If you’re wondering what those big white tents in Marion Square are for, then get ready for some great news. The annual Charleston Wine and Food Festival begins March 4 and promises four days of intense culinary competition, education, tradition and satisfaction.
Kicking off the festival is the Charleston’s Top Sommelier Competition at 11 a.m., held at the Charleston Grill. The competition calls for local sommeliers to analyze an array of wine during the blind tasting.
Thursday’s events also include the Perfect Pairing Winemaker Luncheons from noon – 2 p.m., BB&T Sponsor Recognition and Special VIP Party from 5 – 7 p.m., and ending the evening is the Ben Arnold Beverage Companies Opening Night Party from 7 – 10 p.m., which will be held in those big white tents.
Friday begins with a welcoming Fifth Anniversary Opening Ceremony with a Wadmalaw Farm-to-Table Excursion immediately following. Much like the kitchens of Charleston, the Wine and Food Festival is focusing on the importance and emergence of using locally sourced foods.
Some other Friday events that are more focused on the wine aspect of the festival include Wine Around the Garden from noon – 3 p.m. and Across the Andes Wine Tasting from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
But for those who have a better taste for beer, Rue de Jean is hosting the Anheuser-Busch’s Brewmasters Beer School from noon – 1:30 p.m. If making choices is not your thing, try the Restaurant Dine-Around at 6:30 p.m., which brings attendees to various restaurants around town.
Saturday’s festivities start at High Cotton with the Festival Unwrapped! but this event is invitation-only, so for the rest of us the day begins at the tents in Marion Square with the Saturday AM Culinary Village + Fed Ex Grand Tasting Tent, which will run from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Some other interesting events going on Saturday include the Red, White and Lowcountry SpiritLine Cruise, which begins boarding at 12:20 p.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m., the Wine and Chocolate Pairing from 2 – 3 p.m., Shake It Up! (a cocktail seminar) from 2 – 3:30p.m., and the Winemaker Receptions by Land and Sea from 4 – 6 p.m., which bring guests into downtown’s historic homes and privately-owned yachts. Saturday night’s dinners include the Craft Beer Dinner and Pitmaster Bourbon-Quintilian Dinner, both beginning at 7 p.m.
The final day of the festival kicks off with the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch at 11 a.m., so make sure to not drink too much wine the night before. These singers are lively and loud!
Sunday also offers another chance to check out the Marion Square tents with the second Culinary Village + FedEx Grand Tasting Tents. The festival’s closing event, BBQ, Blue and Brew, is from 5 – 8 p.m., and is at the tents as well. Attendees can expect to eat a variety of barbecue flavors and listen to musical performances by The Blue Dogs.
Charleston Wine + Food is a nonprofit organization aimed at educating locals about the culinary world and supporting charities. This year’s festival will benefit Louie’s Kids and Slow Food Charleston.