Schedule:

September 22, 2023

A Tale of Fire and Water - 11:00am – 12:00pm
Indulge in the luscious native varietals that represent the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily. With its emerald seas and diverse landscape, Sardinia has a unique wine culture. The island is known for its indigenous grape varieties that produce a range of delicious wines, from rich and full-bodied reds to crisp and aromatic whites. Sicily is home to one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, and its volcanic soils provide a distinctive flavor profile to the wines. Exploring the volcanic wines of Mount Etna, with their elegance and minerality, will offer an exciting wine journey presented by Tara Empson.

Boutique Wines from Around the World - 11:30am – 12:30am
Discover unique, handcrafted, small-production wines of diverse varietals from around the world presented by Jonathan Hetz of Quigley Fine Wines. A pairing plate curated by Culinary Director Chef Kevin Des Chenes will accompany the tasting.

Bubbles and Caviar - 12:00pm – 1:00pm
This seminar will explore the luxurious world of bubbly Champagne and exquisite caviar. We will delve into the history, production and appreciation of these delicacies, exploring the art of Champagne and caviar pairing, and how the flavors and textures complement and enhance each other. We’ll also discuss the appropriate serving techniques and etiquette. This seminar promises to be an enriching and delightful experience.

Wines of Israel - 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Join us for a fun and spirited blind tasting with Josh Greenstein of IWPA, a fifth-generation wine industry expert. The diverse terroir, Mediterranean climate and advanced winemaking techniques of Israel have contributed to the production of a vast variety of high-quality wines in various styles. Test your skills, sign up with friends and win some prizes! A pairing plate from Boar’s Head will accompany the seminar.

Wines of Europe - 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Take a magical journey through the boutique wines of Spain, Italy and France and taste the contrasting styles and flavors that make them the most sought-after wines on the planet.

Hardshore Gin Tasting and Cocktail Seminar, featuring 9diDANTE: Vermouth di Torino - 2:00pm – 3:00pm

This unique spirit and cocktail tasting showcases Hardshore Gin and 9diDANTE Vermouth. You will find the gin is surprisingly complex despite being made with only five botanicals. Inspired by Dante’s La Divina Comedia and his journey through Hell, this Vermouth di Torino defies the traditional boundaries of Italian Rosso vermouths. Blended from equal parts Dolcetto Red and Cortese White Piedmont wines, this original recipe has been developed to deliver a modern and intriguing taste.

Hardshore Gin Tasting and Cocktail Seminar, featuring 9diDANTE: Vermouth di Torino - 2:00pm – 3:00pm

This unique spirit and cocktail tasting showcases Hardshore Gin and 9diDANTE Vermouth. You will find the gin is surprisingly complex despite being made with only five botanicals. Inspired by Dante’s La Divina Comedia and his journey through Hell, this Vermouth di Torino defies the traditional boundaries of Italian Rosso vermouths. Blended from equal parts Dolcetto Red and Cortese White Piedmont wines, this original recipe has been developed to deliver a modern and intriguing taste.

Impress Your Guests! The Science and Flavor of Cocktail and Food Pairings - 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Love to host and ready to mix things up? Learn to break out of the same old food and wine pairings and explore the ins and outs of how to pair global cuisines and classic flavors with cocktails for a seamless experience featuring Delola World Class Crafted Cocktails. Delola is a ready-to-enjoy cocktail founded by international artist and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez, who teamed up with global drinks veterans Ken Austin and Jenna Fagnan to launch the brand in April 2023. Working with world-renowned mixologist Lynnette Marrero, they created three sparkling expressions: Paloma Rosa Spritz, crafted with premium tequila, grapefruit and elderflower; Bella Berry Spritz, crafted with premium vodka, berry and hibiscus; and L’Orange Spritz, crafted with amaro, orange and passionfruit.

Coastal Exploration of Pinot Noir - 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Pinot Noir is a truly elegant grape that can express so much about the place where it was grown. In this session, we journey down the West Coast, stopping at all the best sources for this princess of vitis vinifera. Join Mollie Battenhouse, Master of Wine, Jackson Family Wines, as we focus on female-owned and -managed wineries that express the best of their terroir.

Mount Gay Rum Tasting and Cocktail Seminar - 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Taste and learn about the various expressions of Mount Gay Rum and enjoy a mixed cocktail to round out this fun and inspirational tasting.

Special Event

The Vintner Dinner - 7:00pm – 11:00pm

A Chef Collaboration hosted by four-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern

We are excited to welcome Andrew Zimmern, an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer and social justice advocate, as the host for our 2023 Vintner Dinner! This evening will be chef-driven and will include a unique collaboration of ideas and experiences from several celebrated and award-winning chefs.

The multi-course dinner will begin with a first course by our host Andrew Zimmern, known for his culinary innovations and adventurous palate. Chef Kevin Des Chenes, Private Chef to the Stars, Executive Chef and a familiar face from The Today Show, Beat Bobby Flay and The Great Food Truck Race, will bring his expertise and creativity to the table. Chef/Author Tatiana Rosana, Executive Chef at Para Maria, Lookout Rooftop and Envoy Boston, and two-time Chopped Champion, will feature her amazing fusion of flavors. Chef Jessica Quiet, the Executive Pastry Chef at the Ocean House in Westerly, R.I., and a competitor in Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship 2023 on Discovery Plus, will bring the culinary experience to a sweet and indulgent conclusion with her dessert creation.

