Destination: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Travel Time from Philly: 1.5 hours by car
Contact: http://www.thehotelhershey.com/dining/wine-food-festival.php
Many of us have been to Hershey Park and know that it’s one of the sweetest places on earth. You can even smell chocolate in the air! What many of us may not have realized is that the sweet area where the Park is located has also been home to an annual Wine & Food Festival for the last five years. So, raise your glass and enjoy the fine wine and fresh flavors at the sixth annual Wine & Food Festival at The Hotel Hershey.
This fun weekend of spirited events includes everything from a comedy show, local winery tour, Bordeaux blending class, the Grand Tasting, and more.
Here are some of the events participants will have the chance to enjoy:
Friday, September 11
Wine, Dine, and Punch Lines
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Kick off the weekend with a reception hosted by Italo Jofre from Concha y Toro featuring wine selections and a Chilean themed dinner menu. Then, enjoy a selection of desserts and the lighter side of wine with “Something To Wine About,” a comedy show featuring Laurie Forster, The Stand Up Sommelier.
Saturday, September 12
Vine to Wine at Waltz Vineyards
8:30 –1:30 p.m.
This unique experience starts with a personal vineyard tour of Waltz Wineries in nearby Lancaster County, followed by a walk-through of the winemaking process by owners Jan and Kimberly Waltz. The morning will culminate with a tasting of their wines accompanied by local cheeses, crackers, and chocolates in their inviting tasting room. Transportation to and from The Hotel Hershey and box lunch is included. Outdoor dress and comfortable shoes for walking the vineyard are suggested. Rain or shine event.
Trinchero Bordeaux Blending Class
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a guided tour through the art of blending Bordeaux red wine and taste each of the five traditional Bordeaux varietals separately. Then participate in an interactive blending demonstration to create your own master blend.
Pio Cesare Wine Dinner
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Hosted by Italian Winemaker Cesare Benvenuto from Pio Cesare Wines, the evening begins with a reception on the Starlight Veranda at 6 followed by dinner in the Starlight Ballroom from 7-10 PM. Enjoy a delicious meal paired with wines as you hear directly from the winemaker and mingle with the other wine enthusiasts at your table.
Sunday, September 13
VIP Winemaker Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Start your day of wine and food tasting with a breakfast buffet and Mimosa bar. Several Wine makers from the Grand Tasting will be in attendance to mingle and dine with guests. Grand Tasting registration and wristband pick up available during breakfast.
The Grand Tasting
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Stroll the grounds and enjoy live jazz entertainment, more than 50 international and domestic wine stations hosted by official vintner representatives, a selection of domestic breweries, and delicious culinary samplings from our award-winning chefs.
