From September 19th through 21st, three of Newport’s most beautiful historic mansions will once again be filled with visitors and vendors celebrating the 9th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County and FOOD & WINE. Hundreds of wines from around the world will be poured, and a variety of cuisine from regional restaurants and caterers will be served, making the festival one of the East Coast’s most sophisticated and anticipated events.
Television chef and author Sara Moulton and internationally-renowned lifestyle expert Martha Stewart will headline the Grand Tastings at Marble House, cooking on the Jenn-Air Master Class Culinary Stage on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Regional favorites also participating in the weekend cooking demonstrations include Michael Ferraro, Executive Chef of Delicatessen and creator of Mac Bar in New York City, and Dan Enos, Executive Chef & Managing Partner of Boston’s Oceanaire Seafood Room. Chocolate lovers will delight in Brian Donaghy’s & Tim Brown’s demonstration with Guittard Chocolate. Additionally, local chefsKarsten Hart, Executive Chef at Newport’s Castle Hill Inn, Jonathan Cartwright, Executive Chef of MUSE at Vanderbilt Grace, and Champe Speidel of Persimmon will be sharing their talent and tips on stage.
The Grand Tastings will also feature book signings by the guest chefs and other authors throughout the weekend. Visitors will also get to enjoy the Stella Artois Beer Garden, where Master Chef Daniel Joly will offer pairings of cheese, chocolates and fruits with samples of their Belgium beers, Stella Artois, Hoegarten or specialty Cidre.
The weekend kicks off with the Wine &Rosecliff gala on Friday night, featuring an outstanding selection of fine wines and food amid seaside Gilded Age splendor. After Saturday’s Grand Tasting, the fun continues at the Collectible Wine Dinner at The Elms. Guests will enjoy a delicious meal while getting to taste and learn about a variety of high-end collectible wines, including Krug Champagne, Flowers Chardonnay, Kistler Pinot Noir, Chateau Haut Brion Bordeaux, and Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Napa.
Additionally on Saturday night, the return of Newport After Dark will give guests an opportunity to extend the party late into the night while enjoying food and cocktails from some of the Festival sponsors at Forty 1˚ North on the Newport waterfront.
On Sunday, an exclusive Winemakers’ Brunch offers guests the unique experience of tasting the magnificent rosés of Chateau d’Esclans, guided by winemaker Sacha Liccine, in the grandeur of the Gold Ballroom at Marble House.
Beginning Friday, visitors can attend seminars to learn about wines from different regions of the world. Guests are encouraged to ask some of the industry’s most respected experts, including Lou Di Palo, Jordan MacKay, Megan Krigbaum, Helen Morrison, Larry Stone, Geoff Labitzke, Philippe Newlin and Marshall Altier about the tasting, pairing and buying of wine.
The Presenting Sponsor of the 2014 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is FOOD & WINE Magazine. Additional sponsors are National Trust Insurance Services, Alex & Ani, Italian Trade Commission, Jenn-Air, Atria Senior Living, Stella Artois, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, Hyatt Regency Newport, Lila Delman Real Estate, Alaska Seafood, Chef Works, Arrow Prestige Limousine & Coach, Villa Maria, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Certified Piedmontese Beef, Leaf & Fiber, Celebrity Cruises, , Chateau d’Esclans, 41 North, Baume & Mercier, Tourism Ireland, Maple Leaf Farms, Coca Cola, Quintessa, Whistle Pig Whiskey, United Airlines, Amtrak, Yankee Magazine and Design New England.
All proceeds from the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival benefit The Preservation Society of Newport County, a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes, and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2014 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, visit www.NewportMansionsWineAndFood.org, or call (401) 847-1000.
