Washingto DC International Food & Wine Festival Feb 10-13

[Nola_Palomar]

Are any of my fellow Berserker Cellar Rats going to be there? Juan will be there, I think we are Booth 313.

[alejandra_anderson]

I was about to post a thread about DC Intl Food and Wine fest, too bad you wont be there Nola.

[WBeck]

Not attending. Attended 3 or 4 years in a row, but gave up two years ago. In my view, it is a poorly orchestrated wine event. Way too many people, too expensive for what you get, and more distributors than wineries (and a real disservice to the wineries when the distributor can’t even tell you where to purchase the wines they distribute, which seemed to be a common occurrence at this event). A few years ago, they didn’t even offer water, although that was somewhat improved the last time I attended. My recommendation, save your money and attend Wine Enthusiast’s Toast of the Town which is scheduled to be in DC in May (I think). We went last year for the first time and will be going again this year. It costs twice as much as the International Food & Wine Festival, but is far better all around…better wine selections, less crowded, good food…it’s well done.

[RDHudak]

What is the cost?

[Nola_Palomar]

I copied this from their website. http://www.wineandfooddc.com/Grand.html
Grand Tasting 2:00pm-6:00pm
General Admission - Saturday only $85
(After February 5th - $95)
General Admission - Sunday Only $75
(After February 5th - $85)
Two-Day Pass $140
(After February 5th - $150)

Food Pavilion $35*

Local Chefs partner with exhibiting wineries in this exclusive area just
off the floor of the GRAND TASTING where they will be serving tasty
samples of regional cuisines.
Food Pavilion ticket holders will enjoy all this, plus opportunities to meet
and mingle with top winemakers.
*General Admission ticket purchase is required for Food Pavilion upgrade.

@WBeck

Not attending. Attended 3 or 4 years in a row, but gave up two years ago. In my view, it is a poorly orchestrated wine event. Way too many people, too expensive for what you get, and more distributors than wineries (and a real disservice to the wineries when the distributor can’t even tell you where to purchase the wines they distribute, which seemed to be a common occurrence at this event). A few years ago, they didn’t even offer water, although that was somewhat improved the last time I attended. My recommendation, save your money and attend Wine Enthusiast’s Toast of the Town which is scheduled to be in DC in May (I think). We went last year for the first time and will be going again this year. It costs twice as much as the International Food & Wine Festival, but is far better all around…better wine selections, less crowded, good food…it’s well done.

Did you attend as an exhibitor or attendee? Just curious. I hope there are a lot of distributors, that’s what I am looking for!
I don’t know about last year, but this year they have a shop on premise where the exhibitor can sell their wines to the attendees. To me this is a plus for both parties!

[WBeck]

Nola, I am a consumer. I have no association with the wine industry…other than liking the product. Having a shop for the exhibitors to sell their wines is certainly a plus. They did not have anything like that in the years I attended. I hope the event proves to be fruitful for you.

[Howard_Cooper]

@WBeck

Not attending. Attended 3 or 4 years in a row, but gave up two years ago. In my view, it is a poorly orchestrated wine event. Way too many people, too expensive for what you get, and more distributors than wineries (and a real disservice to the wineries when the distributor can’t even tell you where to purchase the wines they distribute, which seemed to be a common occurrence at this event). A few years ago, they didn’t even offer water, although that was somewhat improved the last time I attended. My recommendation, save your money and attend Wine Enthusiast’s Toast of the Town which is scheduled to be in DC in May (I think). We went last year for the first time and will be going again this year. It costs twice as much as the International Food & Wine Festival, but is far better all around…better wine selections, less crowded, good food…it’s well done.

Attended this a couple of times a few years ago and completely agree. It was an awful event for all the reasons you said, plus a few.

[Nola_Palomar]

Well for us the Washington Food and Wine Festival turned out to be a huge success. Juan and Alejandra poured our wine at the entrance of the show as well as, participated in a Food and Wine Pairing with one of the Chefs from the restaurant Cure Bistro. The end result is we got a new distributor for Virginia, DC and Maryland, as well as inquires from several others and sold out all the Veleta wine they had available in the on premise wine shop. Hopefully the attendees came out with the same impression as we did.

[Steve_Sliger]

@Nola Palomar

Well for us the Washington Food and Wine Festival turned out to be a huge success. Juan and Alejandra poured our wine at the entrance of the show as well as, participated in a Food and Wine Pairing with one of the Chefs from the restaurant Cure Bistro. The end result is we got a new distributor for Virginia, DC and Maryland, as well as inquires from several others and sold out all the Veleta wine they had available in the on premise wine shop. Hopefully the attendees came out with the same impression as we did.

very cool, great to hear! who did you sign with?