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SEPTEMBER 2009
Seasonal
Tip:
Grape harvesting begins
this month, which means tastings and celebrations in
California's wine-growing areas. |
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September 3-7
Morgan City, LA—74th Annual Louisiana Shrimp
and Petroleum Festival
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, CA—Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
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, CA—39th Annual Millbrae
Art & Wine Festival
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, CA—13th Annual 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, KY—2009
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, TX—23rd
Annual GrapeFest
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, CA—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, HI—Taste 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
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, GERMANY—Oktoberfest
"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, NM—Santa
Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
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, CO—Great American Beer Festival
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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, CA—Harvest
Wine Seminar
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
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, WA—Harvest
Festival and "Catch the Crush"
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.
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