Over 100 wines and a multitude of activities will entertain thousands of visitors at the Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival coming to Blowing Rock, April 10-13, 2008. Now in it’s 3rd year, this popular festival features wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, an Iron Chef style championship cook-off, one of a kind winemaker dinners and much more.
Thursday, April 10th is kick-off day and activities get under way beginning at
4 pm with a Commercial and Amateur Wine Competition. Awards include Best of Show, Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The judges have a proven proficiency in judging wine and include trade professionals, professional writers, well known wine educators and experts from the European wine community. This event is free and takes place at Highlands Restaurant in Blowing Rock.
The official festival “kick off” event begins on Thursday evening at 6:00 pm with the “Uncork the Festival” Reception at Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant. Hosted by Davis imports, the evening will focus on outstanding Argentinean wines and hors d’oeuvres. The price is $35.00 per person and tickets are available at the Blowing Rock Visitor’s Center or online at the festival’s website. Guests will be entertained by the band “Dark Side of the Boone.”
The much talked about Vintners’ Dinners begin on Thursday evening at Dominic’s Table at the Inn at Crestwood and the Library at The Green Park Inn. Reservations may be made by calling the restaurants direct. Complete menus are available at the festival’s website. Closing out Thursday evening is the Wine to Water Fundraiser at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock which includes a silent auction, a DJ, an open bar and a selection of excellent wines. Admission is $5.00 per person and proceeds go to Wine to Water. To learn more about Wine to Water, visit their website at www.winetowater.org.
Friday, April 11 is the ideal day to learn about wine and cooking with wine. Start off with Chef James Live! This “Cooking with Wine” hands on demonstration is being presented at 11:00 am and again at 1:30 pm. Award winning Chef James from Crippen’s will prepare three recipes in an interactive class. Winesellers Ltd is providing the wine and everyone gets to take home the recipes. Friday afternoon brings several different seminars including “Sparkling Wines of the World” hosted by Dr. Grant Holder of the ASU Oenology Program and The Basics of Food and Wine Pairing hosted by representatives of Johnson and Wales. Additional seminars include California Basics presented by Bruce Cunningham of X Winery in Napa Valley, CA, Wines of Argentina presented by German Bistue and Vintage Delights presented by Doug May, Wine Appreciation Instructor at ASU. Due to high demand, several seminars are being presented more than once but it is important that tickets are secured as soon as possible if you are interested in attending. More information about the seminars is available at the festival website.
Friday evening features a variety of activities including a Blowing Rock Gallery Stroll from 5 to 8 pm, A “Wine, Dine and Dance” reception at The Meadowbrook Inn and another round of Vintners’ Dinners at Blowing Rock’s fine restaurants. Friday evening Vintners’ Dinners are at The Gamekeeper Restaurant, Crippen’s Country Inn, Bistro Roca Restaurant, The Library at the Green Park Inn and The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort. All dinners begin at 7:00 pm. Menus for winemaker dinners are available at the festival website under Vintners’ Dinners. Friday night also brings the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes to the Hayes Performing Arts Center. The program, Simple Gifts, portrays original vignettes through a combination of virtuoso manipulation, beautiful music and theatrical illusion. Tickets range from $14 to $20 and are available at the Hayes Performing Arts Center (online or at the ticket booth).
Saturday, April 12th is going to be an exciting day. Head over the Hayes Performing Arts Center for the hugely popular “Fire on the Rock” Chef’s Competition. Heats begin at 10:00 am and go through 4 pm that afternoon. The whole process starts again the next day until a grand champion is chosen. Tickets for the Fire on the Rock contest are sold online or at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. Each ticket is good for the day you wish to go. Tickets are $10.00 per person. While you’re at the Hayes Center for Fire on the Rock, don’t miss the High Country Writer’s Book Fair with many local authors who will be autographing their books. The fair runs from Noon to 5 pm.
Saturday from Noon to 4 pm, the Main Wine Tasting begins in the Main Event Tent at Chetola Resort. Called the Grand Tasting for a very good reason, this year’s tasting will be featuring over 100 regional domestic and international wines. Wine selections will be presented by a variety of wine distributors in addition to some well known North Carolina Wineries such as Shelton, Biltmore, Childress and Banner Elk Winery. Live entertainment will be provided. Shuttles will transfer visitors from the Main tasting to Fire on the Rock to downtown Blowing Rock. The shuttles will also provide transportation from Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway (parking for the tasting) to Chetola Resort. Bob Timberlake will be on hand to greet visitors and show off his 1930 Ford Model A. Roadster. Food and live entertainment will be available. Admission to the tasting is $25 in advance, $35 at the door and tickets may be purchased online, at the Blowing Rock Visitor’s Center or at the door.
More celebrations are in store for Saturday night. The V.I.P. International Wine Gala takes place at a magnificent private home in Blowing Rock. Enjoy fine wines from around the world along with delicious hors d’oeuvres and magnificent views. The Wine Gala is being sponsored by Empire Distributors. Tickets are $75.00 per person. Beginning at 7:30 pm., The Todd Wright Quartet presents “Wine, Women and Sinatra” at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12.00 at the door and may be purchased at the Hayes Performing Arts Center, online or at the door.
Sunday, April 13 is the final day of the Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival with events continuing throughout the day. Wake up to a Champagne Brunch being featured by several area restaurants including Canyons, The Blowing Rock Grille and Ciao Bello at The Meadowbrook Inn. The Meadowbrook will also be featuring a Couples Fashion Show from J.W. Tweeds. At noon, the “Fire on the Rock” Chef’s Challenge continues at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. The final cook offs and Best Chef award takes place on Sunday afternoon. Don’t miss the exciting finale which ends at 4:00 pm. The High Country Writers Book Fair also continues at the Hayes Center through 5 pm.
The Blue Ridge Food and Wine Festival website has detailed information about times, tickets and events. Visit www.blueridgewinefestival.com or call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.