The 34th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival Kicks Off Thursday
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By Malika Dudley / Email: malika@mauinow.com
The 34th annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival has the distinction of being the longest running event of its kind in the nation. This year, there are fourteen events that comprise the three-day festival. MauiNOW’s Malika Dudley spoke with the Katie Cotten, Director of Catering at the Montage Kapalua Bay Resort for details. Click HERE for a link to the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival website. A list of the events can be found below.
The 34th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival
June 11–14, 2015
THURSDAY, June 11
Welcome Reception
Merriman’s Kapalua 5–6:30 p.m.
Invitation only & four-day pass holders
Complimentary awards and luncheon
FRIDAY, June 12
Festival Golf Tournament
The Bay Course, Kapalua • 7 a.m.
Not included in four-day pass; sold separately
AVAs of Willamette Valley
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua • 12:30–2 p.m.
Join some of the true pioneers and new stars of Oregon Pinot Noir for a tour of the Willamette Valley and its unique terroir. This seminar will showcase both established headliners and newest upcoming wineries.
Allen Methven Methven Family Vineyards
Mark Tarlov Chapter 24
Eugenia Keegan Gran Moraine
Nate Klosterman Argyle
Great Wines from Women and Vines
A Panel Honoring the Amazing Women Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:00 pm– 4:30 pm
The “First Annual” Women in Wine panel features some of best winemakers in the industry today – that just happen to be ladies… this girl powered panel tasting will become an annual seminar that will celebrate the women that craft some of the finest wines in the world.
Mia Klein Selene Wines
Sara Fowler Peju
Pam Starr Crocker & Starr
Heidi Bridenhagen Macrostie Winery
The Grand Tasting – Kapalua Style
Hosted by Honolulu Star-Advertiser/HILuxury Magazine
Montage Kapalua Bay– 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Featuring the world-class cuisine of the Kapalua Resort family of restaurants and friends:
The Plantation House
Pineapple Grill
Merriman’s Kapalua
Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Kai Sushi at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Cane & Canoe at Montage Kapalua Bay
Maui Culinary Academy featuring Alumi Chef Lyndon Honda
Hawaii Made Dessert Station featuring Maui Cookie Lady and Big Island Candies & Cookies
Black River Caviar
Entertainment provided by local rising star Lily Meola.
SATURDAY, June 13
ZINFANDEL—“America’s Grape Variety” Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
For years, Zinfandel has been referred to as America’s grape variety. Whether it actually was brought to the U.S. from Italy or Croatia, the very fact that Zinfandel has been grown and flourished in America for well over a hundred years qualifies it as a resident grape variety. During all of that time, Zinfandel has witnessed many different stylistic and profile changes. For this year’s festival, we have assembled a panel of today’s most celebrated producers (of old vines & heritage grape selections) to better understand where this grape variety stands.
Matt Trevisan Linne Calodo
Fred Scherrer Scherrer Vineyards
Mike Officer Carlisle
Jeff Stewart Hartford Court Winery
Cooking Demonstration with Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer & Winemaker Daryl Groom
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Sponsored by Shun Knives
Long time friends and co-horts team up for a fun and feisty cooking demonstration featuring Chef Palmer’s progressive American style of cooking.
West Coast “Game Changers” Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The coastal California wine growing regions have grown meteorically in acclaim, especially over the past 5 years & deservedly so. High risk/high reward farming in these “colder sites” with configuration of the hills, elevation and proximity to the sea result in cooler growing conditions, combined with marine influenced soils, create very unique growing conditions. Thankfully, there is also a new generation of young, winemaking “Turks,” who have emerged & are absolutely changing the game. Join us and travel up Highway 101 from Santa Barbara County to Anderson Valley as we visit and taste with some of the most talented young winemakers of our era!
Raj Parr Domaine de la Cote
Gavin Chanin Chanin Wines
Matt Dees Jonata
Eric Johanssen Champ de Reves
SUNDAY, June 14
“The Wine World of Sports” Wine Seminar & Tasting
“Elusive and Exclusive” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
This Seminar brings together an amazing panel of celebrity athletes and “Hall of Famers” from Baseball and Football – that are now driven to make extremely high quality wines from different regions of the US! Taste their best wines and “Talk Story” with them about their sports careers- and their newest passion – making “Killer Wines!” Seriously, these guys have played in Super Bowls and World Series!
Vince Ferragamo Ferragamo
Rich Aurilia Red Stitch
Cooking Demonstration with Celebrity Chef Michael Mina
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Sponsored by Shun Knives
Award-winning Chef, restaurateur and author showcases his balanced approach to cooking focusing on spice, sweetness, acidity and richness. Co-hosted by the always engaging Master Sommelier Rob Bigelow and the wines of Kosta Browne/winemaker Dan Kosta.
“Elusive and Exclusive” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
This Seminar Features a panel of winemakers famous for producing seriously amazing “elusive” wines from the most exclusive “neighborhoods” in the Napa Valley.
David Long David Arthur Vineyards
Philippe Melka Melka Wines
Chris Carpenter Lokoya Wines
Jeff Garguilo Garguilo
Hosted by Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Beach House Lawn – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
14 of Maui’s Top Restaurants showcase a seafood specialty and culinary creation in competition for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s “Best of the Fest” award. Hawaiian entertainment provided by Nuff Sedd.
Banyan Tree
Hula Grill
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
Joe’s Nuevo Latino
Japengo
Makena Beach Restaurant
Mala/Honu/Fridas
Maui Culinary Academy
Migrant
Morimoto Maui
Pacific’o
Pailolo Grill & Bar/Westin
Roy’s Restaurant
Star Noodle
There are also several “Industry only” events.
A Master Class Introduction to Wine Tasting
Thursday, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Invitation only; Industry
Local Industry Wine Trade Show & Gourmet Products Sampling
Thursday, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Invitation only, Industry