It’s late July, and if you’re anywhere close to where we are in the country, it’s really hot. Thoughts turn to beaches, and cold drinks, and warm evenings. This is also the time of year when our thoughts turn to late September, when the weather gets a bit cooler, and the ocean breezes in Newport, RI come off the water and keep temperatures comfortable. We are, of course, thinking about this year’s Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, happening at various spectacular venues in Newport, RI September 19-22. Once again the Festival 
Presenting Sponsor will be FOOD & WINE Magazine. There will be wine, there will be food, there will be good times and opportunities to indulge 
in any way you choose. This is, in our opinion, the pre-eminent wine and food event in New England. For some of our impressions of last year’s event just click here.
Starting the festivities off on Thursday, Sept 19, will be the Burgundy Grand Cru dinner, hosted at The Elms for a select few in the elegant ballroom. Here, the wine will all be Grand Cru Burgundy, accompanying the elegant dinner with flair. This is pricey, so not everyone will seriously consider it, but for a high end experience this is hard to beat.
Things continue on Friday, with a variety of seminars held in the fully restored Breakers Carriage House and Stables. The building itself is a wonderful showcase of restoration, and worth a visit. To make it even better, they set tables and serve up educational wine and food seminars showcasing viniculture and culinary delights from around the world. This year you can try various oysters, feast on caviar and Champagne, explore the wines of Italy or take a critical look at Napa Valley versus Sonoma. Take your pick. These are fun, interesting and general delicious. In past years the seminars have provided some of our most enduring memories of the festival.
Your Friday is not quite done yet, however, as the elegant Wine & Rosecliff Gala follows on Friday evening. Here, wine and food lovers dress up and enjoy the offerings of some of the best wines the world has to offer, accompanied by food from some of the best restaurants in the Northeast. The setting, at the timeless Rosecliff Mansion, creates a lively yet classic venue for an evening of wine, food, and song as well as there is a live band and dancing is most assuredly going to break out. This is fun, and the wines here tend to be higher end, most of which you will not see at the Grand Tastings. The initial list of wineries and restaurants is out for the Rosecliff event, and includes names such as Chappellet, Chateau Musar, Opus One, and Marchesi di Barolo, among others. The restaurants hail from the local area and as far away as Chicago.
The Grand Tastings are the central core of the festival, bringing in hundreds of wines from all over the globe. Every 
year, without exception, we discover new grapes and producers who blow us away with the quality of their wine. This is balanced by one of the best food offerings you will ever find at a large festival, with a wide variety of food options. In past years, you could get oysters on the half shell, elegant seared duck, head out to the barbecue pits, or nosh on some salumi. The food changes year to year, but it is always top notch and plentiful. Having enough food available while you are pouring wine for 3-4 hours is a very important part of a successful Wine & Food event. Participating wineries for the Grand Tastings include Banfi, Chappellet, Duckhorn, Dry Creek and Sequoia Grove, along with many, many others. The restaurant list is more varied and deeper than at Rosecliff, and there will be plenty of food.
You can add in some other activities during the weekend if so inclined. There is a Vintner’s Dinner at Rosecliff on Saturday Night. On 
Sunday morning, you could start your day with the Jazz Brunch, held at Marble House right at the Grand Tasting venue. After brunch you stroll right into the Grand Tasting. Lastly, Newport After Dark keeps the fun going into the night at 41 North, located seaside.
There is so much to do. The Monogram Culinary Stage will be hopping both Saturday and Sunday with guest chef demonstrations. If you want to take a break from the wine for a short time, step out back and grab a cold beer. There will be a few spirits spread throughout the choices as well, for those so inclined. You can get just about anything you might want.
We’re getting ready, have our plans set, the inn booked, and hope to see you there at this year’s event. September is always one of our favorite months, and this is a big reason why. See you there!
You can learn much more about this year’s festival, and buy tickets, on the Newport Mansions website: https://www.newportmansions.org/events/wine-and-food-festival
A votre santé!
Food with wine enhances the enjoyment. I love this kind of parties where friends and family members and friends get together. There is a big benefit of a party every person told us about our favorite wine brand. Through this way, we tasting the new kind of wine.
is anyone selling their Saturday tickets to the Grand Tasting? I need 4 tickets as online they are sold out.