Kapalua Food and Wine Festival Starts Next Friday

By Vanessa Wolf

In vino veritas or a hangover or something like that. Photo courtesy Ritz Carlton.

Plan to take the day off and purge your schedule of all distractions, because the three-day bender known as the Kapalua Food and Wine festival starts next Friday, June 7 – 9.

Beginning bright and early at 7 a.m., events kick off with the Festival Golf Tournament ($125) at The Bay Course in Kapalua.

Golfers can expect to pair up with Festival winemakers, speakers and guests for a game of gently rolling fairways and scenic ocean views with complimentary awards luncheon to follow.

Not so much?

Then perhaps the sparkling wine and cheese seminar ($85 or $75 for kama’aina) from 1 to 2 p.m. is more your thing.

Held at the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, Hawaii residents Michael Jordan, Master Sommelier (MS); Chuck Furuya, MS; Roberto Viernes, MS and Patrick Okubo, MS; will be welcoming former resident Kent Torrey of The Cheese Shop of Carmel back to the islands.

The event features pairings of sparkling wines and cheeses from around the globe.

The vintages you can expect to enjoy include Vilmart & Cie’s Grand Cellier Brut, Louis Roederer’s NV Louis Roederer Carte Blance, Ruggeri’s Prosecco “Giustino Bisol,” Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blancs “Premier Cru,” Juve Y Camp Gran Reserva Cava from Spain, and Domaine Carneros’ Domaine Carneros.

The cheese offerings are a mystery, but we trust Mr. Torrey won’t let you down.

Take an hour to sober up a bit and then get ready for the Napa Cabernet Brain Trust Wines Seminar ($90 or $80 for kama’aina) from 3 to 4 p.m.

The featured panelists include Philippe Melka of Melka Wines, Mia Klein of Selene Wines, and Andy Erickson of Leviathan & Favia Wines.

They will be discussing and featuring Melka Wines, 2009 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon “Dead Fred,” 2003 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon “Napa Valley,” and Leviathan & Favia Wines.

The Kapalua Food and Wine Festival circa 2012. Courtesy photo.

Still seeing straight?

Able to speak without (too much) slurring or proclamations of love?

How’s your runway strut?

Presuming it’s all still in check, you’re ready to hit the Grand Tasting, Kapalua Style ($150 per person, or $140 for kama’aina or Visa Signature cardholders) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Held on the Beach House Lawn of the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, your taste buds can explore rare and celebrated wines from around the world.

Savor the cuisine of Kapalua’s culinary maestros as they utilize locally grown produce.

There will also be live local entertainment provided by Kahulanui, a Hawaiian music swing band.

Featured restaurants include: the Banyan Tree, Kai Sushi, Merriman’s Restaurant, Pineapple Grill and Plantation House.

Remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated, because this is only day one of three, Tiger. That’s right. There’s more where this came from. Stay tuned.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – Vanessa(@mauinow.com)