SEPTEMBER 2009

Seasonal Tip:
Grape harvesting begins this month, which means tastings and celebrations in California's wine-growing areas.

September 3-7
Morgan City, LA74th Annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City
Now in its 74th year, the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival honors the workers who keep the region’s two lifeblood industries going strong—even through hurricanes. What better way to celebrate than to eat the fruits of their shrimping labor? The Cajun Culinary Classic features home-style Cajun cooking with jambalaya, fried alligator and—of course—shrimp. The day will feature music of different genres and include other highlights such as a regional crafts show and a "Children's Village" for kids. Admission to the event, held in the Morgan City Downtown Historic District, is free. For more information, call 985-385-0703 or visit www.shrimp-petrofest.org.
September 4-6
Sonoma County, CASonoma Wine Country Weekend
Sonoma County Showcase of Wine & Food, Sonoma County, California
Previously known as the Sonoma County Showcase Weekend of Wine & Food, this gala event features three days of fantastic wine and food presented by world-renowned winemakers and Sonoma’s top chefs. Taste of Sonoma County at MacMurray Ranch and Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Cline Cellars are the highlights of the Labor Day weekend event. Indulge in exclusive all-access luxury packages or enjoy events a la carte, including private winery lunches and dinners, and a Sonoma Family Style gala dinner. For more information visit www.sonomawine.com or call 800-939-7666.
September 5-6
Millbrae, CA39th Annual Millbrae Art & Wine Festival

The Millbrae Art & Wine Festival in California
Every year, the last official weekend of summer brings massive crowds to Millbrae for one of the Bay Area's biggest Labor Day weekend events, transforming Broadway Avenue into a moveable feast of people and colorful tents. Festivalgoers enjoy a vibrant street scene with two days of food, wine, family entertainment, music, arts and crafts. Held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. For more information, call 650-697-7324 or visit www.miramarevents.com.

September 12
Santa Rosa, CA13th Annual Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato
Festival
Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival
More than 170 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in every size, shape and color imaginable will be featured, picked fresh from Kendall-Jackson Winery’s own culinary gardens at the 13th Annual Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival. Attendees will experience selections from gourmet food purveyors, different versions of tomato bruschetta at “Bruschetta Boulevard,” wine education seminars, a tomato growing contest, tomato-inspired art show garden tours and live entertainment–all paired with Kendall-Jackson wines. Tickets cost $65 per person in advance through June and $75 beginning July 1. Discounted tickets are available for wine club members. For more information call 800-769-3649 or visit www.kj.com.

September 15-20
Bardstown, KY2009 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
2008 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Celebrate a classic American spirit at the 2009 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. Guests enjoy five days of black-tie galas, historical tours, great food and entertainment. For more information, call 800-638-4887, ext. 4 or visit www.kybourbonfestival.com.




September 17-20
Grapevine, TX23rd Annual GrapeFest
22nd Annual GrapeFest in Texas

This four-day festival invites guests to tour the wineries of Grapevine, an area named for the abundance of its namesake. This festive city will introduce you to award-winning wines of the region. Enjoy a rousing good time among Texans eager to show you the fruits of their city. Highlights include the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic; GrapeStomp; Vintner's Auction; Texas Wine Tribute; non-stop entertainment on four stages as well as a Kid Zone and a Tennis Classic. Visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com or call 817-410-3185 for more information.

September 18-20
Los Angeles, CAPort of Los Angeles Lobster Festival
Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival
Lobster is king at the annual Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival, one of Southern California's great food events. The feast is held at Ports O' Call Village on San Pedro Harbor's picturesque waterfront overlooking colorful commercial fishing boats and giant ocean-going ships. The festival features a seafood fiesta of Maine lobster, calamari, shrimp fajitas, crab and fish cakes and other non-ocean-related food items. For more information, call the lobster hotline at 310-798-7478 or visit www.lobsterfest.com.

September 19-20
Maui, HITaste of Lahaina
Maui's largest culinary festival will showcase new and popular restaurants in Maui County and offering samples of signature dishes. Features include a beer and wine garden, kids' fun area, restaurant tents and continuous live entertainment on stage with Hawaii's current and legendary musicians. The event benefits Maui youth groups. Kids 12 and under are free. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Lahaina Recreation Park II behind the soccer field. For more information visit www.visitlahaina.com.

September 19-20
Westminster, MD
Maryland Wine Festival
Maryland Wine Festival
Enjoy Maryland’s ambience and offerings at this event featuring tastings from wineries in attendance, live music, foods from local restaurants, arts and crafts, wine education seminars and a silent auction. Admission for adults is $20 and includes a souvenir wine glass, samples of Maryland wines and tours of the museum's 19th-Century farmhouse. The festival will take place Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m. at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, Carroll County. For more information, call 800-654-4645 or visit www.marylandwine.com.

