It’s Almost Time for the 2015 Nantucket Wine Festival

Fantastic food, world-class wines, plenty of fun and educational opportunities, and a beautiful island setting come together at the 18th annual Nantucket Wine Festival. More than 50 events take place over the course of five days, from Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 17, 2015.

The festival features chefs from renowned local restaurants, as well as visiting chefs from well-known establishments all across the U.S. Then, of course, there’s the wine—and lots of it. Representatives will be present from more than 150 global wineries, contributing to the carefully curated collection of wines from every major wine-producing region in the world.

Festival Event Highlights

From drinking on the beach to expert-led seminars to tastings and much more, there are countless things to swirl, sniff, sip, eat, learn and do at the Nantucket Wine Festival. Here are just a few highlights:

• Wednesday’s Welcome Reception kicks things off from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, welcoming the many chefs and winemakers participating in this year’s festival
• Thursday’s “Pink Up! Rosé and Grilling on the Beach” (noon to 2:00 pm) lets you enjoy grilled dishes prepared by chefs Tiffani Faison and Bernard Guillas with a selection of rosé pairings
• Thursday’s Harbor Gala, a Nantucket Wine Festival signature event, offers 40 pairings of fine wines and chef-created dishes, taking place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm
• Eat a delectable breakfast and watch guest chefs prepare their favorite breakfast dishes at Friday’s Breakfast on the Harbor, from 8:30 to 11:30 am
• The festival’s main attraction, The Grand Tastings, takes place throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday; sample over 600 wines from more than 150 wineries around the world
• If you’re up for a $500-per-ticket wine dinner featuring hundreds of bottles of wine, don’t miss La Fête on Saturday night from 7:00 to 11:00 pm
• Great Wines in Grand Houses is a series of wine tastings and wine dinners, offering some of the festival’s premier experiences; see the full series schedule at nantucketwinefestival.com/events/great-wines-grand-houses
• The festival hosts many informative seminars; see the full seminar schedule at nantucketwinefestival.com/events/seminars

Restaurant Events

Many of Nantucket’s leading restaurants host their own special events during these five days. These aren’t associated with the Nantucket Wine Festival, but certainly share in its spirit and provide some prime dining and drinking opportunities for fans of fine food and wine. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, experience some of the best of what the island’s culinary scene has to offer. Take a look at what’s going on at some area restaurants at nantucketwinefestival.com/beyond-the-festival/restaurant-events.