Kapalua Resort Hosts 33rd Kapalua Wine And Food Festival
The legendary Kapalua Resort will host the 33rd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival presented by Visa Signature from June 12-15th. Held at various locations throughout the resort, the four day festival features celebrity chefs acclaimed winemakers from throughout the world and, Maui's finest culinary talents in a host of fun-filled events and tastings.
This year's kick-off event "The Grand Tasting" will be held at the newly opened Montage Kapalua Bay, which sits on the site of the former Kapalua Bay Hotel and is the original location for the inaugural Kapalua Wine & Food Symposium in 1981. The Grand Tasting will be held on the property's ocean front lawn and feature the culinary delights of The Plantation House, Pineapple Grill, Merriman's Kapalua, The Terrace Chef-Crafted at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Kai Sushi at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and Montage Kapalua Bay. Special guests will include an international pavilion of the specialty foods and wines of New Zealand as well as Whole Foods Market. Ukulele virtuoso Aidan James will provide headline entertainment.
This year's seminars are highlighted by the international focus on the wines of New Zealand and Italy.
Hosted by Master Sommelier Michael Jordan, "A Journey through Emerging Regions" of New Zealand's North and South Islands on Friday, June 13th allows guests taste some of this island nation's finest red and white wines from several different varietals. Friday's events also include the Festival Golf Tournament and The Grand Tasting.
On Saturday, June 14th, events include seminars on pinot noir and Washington State wineries, a cooking demonstration from chef Mark Tarbell, as well as dinners at Montage Kapalua Bay, The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, Merriman's, and the Plantation House Restaurant.
On Sunday, June 15th, "The Italians are Coming" seminar features a quartet of famous Italian winemakers. The "Bacchus Loves the Hillsides" seminar focuses on mountain vineyards in California. Also on Sunday, chef Dean Fearing will host a tasting luncheon, an afternoon wine tour around Kapalua Resort is offered and the final Seafood Festival celebration will close the event.
Major sponsors for the 2014 event include Visa Signature, Kapalua Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, The Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui Visitors Bureau, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/HI Luxury Magazine, New Zealand Winegrowers & Trade Commission and Alaska Airlines.
Tickets are on sale now with a limited number of Kama'aina tickets also being offered through May 31. For information on the schedule of events, to purchase tickets or accommodations packages available at the resort properties, visit their website.
For more reviews of Los Angeles restaurants and food related events, visit author, publicist, magician and freelance travel and food writer Shaena Engle's culinary blog The Divine Dish.