Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival Starts Today in Blowing Rock

Holly Soukup 2012 winner

 April 11-15   Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival   Enjoy wine tastings, seminars, cooking classes, wine makers' dinner and much more. New this year is the Grillin' and Chillin' event. The Grand Tasting event is downtown and special guest this year is Teresa Guidice!

This year's events include:
April 11   Fire on the Rocks Chef's Challenge:  Experience the best culinary show you've ever tasted!  The Chef's Challenge is a battle between the area's best-known chefs. Diners judged the preliminary events and now at the finals too! Dine on 6 amazing courses at the finale. Finale dinner will be held at Crippen's Restaurant. Reservations are required. 828.295.3487.

April 12,  6 PM  Uncork The Festival:  A Taste of Ethiopia and South Africa, A Benefit for Wine to Water at Crestwood Resort and Spa.  Take a tour of Ethiopian and South African  with  sights and flavors, using the expertise of area businesses Climbing the Walls, Events by Elizabeth Ashley, The Gamekeeper, The Table at Crestwood and Wine to Water in a sublime collaboration of floral design, decor, food and wine. The atmosphere of Crestwood will be transformed  with the colors, tastes and aromas of these culturally distinct regions. Palates will come alive with the rich and bold flavors of an array of tapas-style food and complimentary tastings of 6 different wines, and senses will be heightened as guests journey through these two countries without leaving the High Country. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival souvenir wine glass. Music by Scott Smith will complete the evening's festivities.

April 12-13  Wine Seminars and Cooking Classes:  An easy, laid-back atmosphere make these festival favorites. Ttwo days of seminars and classes this year offer you  more options and times. Held across town in several different locations, a class is always close by. Topics include Wine and Chocolate, Wine and Cheese, Wine and food/Spices, Hidden Treasures/ Best Values, Pasta and Wine, Cooking to chocolate and more.

April12-14   Wine Makers' and Vintner's Dinners:  Area restaurants team up with  wineries to create Vintners' Dinners.  Prix Fixe menus will showcase the best pairings the chef and vintner have to offer.  Nine restaurants participate.

April 13   Grillin' and Chillin': New this year, The Blue Ridge Mountain Club offers a true taste of North Carolina. North Carolina is famous for its barbeque, and here  you can get it in the most authentic way.  A whole hog pig pickin', barbequed chicken and all the fixins, including banana pudding.  And to go with this fabulous meal, enjoy a selection of North Carolina wines, North Carolina craft-made beers and music by some of the area's best artists. Your ticket price will include tastings of the North Carolina wines and craft beers. Full glasses and bottles of wine will be available for purchase from the vendors.

April 14, 2-6 PM - The Grand Tasting:    The Grand Tasting is the centerpiece of the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival. Located in the heart of Downtown Blowing Rock under the main tent.  The tasting showcases an assortment of wines from North Carolina wineries as well as from vineyards around the globe. Find new favorites among international, domestic and NC vintages.  

April 14, 7 PM  VIP Charity Wine Gala:  The Gala celebrates the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival in style. Area wine lovers, foodies and dignitaries alike will gather at the elegant Broyhill Furniture Showroom for an entertainment-packed evening including a performance by the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and music by Old Gold Jazz Trio of the Wake Forest University School of Music.

Additional Festival Events include: Bartenders' Brawl, Barrels of Fun, Flights and Bites, Cork and Canvas at the BRAHM, Coffee Cupping Sessions, Sunday Champagne Brunches and a variety of Musical performances.

Get a link for the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival and other Blowing Rock Information HERE.