April 1-4 Vail, CO—Taste of Vail

The Taste of Vail is in its nineteenth year. During the annual four-day event, up to 5,000 people are able to experience Vail Valley and Colorado's world-class restaurants with fine wine poured by winemakers and winery owners from around the globe. Participating chefs/restaurants include Marc Forgione, executive chef and partner of Forge (New York); Giuseppe Tentori, chef of Boka (Chicago); and Chef Enzo Fagione of Teatro Goldoni (Washington). Other activities include interactive seminars, après ski tasting, the Colorado Lamb Cook Off and the popular picnic extravaganza at the top of Vail Mountain. The numerous wineries selected to pour their premium wines are: Capiaux Cellars, Champagne Nicholas Feuillatte, Etude, Hendry Ranch Wine, Baileyana Winery and others. Proceeds from the Taste of Vail go to various charities in the Vail Valley. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 970-926-5665 or visit www.tasteofvail.com.

April 2 Boston, MA—Taste of the Nation

Taste of the Nation gathers more than 80 local restaurants, and over 40 wineries and breweries to donate their food, beverages and staff for one tantalizing night of gourmet fare and palate-pleasing wine at a tasting for the public. Boston’s top chefs joining in on the event last year included Andy Husbands of Tremont 647 and Jody Adams of Rialto, and among the top participating restaurants were Sister Sorel and Rouge. All proceeds from ticket sales go to Share Our Strength, an anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization. The VIP Reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and all others can enjoy food and wine from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Taste of the Nation Boston 2008, Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston. For ticket information, call 877-26-TASTE or visit www.strength.org.

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March 31-April 5 Kailua-Kona, Big Island, HI—Eighth Annual Kona Chocolate Festival

If there should be a celebration for anything in the world, it should be for chocolate. Come see why chocolate has long been revered as a gift from the gods at the Kona Chocolate Festival in the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. The multi-day event includes a Chocolate Symposium and decadent Gala on Saturday evening to end the event. The symposium will offer spa treatments, educational tours and seminars for chocolate enthusiasts. At the gala, taste the creations of Big Island chefs, ice cream and candy makers, sample more than 25,000 different kinds of sweets and chocolates, drink champagne, wine, beer or 100 percent Kona coffee and dance under the stars to live music. At the end of the night, make sure to vote for your favorite dessert or appetizer. Proceeds benefit Kona Public Waldorf School. Gala tickets cost $40. For more information visit www.konachocolatefestival.com.

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April 4-5 Seattle, WA—Taste Washington Seattle

This eleventh annual wine and food pairing is back for a two-day event. The first day of festivities will be held at Bell Harbor International Conference Center and will include: wine education seminars, a keynote luncheon, a tasting with the Masters course led by Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, as well as the Twenty-Something event, designed for Seattle’s younger set. Day two at Qwest Field Event Center features the grand tasting, chef demonstrations and a chance to indulge in the coffee and dessert bar. VIP entry costs $125, general admission costs $85. For further details visit www.tastewashington.org.

April 5 Las Vegas, NV—34th Annual UNLVino

Drink to education at the granddaddy of all wine events. "Take A Sip For Scholarship," the UNLVino extravaganza founded and sponsored by Larry Ruvo and Southern Wine and Spirits to benefit UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration scholarship fund. Last year's Grand Tasting featured more than 850 wines from over 390 wineries throughout the world. The Grand Tasting is held at Paris Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.unlvino.com or call 702-876-4500.

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April 14-19 Scottsdale, AZ—31st Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival

Foodies and culinary connoisseurs flock to sunny Scottsdale year after year to attend this long-running Southwestern festival celebrating the art of good food and wine. Now in its 31st year, the festival kicks off with the Friends of James Beard Dinner, featuring winners of the prestigious award who will demonstrate their talents in a collaborative multi-course dinner hosted by The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. The diverse roster of events also includes the glamorous Culinary Hall of Fame dinner at Wrigley Mansion, "On the Rocks" cocktail events showcasing the latest in mixed drinks, Bubbles and Bliss—a chic tasting event featuring bubbly and Asian cuisine from Sushi Roku—at the W Scottsdale, and the Wine Country Brunch at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. Bringing the festivities to a delicious end is Best of the Fest, a five-course wine-paired dinner created tableside by one of Arizona's top 11 chefs, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa. For individual event prices and tickets, visit www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org, or call 480-945-7193.

