For 20 years, Charleston Wine + Meals has been throwing the get together of the 12 months, bringing collectively cooks, winemakers, storytellers, foodies, and oenophiles from all over the world for a five-day, multi-venue pageant celebrating the culinary scene of Charleston and highlighting the expertise and variety of its meals and beverage neighborhood.
Subsequent 12 months’s occasion takes place March 5–9 (tickets are on sale now!) and includes a first-class, purpose-driven program full of à la carte occasions starting from events to workshops, tastings to excursions — plus immersive experiences you received’t discover wherever else.
Highlights of the Lowcountry
With lunches, brunches, dinners, and events happening at venues throughout and past the peninsula — from Johns Island to Sullivan’s Island, Mount Nice to Isle of Palms — Charleston Wine + Meals affords a singular lens by which vacationers can see (and pattern) a few of the metropolis’s standout spots. It additionally presents the right excuse for Lowcountry locals to hit the city.
Kick off the 2025 fest with The Vinyl Occasion at Groovers Listening Bar, the place music might be paired with Martinis for a multi-sensory expertise. At Mex 1 Tacos + Tequilas, you possibly can take pleasure in that basic combo whereas sipping Margaritas at a surf-inspired seashore bar. Or join and sit down for an unique farm-to-table expertise on the HERD Provisions Signature Dinner, an occasion showcasing domestically sourced components that actually embodies the pageant’s dedication to sustainability.
And that’s only a pattern of the curated experiences being hosted at native institutions round city.
Should you’d slightly expertise a smorgasbord of meals, drink, and enjoyable in a single location, seize your tickets and make your approach to The Culinary Village. Subsequent 12 months’s bustling food-and-drink truthful might be at Johnson Hagood Stadium, the place top-notch caterers from throughout town might be cooking up specialty Lowcountry small bites you could take pleasure in with a big selection of wine, beer, and even spirit-free samplings the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the fest.
After all, the three-and-a-half-hour expertise extends far past consuming and consuming. Converse and join at guide signings and meet-and-greets. Catch a glimpse behind the scenes (and into the kitchen) with on-site demos that includes star cooks. Roam the stalls of native artisans and rating recent and engaging souvenirs on the farmers market. Get pleasure from dwell leisure together with music, culinary competitions, and stand-up comedy.
And sooner or later, remember to seize a glass and get down on the dance flooring to native and regional musical acts. It is a get together, in any case.
The place native focus meets international flavors
Who wants a airplane whenever you’ve acquired a plate? Finished proper, foods and drinks might be actually transportive, and the main focus of Charleston Wine + Meals extends far past conventional Southern fare. As a substitute, organizers have taken a worldwide strategy, highlighting the range of town’s culinary scene whereas demonstrating how delicacies can cross borders to forge significant connections amongst cities, international locations, and cultures.
Following Fats Tuesday, hit Friday’s One Evening in NOLA, a signature occasion serving Gullah- and Creole-inspired fare designed to showcase the wealthy tradition and daring flavors of each Holy Metropolis and the Huge Simple. Ditch the forks for a literal hands-on eating expertise at Kultura’s Kamayan Feast, the place you’ll pattern Filipinx-American delicacies — historically served on banana leaves and consumed sans utensils — in a communal setting courtesy of the meals style’s rising cooks. Or embark on an edible tour like Avenue Eats – El Viaje, a tasty tour highlighting the hidden gems and holes-in-the-wall that comprise Charleston’s Central and South American meals scene.
Every of those experiences presents a possibility on your style buds to journey the world from throughout the metropolis limits. Urge for food important; no passport required.
Workshop ‘til you drop
Together with recognition, sustainability, and philanthropy, the fourth pillar of the Charleston Wine + Meals is schooling — that includes seminars that spotlight culinary strategies demonstrated by native business, promote culinary traditions, and create new networking and skill-building alternatives for attendees.
These workshops are designed to tell and encourage (together with a number of seminars proudly supported by VinePair).
For instance, Quick Meals + Positive Wine is the place you’ll transcend the basic drive-thru query, “Would you like fries with that?” to find which bottle of wine pairs finest along with your burger. Additionally on faucet: Let’s Negroni, an in-depth exploration of the long-lasting, century-old cocktail that incorporates simply three components however infinite prospects. Or try Chill Out (with Purple Wine), the place you possibly can be taught in regards to the bev development that’s been taking wine bars by storm whereas sipping on a number of right this moment’s hottest (coolest) reds.
Neglect visible studying. Right here, it’s all in regards to the style take a look at. And regardless of which subject you select, you’re positive to stroll away somewhat bit wiser — with a very happy palate.
Gifting a very good time
With the vacation season in full swing, we advise you forgo the sweaters, quit the reward playing cards, and stuff your family members’ stockings with tickets to a Charleston Wine + Meals occasion as a substitute for a significant, experiential reward.
Occasions are individually ticketed and vary in value, so you possibly can choose the choice finest suited to their tastes and your finances. (And if you wish to splurge, there’s The Weekender Bundle, which features a VIP Culinary Village expertise and entry to 2 of the fest’s marquee occasions.)
With this current, you’re providing an unforgettable expertise — a possibility for indulgence, exploration, and schooling. It’s an opportunity on your giftee to search out their new favourite wine, uncover their subsequent go-to restaurant, find out about tradition and delicacies, and make new foodie mates and recollections that may final a lifetime.
Moreover, Charleston Wine + Meals is a nonprofit group. By shopping for a ticket, you’re boosting the Charleston financial system, nurturing rising expertise, supporting native companies, and guaranteeing town’s meals and beverage neighborhood will proceed to develop and thrive for years to come back.
In different phrases, it is a scrumptious funding and a present you possibly can actually be ok with giving — even when the recipient simply occurs to be your self.
This text is sponsored by Charleston Wine + Meals.
