Taste of Rhode Island is a delicious celebration of Rhode Island’s great food, local spirits and live entertainment. Hosted by Pat Paolino, Pat Cruz Events and Lupe Aguilar, Rhody Foody, more than 50 of the state’s best restaurants, bakeries, caterers, wineries and breweries will be showcasing their offerings. More info to be announced soon.
- Entertainment and Special Guest Appearances by local celebrities.
- VIP area with Exclusive Champagne and Tastings.
- Special Raffle and Silent Auction benefiting MAE Organization for the Homeless.
See last year’s highlights here.
Sunset Wine Party is hosting an inaugural New Canaan event: a festive, upscale wine tasting evening at the Country Club of New Canaan. All net proceeds benefit Filling in the Blanks, a local nonprofit which supports area children experiencing hunger by providing them with meals on the weekends. Sunset Wine Party was created by Connecticut-based wine connoisseur, Paula Alonso, who wanted to share her passion for wine while raising money for important local causes. Filling in the Blanks was founded by mothers and community activists, Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer, who created the nonprofit as a way to bring together their community, children, food and charity. The nonprofit provides weekend meals to children in need who are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program. Thirty-plus wines from retailer DB Fine Wines are to be showcased, plus food, music and more. Presenting Sponsor: DB Fine Wines; Magnum Sponsor: BMW of Darien; and Super Sponsors: Elements Medical Aesthetics and Rock, Paper, Scissors Custom Events.
Join Brescome Barton for its second spring tasting event for trade accounts and beverage professionals. The movie-themed event featuring wines, spirits, beers, mixers, ready-to-drinks and more. This event is for trade only. Contact your sales representative for more information or RSVP to education@brescomebarton.com.
Join the team from Worldwide Wines at La Plage Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Westport for a Spring Fling portfolio tasting featuring 2022 rosés and spring-themed wines. This is a trade-only event: contact your sales representative for more information. RSVP to Worldwide Wines’ Paul Burne.
The 17th annual Taste of Westport will take place at The Inn at Longshore on May 10, 2023. Guests will enjoy diverse cuisine from multiple local venues paired with wine and signature cocktails set to live music by The Bar Car Band. Proceeds will benefit CLASP, a nonprofit organization working to provide housing and opportunities for adults with autism and developemental disabilities in Fairfield County.
MARC Community Resources, in partnership with Liberty Bank will host its annual fundraiser at the historic Saint Clements Castle in Portland on May 11. The tasting event will feature over 15 wine, beer and spirit distributors, a silent auction, live music, passed hors d’oeuvres and stir-fry stations. Sponsored by Liberty Bank, A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists, Lotus Behavioral Health, M & T Bank and Sammy’s Buy-Rite Liquors, proceeds will benefit MARC Community Resources, a nonprofit organization dedicated to provide assistance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with housing, employment, social and community services.
The 12th annual Rising Pint Brewfest returns to Rentschler Field on May 13, with beer from more than 50 craft breweries on tap for guests, along with eats from popular food truck vendors, including Big Bad Wolf, Chompers, The Big Cheese, Hop Häus, Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza Shop, Big Enzo’s BBQ and Plan B Burger Bar. Bands Booyah and Live Bait will play live music throughout the event. Proceeds will benefit The Reach Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing assistance to children who are in need, physically, socially and financially through programs, advocacy and more. Event is 21+. No children or pets. Rain or shine, no refunds.
Opici Family Distributing of Connecticut will host a Spring Portfolio Tasting for accounts and trade guests. The Connecticut division carries wines and spirits from around the world representing over 300 producers and 1,600 different types of fine wine and spirits. This is trade only event. Please contact your sales representative with any questions.
WHAT: Stonington Vineyards will host its annual Kick-Off to Summer Weekend with plenty of Stonington Vineyards wine. Guests will receive a glass of Stonington Vineyards wine with their tickets and access to each day’s festivities, which will include music from The Fake Experience Trio from 1-4 on Saturday and Ben Freiert & Jeff Lewis from 1-4 on Sunday. Vendors (more to be announced): Valomie Boutique; Home Prep Products; Caramel Apple Lady; Moon Child Scented Candles; Walking Tree Creations; Dreaming Light Creations; Walking Tree Creations; Lisa Maree Designs; Salt & Stars Jewelry; with food from Sixpenny Oysters; Rolling Tomato; Supreme Hot Dogs (20th only); and Spicy Fusion among offerings. Event is outdoors, rain or shine. See more information and to purchase tickets here. See highlights from 2022 here.
The Thread City Hop Fest, a food and craft beer tasting event will take place on at Jillson Square in Willimantic on May 21, 2023. Attendees will enjoy samples from more than 55 breweries from throughout New England. This event is rain or shine. Organized by the Willimantic Brewing Company on behalf of Willimantic Renaissance, Inc., proceeds from the Hop Fest benefit The No Freeze Project, Willimantic Renaissance, Inc. and Vulturetown Arts. Event is 21+. No children or pets allowed.