April 16-19 Pebble Beach, CA —Second Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine

This four-day gastronomical event will bring together distinguished wineries and chefs from around the world to the coastline of California for a variety of luncheons, dinners, cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Experience delectable meals and exclusive cooking demonstrations from chefs such as Thomas Keller (The French Laundry), Josiah Citrin (Mélisse), and Michelle Bernstein (Michy’s). The event includes 60 celebrity chefs and 250 wineries in a selection of luxurious venues throughout scenic Pebble Beach. Highlights of the event include the Lexus Opening Night Reception at The Inn at Spanish Bay, featuring delicacies from 20 of the weekend's top chefs and over 200 wines, and "Cristal – the First Prestige Cuvee," an unprecedented tasting by Champagne Louis Roederer of eight vintages of brut and brut rosé. Tickets for individual events start at $100, and packages are available from $995 per person. For more information visit www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com.

April 16-19 Austin, TX—Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival

Be part of a Texas legend. The Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival is embarking on its 23rd year as the oldest and largest wine and food festival in the state. The five-day celebration of food and wine takes place throughout Austin and the scenic Hill Country. Events range from black-tie to down-home—but all with a true Texas attitude. Highlights include a grand tasting, winery luncheons, downtown wine bar crawl, cooking classes and wine seminars. Visit www.texaswineandfood.org, call 512-249-6300 or email info@texaswineandfood.org for more details.

April 19 - May 2 Singapore—World Gourmet Summit

The Singapore Tourism Board and Peter Knipp Holdings will host the seventh annual World Gourmet Summit, which will showcase the best of Singapore’s culinary scene along with some of the world’s finest chefs. Guests can sample these stars' creations on “Gourmet Safari” tours of the city’s unexpected places to dine. Other events will include an awards luncheon, Gourmet BBQ, wine tastings, Bordeaux wine tasting and culinary workshops. Lasting for over two weeks, summit activities will take place at various venues and restaurants throughout town. For more information, visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com.

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April 20 Carmel, CA—Château Julien Vintage Affair

The barrel room doors at Château Julien will swing open for a full day of specialty wine tasting with library wines, vertical tastings, Estate Vineyard vintage displays, barrel samplings, three-liter bottles and much more. Select vintages and limited editions will be available for tasting and purchase this one day of the year. Come enjoy the winery's sixteen acres, the Carmel Valley mountains and lush green valleys. Tickets cost $25 per person or $15 per member and the event lasts from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Château Julien Wine Estate, 8940 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93923, 831-624-2600. For more information, visit www.chateaujulien.com.

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April 23-26 Sarasota, FL—Florida Winefest & Auction

The nineteenth annual event includes numerous activities such as: a winemakers dinner in private homes in Sarasota and Manatee county; a food and wine tasting at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota; wine seminars throughout the city; a gala dinner and dance and “Sip & Shop,” a leisurely afternoon al fresco wine tasting. This event has donated $6.1 million throughout the years, with proceeds benefiting various children’s charities. Visit www.floridawinefest.com or call 800-216-6199.

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April 24-26 St. Michael's, MD—St. Michael’s Wine and Food Festival

Experience some of the most succulent seafood in the country at this seventh annual festival, featuring an impressive lineup of chefs and wine & spirits educators. The event includes wine tastings, demonstrations, book signings and an auction during the three-day fest. Visit www.stmichaelsfoodandwinefestival.com for ticket and event details.

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(Updated: 03/24/09 ET)