The Nantucket Wine & Food Festival is one of the leading annual events on this beautiful New England island. It takes place in May, just in time to kick off the summer season in Nantucket.
Over the years, the NWF has become one of the most popular events on the island. And one of the most prestigious events of this kind in the USA. Every year, more than 3,000 attendees come to the island of Nantucket, MA, to enjoy the awakening of the island for the new season while tasting some of the best wines and foods in the world. The people who participate in the Festival include the leading chefs, sommeliers, winemakers, and culinary and wine experts in the country and from around the globe.
If you are planning on going to the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival, make sure to book your tickets for the events of your liking as early as possible.
Also, don’t forget to book your plane or ferry tickets and make reservations for the local accommodation of your choice as early as possible because the picturesque island can get quite crowded during this 5-day Festival.
This year, it is expected that there will be an even greater interest in this Wine and Food Festival because it was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 24th annual Festival starts on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022, with a welcome reception where you can enjoy some of the best wines, spirited drinks, and music alongside the best chefs, sommeliers, vintners, winemakers, and other participants.
During the event-rich weekend, you can enjoy tasting some of the best dishes, wines, and pairings in the stately and grandest local private homes and sites, which are otherwise not open to the public.
The festival weekend then continues with a full schedule of tastings, parties, galas, breakfasts, brunches, seminars, and more.
The focal point of the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival is the Grand Tasting which takes place in several sessions on Saturday and Sunday (May 21st and 22nd). There are several sessions throughout the weekend which will take place at the White Elephant on 50 Easton Street, at the Mad Hatter Meadow Pavilion and others.
But please keep in mind that the attendance is quite limited, and some of the tastings have already sold out, so you should hurry up and book your tickets now if you don’t want to miss them.
During the 5-day Festival you can enjoy eating some of the most amazing dishes, and taste wines from France, Italy, Chile, California, and many more. You can also eat the freshest local seafood delicacies, including oysters, lobsters, and others prepared by the world-renowned best chefs.
Apart from the four Grand tasting sessions, here are some of the other events you should definitely attend.
Great wines in Grand Houses – these wine tastings take place in some of the most luxurious private residences on the island and continue throughout the 5-day event. You can get a chance to try some of the best wines from around the globe.
The Harbor Gala – this is the first event with which the 5-day Festival is officially opened. You can try some expertly curated and paired wines and dishes at the gala by the leading chefs and winemakers.
The Full English Breakfast Fry Up – indulge in a full English breakfast at the White Elephant while sipping on top-quality champagne. What a way to start the new day!
Champagne Clambake – this fun-filled event is held at Bartlett’s Farm and includes drinking the best champagne, eating freshly caught clams, and listening to live music.
The Seminars – if you want to learn more about wines and foods and all of the latest tendencies, then make sure that you sign up for one or more of the various seminars held during the 5-day Festival.
The Bluegrass Brunch – take the time to relax while enjoying some unique craft cocktails and eating the most delicious grilled food on the East Coast during this brunch.
The Grand Tastings – as mentioned earlier, the Grand Tastings are the Festival’s main events. They take place on Saturday and Sunday, and more than 600 wines are presented for tasting by the leading winemakers and are paired with exquisite dishes prepared by the best chefs in the world.
As a whole, if you want to visit Nantucket, and prefer to go there before the busy summer season comes, then the Wine & Food Festival is one of the best times to choose. In late May, all of the restaurants, galleries, museums, and other venues start reopening for the new season.
Best of all, if you plan ahead, you can book a beautiful and accessible private residence for your stay for an even more authentic and comfortable experience in Nantucket.
Featured Photo by Kevin Kelly on Unsplash
