30th Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival

From 30th Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival Website:

The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival began 28 years ago as part of an island wide promotion to bring visitors and stimulate the islands food and beverage industry in the early spring shoulder season. At that time, Hilton Head Island was mostly known as a summer beach and golf destination. A group of fun-loving wine enthusiasts along with some great island culinary talents started the tradition of the annual Wine & Food Festival serving as the herald of spring. It was a coming out party of sorts, for residents and visitors alike who wanted to shake off winter. And with the help of many hands, the festival grew. From its origin as a one-day three-hour tasting, the festival has now blossomed into a full week of events: wine dinners, author receptions, movie screenings, wine knowledge sessions, a grand tasting and the public tasting. Our signature event, the original Public Tasting, is the largest outdoor tented public wine tasting on the East Coast!

One of the unique characteristics of the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival is the festivals cornerstone: the International Wine Competition. In late January, Certified Wine Educators and Advance Sommeliers spend 3 days judging over 850 different wines. Gold and silver medals are awarded and those wines are featured throughout the festival events along with other vintners choices. Wines are judged in various categories and at all price levels.

The Festival is an event produced by the non-profit corporation Hilton Head Wine & Food, Inc. The proceeds from the festivals wine auction at the Grand and Public Tastings support the John & Valerie Curry Educational Scholarship Fund for college students pursuing degrees in the hospitality & tourism field. Scholarships are currently offered at the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry.