Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vermont is a historic city ideal for your next big summer excursion. This unique destination is the largest in Vermont at around 43,000 residents and features unique shops, a vibrant culture and stunning natural vistas.
Burlington is well known for its culinary scene, and Forbes magazine recognized the city as one of the best in America for foodie travelers. Unique restaurants are all over the city and regardless of the preferences of your palate, you’ll find something that suits your taste. Away from from the culinary scene you’ll find a great assortment of things to do. Try taking a boat tour of the lake, where you’ll be able to view a diverse selection of wildlife while enjoying plenty of opportunities for photography. The city is also home to some quality museums and galleries, which showcase everything from the city's rich history to its cutting edge art. Local parks and public areas like Waterfront Park are lush, clean and present you with an opportunity for an abundance of outdoor activities. Events and festivals here are amazing, and events like Burlington Food & Wine Festival are must-see attractions if you're visiting in the summer.
In just seven years, the Burlington Food & Wine Festival has established a dedicated following. The festival is comprised of a main Grand Tasting and a series of smaller events at various locations in the city. You’ll be treated to some of the best food and wine from world renowned experts at the various tastings. Wine producers from all over the world will be putting on various seminars. Plus, live jazz music will be performed during both sessions of the Grand Tasting. This event is 21+, so make sure you plan accordingly. For one-of-a-kind experience in one of the most beautiful places in the Northeastern United States, head to the Burlington Food & Wine Festival. We got the chance to interview Patty McShane, representative for the Burlington Food & Wine Festival, to talk about this unique event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
PM: 2016 marks the 7th annual Burlington Food & Wine Festival. It varies between events, but we are expecting 2,000 attendees at the Grand Tasting. At the smaller series events, we typically see between 12 and 150 guests. When it comes to demographics of our crowd, first and foremost the festival is 21 and older. Within our 21+ crowd, we see groups of friends, older families, couples and singles. We attract all types of enthusiasts including food, wine, speciality cocktail and people who just love events.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
PM: This is a premier event in New England that features the largest scope of globally produced wines, artisan and award winning food producers, and James Beard nominated chefs.
RAL: Take me through what attendees can expect at the event.
PM: We are going to have some top-notch live jazz music performed during both sessions of the event. It sets the perfect mood for enjoying wine, food, and the breathtaking views of Lake Champlain.
There will be a wonderful series of seminars put on by winemakers from France, Italy and California. In addition, we will have Rodney Scott conducting a cooking seminar. Whether you're a professional chef or a foodie, there are great events for you to enjoy at our festival.
The food and dining options available here are second to none. We have 12 award winning Vermont restaurants serving samples of culinary creations. Also, the Vermont Cheese Council will be handing out samples of curated cheeses.
RAL: What is the overall environment of the festival like?
PM: The environment for our event is relaxing, fun, and entertaining. With the assortment of events that we present, anyone interested in attending will find something to enjoy. It’s held at the beautiful Waterfront Park, right on the shore of Lake Champlain, proving the ideal scenic backdrop for an event such as ours.
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
PM: Yes, we do have lodging partners for the festival. Our partners this year are Hotel Vermont and Courtyard Marriott Burlington. Summer is peak season for travel to Burlington, so plan accordingly!
RAL: What does the event mean to the community?
PM: This is a great opportunity for people to get together, have a good time and meet new people. It also helps the local economy because our guests are spending money at the local shops, hotels, restaurants and more, in addition to ordering wine at the event.
We will be holding auction benefit for SEABA (South End Arts and Business Association). They aim to raise awareness for the community and help increase economic vitality in Burlington. In addition the funds are also used to promote the arts in the community.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
PM: Summers in New England are beautiful and the event has a spectacular view of Lake Champlain. You can choose samples from 300+ wine options. These feature a wide range of varietals and styles from all over the globe. You’ll be able to savor award-winning cheeses presented by Vermont Cheese Council. Where else can you learn during fun and informative seminars, that are led by winemakers and culinary experts from around the globe? Plus, there are spectacular views of the Adirondacks, live jazz and all the friendly people from our community.
For more information about the Burlington Food & Wine Festival, please visit their website.