On June 11, 2009, the longest-running and most prestigious festival of its kind in Hawaii, celebrates 28 years of fine food and wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza.
Inspired by innovation, excellence and intimacy, the 28th annual Kapalua Wine and Food Festival explores some of the most exciting trends in the gastronomic world.
Festival Host, Master Sommelier Fred Dame brings together world-renown winemakers, top Master Sommeliers, celebrating chefs and industry insiders for a long-weekend of daily culinary exhibitions, interactive wine tastings and evening gala events. The Grand Tasting, Kapalua Seafood Festival, In the Kitchen and Fred Dame’s Rare Wines Dinner are but a few of the highlights of this trendsetting event.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 11, 2009 Welcome Reception
This invitation-only affair includes Master Sommeliers, winemakers, celebrity chefs, media, sponsors and 4-day pass holders for an intimate kick off to the 2009 Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.
Friday, June 12
7:a.m. Shotgun Start/Festival Golf Tournament
The Bay Course
Tickets $145.00
10 a.m.-1 p.m. / In the Kitchen with Chef Robert McGrath
Chef Robert McGrath, Founder of Roaring Fork, An American Western Bistro and Bar. Winner of the prestigious James Beard Award “Best Chef in America: Southwest”, chef McGrath shares his inherent passion with twenty-five privileged attendees who are then treated to a sit down lunch with the Chef as Festival Master Sommeliers Jay Fletcher and Emily Wines provide connoisseur insight on premier wine selections.
Tickets: $200.00
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m./ Psyco Pinots
Make an everlasting impression on both your palate and psyche with one of the oldest varieties of grapes to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine. Pinot Noir has a reputation of being a “difficult” grape for winemakers, but when perfected it has the potential to blow your mind…and taste buds!
Tickets: $125.00 Included in 4 day pass
6 p.m.-9 p.m./ The Grand Tasting
Transcend yourself into the shared pleasures of the French Quarters at the Carnival themed congenial affair that showcases over one hundred famed wines from around the world. With the sun setting over the Pacific. Executive Chef John Zaner presents Creole-inspired cuisine prepared by The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Culinary Team.
Tickets: $145.00 Included in 4 day pass
Saturday June 13, 2009
8 a.m. – 9 a.m./ Cardio Tennis
Start your day off right and get moving with music and energetic tennis drills for players of all levels.
Tickets: Included in 4 day pass
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. / Masters of the Feud
Only for the brave enthusiasts with vigor to spare, this interactive, fast paced rendition of a classic game show features guests from the audience that will face off in blind taste tests. Let’s hope their supportive families of Master Sommeliers don’t get in a feud…survey says?
11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m./ An Organic Experience with Chef Scott Giambastiani
Executive Chef Scott Giambastiani, of Internet dominator, Google, Inc. demonstrates his signature craft using local, sustainable and organic ingredients paired with prominent wine selections, this culinary exhibition and wine pairing is one that will be celebrated at every table!
Tickets : Included in 4 day pass of $145.00
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m./ Kapalua Wine tour
Embark in an adventure through the spectacular Kapalua Resort, as local wine distributors showcase the unique and hard to fine wines in their current portfolios.
Tickets: included in 4- day Festival pass or $50.00
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m./ Raising Riesling from the Dead
Re-spin that popularity wheel! Riesling is creeping back into the spotlight again. The versatile grape can produce a broad range of dry to sweet wines that you just might find to be pleasantly crisp and refreshing.
Tickets: Included in 4 day Festival Pass or $125.00
Sunday June 14, 2009/ Day After Alchemy
Start your last Festival day off right with some epicurean entertainment Three of the Festival Master Sommeliers, Jay Fletcher, Greg Harrington and Emily Wines compete to create the best concoction cure for any lingering weekend hangovers. The three other Festival Master Sommeliers, Fred Dame, Michael Jordan and Geoff Kruth demonstrate their hidden talents as ingenious chefs of breakfast fare.
Tickets: Included in 4 Day Festival pass or $145.00
12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m./ Golf Clinic
Novice and veteran players take the personalized opportunity to work on their full swing and short game with top Kapalua golf professions.
Tickets: Included in 4 day pass and open to industry and media
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m./Walla Walla and Cheese
Cheese Aficionado, Kent Torrey of The Cheese Shop, Inc. in Carmel and Santa Barbara, CA returns for another unforgettable sampling of delectable cheeses! Pair these brilliant cheeses with astounding wines from a region where “glacier outbursts” occurred over 15,000 years ago and you will be immersed in a melt in your mouth experience unlike any other.
Tickets: included in 4 day Festival pass or $125.00
6 p.m. – 9 p.m./ Kapalua Seafood Festival
The perfect epicurean occasion to culminate this Festival weekend, Maui’s top chefs are featured in a bounty of the Pacific complimented by fine wine selections from Festival Host, Master Sommelier Fred Dame. Enjoy live entertainment while you mingle with winemakers and industry executives and tantalize your taste buds…one last time.
By the way if you go to Kapalua Wine and Food Festival home page and go to the Seafood Festival YES that is a picture of me waiting in the Wine line! Don’t miss this event!
Tickets: Included in 4 Day Festival pass or $145.00
