Top Wine and Food Festivals

Related Cities & Topics:

View Full Size

Sample cuisine at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort

View Full Size

Dig in to all things culinary at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Dishing up paella at the SOBE Opening Night After Party at Raleigh Hotel

Photo Credit: Barb Freda

View Full Size

Chef Rick Tramonto of Tru in Chicago shaves gelled vinaigrette for his Best of the Best dish at SOBE Wine and Food Festival.

Photo Credit: Barb Freda

The ABCs of Florida usually includes alligators, beaches and citrus. This progressive peninsula is also making its mark as one of the best places to experience the expertise of world-class vintners and internationally known gourmet chefs. These days, the journey to the perfect pour and pairing begins and ends in Florida.

Naples Winter Wine Festival, Jan. 27-29, 2012

The Sunshine State gets right into the new year with one of the country’s most exclusive wine and food festivals. For a decade, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has set the stage and the standard for the nation’s most committed wine collectors and gourmands.

The philanthropic festival’s 12th anniversary celebration promises to be a grand display of the very best the wine world has to offer. Proceeds benefit the Naples Children and Education Foundation, with $94.5 million raised to date. The event’s $8,500 per couple price tag includes an elite three-day experience tailored to the refined tastes of a targeted audience of connoisseurs.

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Feb. 23-26, 2012

Winter really sizzles on South Beach (SOBE) with the Food Network’s South Beach Food and Wine Festival. In true SOBE style, a prominent promenade of the industry’s most innovative offerings takes center stage at this celebrity-studded extravaganza. For one long weekend, fan favorites like Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse visit Miami to join wine worshippers and foodies from around the world, sharing expertise and celebrating culinary craftsmanship.

Wine experts and vintners – such as senior editor of Wine Spectator Bruce Sanderson, and winemaker of the celebrated Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Jeff McBride – round out the impressive roster of celebrity names.

Access and experience distinguish this festival as among the state’s best. Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the titans of the burgeoning celebrity chef phenomenon. Tickets to the wide range of events that take place over four days of festivities range from $20 for a family-fun event to $1,000 exclusive black-tie ballroom affairs.

And you’ll find plenty of opportunities and price points between the two. South Florida’s most sophisticated beach transforms for this posh party that’s sure to sate the palate of everyone lucky enough to make it.

The Florida Wine Festival, March 16-17, 2012

It’s the neverending glass of wine that has helped the Florida Wine Festival (held each spring in Tallahassee) make its mark on the world vintner partners and partiers. At this inclusive event, pourers pride themselves on keeping every guest’s glass full all evening long.

But, it is the commitment to community that makes it one of Florida’s best wine events. A benefit to support the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, this festival is a community-focused soiree that spans a weekend in Tallahassee’s Downtown Kleman Plaza.

Opening night is a $50-ticket event that includes fine wine, food and an auction. The next night is traditionally a free gathering that features food from area restaurants, lectures and activities for the whole family.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, September - November 2011

In keeping with the tradition of Disney, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival features tons of exciting options at this annual fall celebration for wine lovers at every level of expertise. Ideal for travelers looking for the fun of a wine and food festival as much as the tasting, EPCOT’s gathering is six weeks of whimsical wine-themed adventure. The festival is set in the future-focused theme park for which it is named, and it includes the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, during which headline performers take to the stage each night.

A note to serious connoisseurs: Don’t underestimate the experience because you think you’ve seen it all from Florida’s most famous mouse. From the Marketplace and Promenade, where 25 kiosks serve up regional specialties, to master’s level seminars, where featured principals provide exclusive insights, you’ll be impressed by and appreciative of the offerings.

Admission is included in the price of a regular ticket to EPCOT, and it’s fine to bring the whole family. The fantasy produced daily in the park continues during the festival. It, of course, ends with Mickey’s signature fireworks on special nights.

Florida Microbreweries

Throughout the state, brewmasters make their marks with specialty signature beers. Here’s to some of Florida’s hottest hops.

A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine

Get ready for a frothy, cold one that’s full of as much history as the sweet town of this microbrewery.

Dunedin Brewery

Pouring up smooth pale ale since ’96, this microbrewery is best known for its charming character and cast of locals.

Orlando Brewing

Florida’s only certified organic brewery makes it clear why green is the new amber when it comes to microbrews.

Southernmost Brewery at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar and Grill, Key West

The beer here is as authentic as the environment in which it’s served. Have a refreshing Havana Red Ale, distinguished by its taste and 14-day brewing process.