7 Underrated Food & Wine Festivals (In 7 Unexpected Places)
For the true foodie, a food and wine festival promises a delight of your senses with a variety of flavors, aromas and, of course, culinary chops. But, if you’ve battled the crowds at festival favorites like Aspen Food & Wine or South Beach, you know the dream of a relaxed dining experience can quickly devolve into a frenzied search for a snack or sample.
But what if a different kind of culinary journey is out there? A place where you can indulge in exceptional food and wine experiences without fighting a massive crowd. Across the country, there are plenty of hidden gems that are redefining the food festival landscape. Settle in and savor these seven unique festivals and savor all of their food and wine flavors.
In This Article
1. 30A Wine Festival
Alys Beach, Florida
The 30A Wine Festival is a local favorite set against the beautiful backdrop of Alys Beach, where white stucco homes back up to the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 30A Wine Festival, which supports the Children’s Volunteer Health Network, draws renowned winemakers and Southern culinary favorites.
Attendees can savor a carefully curated selection of wines from vineyards across the country, perfectly paired with the culinary creations of highly celebrated chefs. 30A Wine is more than just a tasting event, providing a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere where guests can participate in several events and workshops. A fan favorite is Sunday’s “Rose & Croquet” event, featuring rose tastings, brunch offerings and the beloved (and highly competitive!) croquet tournament.
2. BB&T Fall for Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
Bank of America’s Fall for Greenville calls itself the Southeast’s most popular outdoor festival — and with good reason. Every fall, downtown Greenville transforms into a foodie’s paradise, and this family-friendly three-day festival is a buffet of bites and endless activities. The festival is known for its diverse tastes, tunes, and taps, featuring more than 60 restaurants, seven stages and 50 different beer taps and vendors.
Visitors can enjoy low-country favorites like shrimp and grits or fresh takes on classics and sample sips from around the world, all while listening to the sounds of more than 80 bands. Kickback at the GSP International Airport Wine Garden or Spinx Beer Garden, each of which features more than 50 local, regional and national wines and craft beers to choose from. In addition to cooking demonstrations, tasting areas and entertainment, Fall for Greenville has a dedicated kids’ area, so even the littlest guests can expand their culinary chops.
3. Colorado Mountain Winefest
Palisade, Colorado
Colorado might be at the top of your mind for excellent wine, but a few dedicated vintners are working to change that. Since 1992, the Colorado Mountain Winefest has transformed Palisade, CO, into a wine enthusiast’s paradise. Winefest is the largest fundraiser for the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), bringing together dozens of vineyards from around the Centennial State to pour hundreds of different wines from the state’s varied viticultural areas.
Located in the stunning Grand Valley among the rugged Rockies, attendees are invited to immerse themselves in the Colorado Mountain Winefest fully. Festivalgoers can embark on tours of local wineries, sample some of the state’s best vintages and indulge in carefully curated food and wine pairings. A festival highlight? Guests are invited to participate in a traditional grape stomp. Just watch out for the altitude as you imbibe — it’s easy to overdo it.
4. GrapeFest
Grapevine, Texas
You’ve probably heard through the grapevine that GrapeFest — in the aptly named Grapevine, TX — is a can’t-miss festival for wine lovers. Historic Main Street shuts down for four days every fall to host the largest wine festival in the Southwest. GrapeFest draws wine enthusiasts and aficionados from across the country to sample hundreds of different wines from around the world but takes special pride in Texas-grown vintner varieties.
Beyond the wine offerings, GrapeFest goers can participate in the tradition of amateur grape stomping, dine on local and international delicacies and explore an artisan market of handcrafted goods. Texas is an unexpected wine region, and spots like Fredericksburg and Grapevine continue to make it a foodie destination. GrapeFest aims to highlight the growth of Texas wine production and cement the Lone Star state as a top wine region in the United States.
5. Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Blending the world of wine with the distinct flavors of New Mexico’s chile, Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta’s history has aged like a fine…well, wine. What started as a festival of 20 restaurants and wineries in a parking lot in the 90s has grown into an annual five-day celebration of Santa Fe’s finest offerings from more than 60 restaurants and 90 winery partners.
Set against the backdrop of the historic (and artistic!) city of Santa Fe, the festival draws people in droves to test local culinary talents, try delicious winery dinners and other educational opportunities. Festivalgoers can create their own itinerary or tasting timetable, from grand tastings to intimate demonstrations to expert-led wine seminars.
6. Two Up Wine Down
Charlottesville, Virginia
Taste your way through the Two Up Wine Down festival, a relatively new offering in Charlottesville. Hosted by the Veraison Project and Oenovers, two local organizations that focus on supporting diversity and inclusivity within Virginia’s wine industry, the food and wine festival brings together winemakers and wine enthusiasts across the region.
Two Up Wine Down allows festivalgoers to sample an extensive selection of Virginia wines and celebrate the region’s burgeoning industry, all set in the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling Virginia vineyards. Outside of the tastings, the festival creates an energetic atmosphere with live music performances, plenty of local food vendors and an artisan market.
7. Wellfleet OysterFest
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Aw, shucks! The Wellfleet OysterFest is a culinary masterpiece celebrating Wellfleet’s world-famous oysters and clams. Every fall, this Massachusetts town transforms into a two-day festival where its deep-rooted shellfish harvesting traditions are on full display. Whether you enjoy slurping them raw from a shell or the comforts of chowders, festivalgoers can meander down Main Street to sample the local food, sip at beer and wine gardens and enjoy live music and arts and crafts.
Organized by the Wellfleet Oyster Alliance, OysterFest is also home to the annual Wellfleet Oyster Shuck-off competition, one of the largest in teh country. Oyster enthusiasts can also enjoy a variety of demonstrations, educational lectures and a Family Fun area, making it an ideal destination for families of all ages.