Sun Wine & Food Fest 2019 Expands into Earth Expo Center

The 16th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest took place at Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville during the weekend of January 24-27. On January 25, a bourbon tasting in the new Earth Ballroom featuring a variety of fine bourbons and whiskies was hosted by Beam Suntory, along with craft cocktails from Chango Rosa and food provided by Bear’s Smokehouse. A Grand Tasting Preview on January 25 and Grand Tasting Event on January 26 in the casino’s new Earth Expo & Convention Center featured more than 1,000 brands of beer, wine and spirits along with food from local restaurants, and the Celebrity Chef Dine-Around event. Guests had a chance to sample more fine wine and spirits during the Vintage Cru event in the casino’s Earth Ballroom, which was hosted by Chef Bobby Flay. Approximately 7,000 people attended the four-day festival and a portion of the proceeds benefited the Channel 3 Kids Camp charity.

: Over 1,000 brands of wine, beer and spirits were featured at Mohegan Sun’s 16th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest.

: The 2019 Sun Wine & Food Fest was hosted at Mohegan Sun’s new Earth Expo & Convention Center.

: Melissa Canfijn and Sarah Darby, Promotions Manager, both of Allan S. Goodman.

: Brescome Barton’s Cara Passerelli, Account Development Manager and Will Longo, Zone Manager.

: All from CDI: Kassandra Bayles, Human Resources Assistant; Steve Tommessilli, Account Development Specialist Multi-Cultural; Macy Engengro, Sales Representative, New England Division; and Kristin Ferrara, Sales Representative, Diamond Division.

: P.J. Aliseo, Business Development Manager, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Joe Verrilli, Field Sales Manager, Anchor Division, CDI; Bryon Thayer, Field Sales Manager, Anchor Division, CDI; Garrett Fardelmann, State Manager, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Collin Baldwin, Account Development Specialist, Anchor Division, CDI; and Mike Harrelle, Account Development Specialist, Anchor Division, CDI.

: All from Hartley & Parker: Steve Fanelli, Key Account Manager; Demetra Modeen, Key Account Manager; Jackie O’Keefe, Key Account Manager; Brian Martin, Sales Representative; Angelo Culmo, District Manager; Donna Schweder, Sales Representative; Kristy Romano, Associate Sales Representative; and Michelle Elliott, Sales Representative.

: All of Highland Imports except where indicated: Craig Ventrice, Spirits Portfolio Manager; Giuliano Parolin, Owner, Parolvini Wines; Oliver Mackinnon, Owner; Antonio Delle Donne, General Manager, Global Wines; and Jamie Clemente, Sales Manager.

: All from Latitude Beverage Company for 90+ Cellars: Darchell Wilson, Account Manager CT; David McNulty, Connecticut State Manager; and Brian Hutcheson, Account Manager.

: Sasha Williams and Bruno Ceniccola, Owner, Piu Facile Imports.

: All from Slocum & Sons: Jennifer Goldenthal, Sales Representative; Aaron Taylor, Sales Representative; and Ashlynn Taylor, Sales Representative.

: All from Worldwide Wines except where indicated: Emily St. Amand; Matt Wimberger, Regional Manager; John Algieri, Sales; Philip Orazietti, Area Manager, Palm Bay International; and Skye Orazietti.

: All Brand Ambassadors for Allan S. Goodman: Angela Meyer, Jackie Bishop, Doug Carley, Melissa Kjellquist and Becky Edwards.

: June Cerrito, Brand Ambassador and Paul Fede, Co-founder, Gooseneck Vineyards.

: Conrad Meurice and Kaitlin Rodriguez of Bear’s Restaurant Group created cocktails during the Bourbon Tasting presented by Beam Suntory and Bear’s Smokehouse.

: A cocktail featuring Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whiskey.

: Leo Reizfeld, Principal, Got Attitude Vodka.

: Mike Burkinshaw, Cellarman and Katie Brown, Cellar Helper, both of Half Full Brewery.

: Justin Carlson, Taproom Bartender, Grey Sail Brewing.

: Kayla Hedman, Brand Ambassador, Revival Brewing Co.

: Scott Bauer, Division Sales Manager, Craft Brew Alliance pouring for Cisco Brewers.

: Pat Amarone, Sales Manager, Stony Creek Brewery.

: Maurice Sutton, Guinness.

: Alejandro López, Founder & President and Fabian Lopez, Manager, Toma Craft Cocktail Mixers.

: All from Fishers Island Lemonade: Bridget Robbins, Brand Ambassador; Josh Quinn, Territory Sales Manager and Annina Foran, Brand Ambassador.

: Joe Darigan and Jackie Darigan for Two Roads Brewing Company.

: Josh Hernandez, Metro NYC Manager and Laura Markais, CT/RI Manager New Belgium Brewing.

: The Sun Wine & Food Fest Vintage Cru event on January 26 featured fine wine and spirits, and a special appearance by Chef Bobby Flay.

: Todd Anderson, Owner/Winemaker, Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards and Natalie Oliveros, Proprietor, Podere Bellavista.

: Shaheen Marcello, National Sales, Regal Wine.

: Stephen Morocco, Founder, Tepoz Tequila, which is triple distilled from 100% blue Weber agave.

: Luis Suarez, Regional Manager, Jackson Family Wines highlighting Freemark Abbey Cabernet and Il Fauno.

: Dimitrios Zahariadis, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery served craft cocktails featuring Litchfield Distillery Bourbon Whiskey, Vodka and Gin.