September 19-October 4
Munich, GERMANYOktoberfest
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
"It's tapped!" roars the Lord Mayor of Munich when opening the first keg of Oktoberfest beer—the first of six million! This ritual inaugurates the world's largest beer fest along with a parade of bar owners and brewers on horse-drawn carriages. Europe's most visited city, Munich, is the home to this annual seventeen-day beer and sausage blowout. Each beer tent boasts its own entertainment, and parades, carnivals and food stalls provide endless fun. Certain events are a must for Oktoberfest visitors; for example, the parade of tent proprietors, the Trachten und Schützenzug (folklore parade) and the Böllerschießen (gun salute). Visit www.oktoberfest.de for all the details. See our list of the Top 2008 U.S. Oktoberfest Celebrations for more locations of this fabulous festival.
September 23-27
Santa Fe, NMSanta Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
A glass of wine being poured at the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta in New Mexico

This year marks the 19th anniversary of this spicy event! Activities include guest chef luncheons, wine seminars, winemaker dinners and the Grand Food and Wine Tasting. Participating wineries include Benziger Family Winery, Moet & Chandon, Kendall-Jackson and Wild Horse Winery. Culinary treats will be provided by notable
Santa Fe restaurants including La Casa Sena, Anasazi Restaurant and El Farol. Call 505-438-8060 or visit www.santafewineandchile.org.


September 24-26
Denver, COGreat American Beer Festival
Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado

The 28th edition of the Great American Beer Festival returns to Denver. Last year, more than 1,800 beers (in one-ounce tasting portions) from more than 400 American breweries were served to the event's 46,000 attendees. The list of beers is the largest array of U.S. beers ever gathered together in one setting. The beers served at the festival are evaluated by over 100 premier beer judges and evaluated in 75 different beer-style categories. This year, the 2008 medal winners will be announced during the Saturday afternoon session on September 26. This annual reunion is a chance for the nation's craft brewers to share advice and knowledge, network with distributors and retailers, and connect with beer enthusiasts. Tickets are available through the Brewers Association at www.beertown.org, through the festival web site and Ticketmaster. Prices are $55 in advance for an evening session (Thursday, Friday or Saturday). A Saturday Afternoon Members Only session ticket is $83 and includes a membership to the American Homebrewers Association, and can only be purchased through the Brewers Association and Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
September 25
Carmel Valley, CAHarvest Wine Seminar
Chardonnay grapes at Chateau Julien in Carmel, California
Chateau Julien winemakers Bill Anderson and Marta Kraftzeck will share the passion and excitement of harvest at Chateau Julien Wine Estate's annual Harvest Wine Seminar. Guests are invited to observe, learn and participate in the first stages of winemaking, after grapes are harvested straight from the winery's vineyard. Enjoy limited release Chateau Julien wines and hors d'oeuvres while the winemakers crush, de-stem and ultimately transfer the grapes into the cellar to begin fermentation. Following the crush, dinner will be served "family style" in the winery's cellar amongst the French oak barrels and fermenting tanks. The Grape Crush takes place at 7 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m. The cost is $115 and early reservations are suggested, as seating is limited. For reservations or for more information call 831-624-2600 or visit www.chateaujulien.com

September 25-November 8
Lake Buena Vista, FL—Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
It’s a small world at the fourteenth annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. A six-week extravaganza of wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and cultural experiences and live concerts like the "Eat to the Beat" series will entertain guests throughout the festival. Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is included with regular Epcot admission. To make reservations for any of the ticketed events, call 407-WDW-FEST. For details go to www.disneyworld.com.

September 26-27
Tri-Cities, WAHarvest Festival and "Catch the Crush"
Catch the Crush wine festival in Columbia Valley, Washington
Join the Columbia Valley wineries in celebrating the harvest and crush in the heart of Washington's wine country. Member wineries will open their doors for world-class wine tasting. Activities include grape stomping, observing the harvest activities, tasting hors d'oeuvres and relaxing to live music while enjoying the last of the Indian summer in the Columbia Valley vineyards. Be sure to snap up Columbia Valley wines on special this weekend. Wineries will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring your own wine glass or purchase a logo glass. For more information, visit www.columbiavalleywine.com, or call 866-360-6611.



(Updated: 06/24/09 ET)


Wine Events

There's always more to learn about wine. Take part in a class, a wine and cheese pairing or a fancy prix-fixe meal at these events across the country.

Culinary Events

Eat, drink and celebrate at these festivals, special dinners, happy hours, cooking classes and more from Los Angeles to New York to London.