With the combination of delicious food, wines paired for each course and an elegant setting in the Ballroom at Rosecliff, the evening has all the elements to create a memorable and immersive experience for all.

September 23, 2023

Designing a Charcuterie Board and Wine Pairing - 11:00am – 12:00pm
Enjoy a mini charcuterie tasting plate and learn step-by-step how you can create a well-balanced and visually appealing charcuterie board, along with suggested wine pairings from Rhode Island’s favorite vineyards. A delightful and flavorful experience presented by John Zisa, Family Foods Manager, Boar’s Head.

The Young Guns of Champagne hosted by Thatcher’s Wine - 12:00pm – 1:00pm   
No longer is Champagne only for special occasions! This tasting and discussion will focus on many of the young winemakers who are re-imagining the region and crafting wines of sophistication and longevity. Presented by Thatcher Baker-Briggs of Thatcher’s Wine

Dive into the World of Rosé - 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Alex Diard from the famed Chateau D’Esclans will lead guests through a tasting of The Pale, the newest rosé from the creator of Whispering Angel, the iconic Provence rosé brand that sparked a worldwide phenomenon, and dive into the inspiration behind rosé master Sacha Lichine’s newest brand. Alex will also give guests a master class in elevating The Pale by creating two signature rosé cocktails.

Sensory Awareness and Wine - 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Presented by Mollie Battenhouse, Master of Wine, Jackson Family Wines, this tasting is a fun way to learn about how food and wine pair together and provides a framework for creating better pairings. We will taste a series of five wines that display or highlight the building blocks of wine:?acid, sugar, tannin, alcohol and umami (deliciousness), along with a small plate of flavors that display the elements of food that affect the way food and wine interact: acid, sugar, protein, salt, fat and umami.?The wines are tasted in a progression with different elements on the plate so that the participants understand how food can affect or enhance the way a wine tastes alongside it.

Ammunition Whiskey Tasting and Seminar - 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Experience the unique marriage of flavors offered by Ammunition Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels. This is a captivating and distinctive spirit that combines the richness of bourbon with the nuanced influence of Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, an interplay that makes it a memorable choice for whiskey enthusiasts.

International Beer & Bites - 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Take a tantalizing trip around the world of beer at this fun and educational seminar. Enjoy a variety of styles paired with savory bites from Boar’s Head, presented by Kris Sjolander of international beer importer United States Beverage.

September 24, 2023

Baglio di Pianetto: Surprisingly Sicilian - 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Discover the surprising selections of Baglio di Pianetto. After a long search for the perfect vineyard plot, founder Count Paolo Marzotto settled on Sicily for its diverse landscape, environment and elevations where he could create wines that were sustainable and eventually certified organic. Participants will be led through a tasting of Baglio di Pianetto’s monovarietal selection, exploring more obscure varietals like Frappato and Catarratto. There will also be a tasting of two wines from their classic tier, which combine Sicily’s grapes and terroir with stylistically French influences. Surprise your senses with these delightful yet uncommon Sicilian wines presented by Gabrielle Tapia, Certified Specialist of Wine.

A Tale of Fire and Water - 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Indulge in the luscious native varietals that represent the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily. With its emerald seas and diverse landscape, Sardinia has a unique wine culture. The island is known for its indigenous grape varieties that produce a range of delicious wines, from rich and full-bodied reds to crisp and aromatic whites. Sicily is home to one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, and its volcanic soils provide a distinctive flavor profile to the wines. Exploring the volcanic wines of Mount Etna, with their elegance and minerality, will offer an exciting wine journey presented by Tara Empson.

Unexpected Wine Pairings Presented by Coravin - 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Break the boundaries of classic wine pairings during this interactive seminar presented by Coravin and Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. We’ll explore what goes into making the perfect food and wine combination and how you can experiment at home and elevate your wine-pairing experiences to a whole new level.

Navigating White Burgundy hosted by Thatcher’s Wine - 3:00pm – 4:00pm
This isn’t just Chardonnay. Taste your way through different areas in Burgundy and learn the unbelievable differences in how wine-making choices, soils and exposures change the way a wine tastes from the same grapes, in the same region. Presented by Thatcher Baker-Briggs.

Regenerative Organic and Biodynamic Practices – An Organic Wine Tasting - 3:30pm – 4:30pm
This tasting will dive into the concept of regenerative organic certification, biodynamics and how climate change is shifting the wine landscape. Enjoy estate and single vineyard wines from Bonterra Organic Estates. A pairing plate from Boar’s Head will accompany the seminar.

Chef Kev Des Chenes Culinary Demonstration and South African Wine Tasting - 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Don’t miss Private Chef to the Stars, author of “Beyond My Chef Coat” and Festival Culinary Director Chef Kev Des Chenes demonstrate how to make his Blackberry Jam and Narragansett Creamery Burrata served with wines from South Africa presented by Pascal Schildt, Mosaic Distributing.

Date: September 22 - 24, 2023

Location: Rosecliff - 548 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840

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