Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest returns to Rhinebeck

Thursday September 6, 2012 6:25 PM By Janine Bowen

Photo credit: Getty Images | A selection of red wines is prepared for a tasting panel. (Feb. 25, 2010)

Hudson Valley residents don’t need to book a vacation to Napa to enjoy a wine tasting.

This weekend, the 11th annual Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest will take place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. Described as a “celebration of regional food and wine" by Shannon Rahe, an organizer for the event, the festival focuses specifically on New York and the Hudson Valley.

Wine tastings and wine seminars are the focus, and more than 40 different wineries will be represented at the event. You don’t have to drink, though, to have fun. Dozens of local gourmet food vendors will offer samples of their products, run cooking demonstrations and sell their culinary treats and goods.

One of the highlights of this year’s fest is a presentation by Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, reality stars known as “The Fabulous Beekman Boys.” The New Yorkers, who own a farm upstate, have had major success with their “seasonal living” lifestyle and “Beekman 1802” brands. In addition, celebrity chef Vincent Tropepe will give a cooking demonstration.

The festival will also feature some events for children, including live music, a bounce castle and an airbrush tattoo artist.

Tickets to the Wine and Food Fest, which had more than 12,000 visitors last year, are available online. They can be purchased for one or two days and range from $20 to $65 per person (discounts are given to non-drinking “designated drivers.”) Food is not included in the price of admission; tickets for food are available on site for $1 per ticket. The event will be held rain or shine.

IF YOU GO

When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9

Where: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6550 Spring Brook Ave., Rhinebeck; 888-687-2517; www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com

Price: $20-$65 per person

Tags: Rhinebeck , Hudson Valley , events , wineries