Archive for year 2006

See the updated Photo Gallery at HudsonValleyWineFest.com

We’re still working out the final details for the 2007 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest, so I don’t have much news for you. In the meantime, we can all reflect on the great time we had at Wine & Food Fest 2006. Thanks to our wonderful friend and photographer, Anabella Wewer, I’ve just added some new photos to the Wine & Food Fest Photo Gallery. Check them out and enjoy!

If you are a member of the media and would like high resolution copies of any photos you see on the site, please contact us and we’d be happy to provide them.

The Best Wine & Food Fest Yet!

Well, it’s been almost a week since the 2006 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest and we’re just about fully recovered. What an amazing weekend it was! The Grand Reserve Tasting event on Friday evening was sold out and the event raised over $5000 for the educational programs of Cornell Cooperative Extensions. For the Fest, we ended up with 119 vendors (including 43 NY wineries) and an attendance of just over 11,000 people for the weekend. That’s a 50% increase over last year! It even poured (and I mean POURED) rain on us Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t seem to dampen spirits much, thanks to the giant white tents.

Everyone here at the WineRacks.com Fest offices is very appreciative of all the efforts put forth by everyone involved. The actual list of “Thank Yous” would probably take all day to write, but I do have to say particular thanks to the wonderful folks at the Dutchess and Ulster Cornell Cooperative Extensions. You’re bright smiles and enthusiasm, really helped to make this year’s Grand Reserve a success. Thanks to the AMAZING restaurants and caterers who provided food for the evening. Thank you also goes out to our wonderful sponsors for your continued support and active participation. Thanks Professor John Nihoff and the super students of the Culinary Institute of America for being the cogs that kept the machine running. And finally, “Thanks!” to the demonstrating chefs, vendors, wineries, musicians and friends and family that helped us throughout the weekend.

We’re already hard at work on planning Wine & Food Fest 2007 which will happen on September 8th and 9th next year. Keep an eye on www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com for all the details.

Cheers!

More Than 100 Vendors to Participate in the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest

Today I just signed up our 101st Vendor for this year’s Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest, a local company called Caribbean Traders who sells beautiful wood outdoor furniture. I have to say the selection of products available at this year’s Fest surpasses any we’ve ever had.

Not only do we have 40 of New Yorks best wineries who will have just about every type of wine including some lesser known wines like Mead and unusual vintages like Pazdar Winery’s Dragonfire Rose’ made with habanero peppers, but we’ve got gourmet foods, fine arts and exquisite crafts. Even if you aren’t a huge wine enthusiast, there will be plenty of other interesting items to browse and purchase.
We are a wine AND Food Fest after all and so, we’ll have everything from quiche, pickles, pickled vegetables, hot sauces, dips, mustards, venison, jerky, chocolates, dessert sauces, honey, maple syrup, salsas and of course dozens of cheeses. You really must have cheese when you have wine, right? Lots of great products, many of them made right in New York from local produce.
We’ve got an unprecedented selection of hand crafted jewelry this year in amber, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Lovely cashmere scarves, hand crafted body scrubs and essential oils are just some of the other finely crafted items. You’ll also find fine art paintings by local artists, outdoor furniture and accessories.

There will be a “family friendly” area with hot air balloon rides from our sponsor ING Direct. Proceeds from the balloon rides will go to charity. We’ll also have hayrides and a wonderful crafts area for kids (and kids at heart) provided by The Creations with CARE Team of Big Yellow Box by Crayola. The Tipsy Turtle will be doing henna, face painting and hairwraps.

I know I’m a little biased, as Vendor Coordinator for this festival it’s my job to be excited by all of our vendors, but I have to say, I am REALLY enthusiastic about what this year’s Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest has to offer. We here at the Fest offices have always worked to put on a Fest that we ourselves would enjoy attending and I can tell you I can’t wait to go to the Fest this year!

You can view a complete list of wineries and market vendors on our Wineries page and check back often because the vendor list is still growing.

Cheers!

Jennifer

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