pair them perfectly with some incredible oysters, including our own Cottage City Oysters. I feel as though this is going to be an eye-opening small batch event. It’s at the Harbor View Hotel from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Since I would already be at the Harbor View Hotel, I might as well enjoy an incredible dinner there! Luckly at 7:00 p.m., there’s the Island Inspired featuring Chef Jeremy Sewall and Chef Richard Doucette.
Chef Jeremy Sewall, an award winning Boston chef (Island Creek Oyster Bar, Row 34 and Les Sablons) teams up with the Lighthouse Grill’s Executive Chef Richard Doucette, who is also amazing, to create a 5-course dinner honoring the diversity of local seafood. I imagine each dish will be stunning in presentation, delicious, and would love to see what wines are used for each course, as a seafood lover myself.
Saturday – An All Day Affair
Let’s have some fun after breakfast. At 11:00 a.m. at the Harbor View Hotel, there is the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Tasting. Here, you’ll meet Jessica Kelly of Woodford, and experience a unique bourbon tasting, and learn about the different flavors, while pairing with bites.
I feel as though this would be a helpful tool for me, since I have recently begun enjoying bourbon more. I discovered it over the Summer at a great race day at the Saratoga Race Track, and have been intrigued since.
Of course you’d have go to the Grand Tasting, VIP 1:00 p.m., general admission, 2:00 p.m. Last year, at its new home, the Great Lawn at the Harbor View Hotel, I had the most wonderful time. Being under the expansive tent, meeting vintners, and local purveyors, this event is truly a dream experience for wine fans.
With over 300 winemakers, spirits, and beers, you are sure to find new favorites and enjoy yourself to the fullest. Where else can you chat casually with wine maker, Joseph Carr about his newest Dylan’s Ghost?
After the Grand Tasting, there are wine dinner options that keep the festivities going. I usually need a little down time after the tasting, but there are really amazing options this year for dinner. There’s the Jean Trimbach Dinner featuring Cultivar’s Mary Dumont and Chef Richard Doucette (Jean Trimbach is a renowned 12th generation wine maker).
There’s also From Knights Bridge Winery to New Jersey – A Coastal Exploration of Sea, Farm and Vine, and the sold out Turnball Wine Dinner.
However, you choose to celebrate wine and food on Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday night will be memorable. The events you go to make great conversation pieces and great memories.
You can end the weekend with brunch on Sunday at the Harbor View Hotel, sipping bubbly, enjoying the Harbor View’s incredible brunch, all while watching a bit of a fashion show from The Great Put on in Edgartown.
And it’s a wrap for me. Cheers to all my wine friends! There are many more incredible events in the 10th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival, Thursday, October 19th – Sunday October 22nd, click here for a full list and to get tickets for your perfect celebration of food and wine!
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