In its sixth year, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival , which runs June 2-5, has announced several new additions and changes that promise to make the 2016 edition of the acclaimed Southern culinary gathering the most ambitious and exciting, yet.
Perhaps the biggest wow is a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. pop-up Vineyard in the City in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. Inspired by the McGuigan Wines Dublin City Vineyard, it will provide a backdrop for Masterclasses, evening events, Sunday brunch and other programming, all located in a meadow near 14th Street that's being landscaped with grape vines and mature trees. After the Festival, the Vineyard will become a destination for restaurant and music pop-ups and other community events, through June 30.
Credit: Bob Townsend
Credit: Bob Townsend
Also of note, a new Tasting Tent location in the Greensward area of Piedmont Park that includes a more secluded setting with green space and gathering areas, and a new Friday evening tasting session, Friday Night Bites, plus easy access from the Piedmont Park parking garage near Monroe Drive and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Curated tasting areas will include a Southern Provisions tent with all sorts of regional goodies, and the new Live Fire Tailgate hosted by Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, with chefs preparing meats, fish and veggies on smokers and over open fires for guests to sample.
Other new interactive elements include a pick-your-garnish cocktail garden, a farmers market, and a bourbon-sipping Southern porch party hosted by writer Jennifer V. Cole, who will chat with a series special guests.
More Food & Wine events and experiences this year:
Kick off Party — This year's kick-off party, dubbed Destination Delicious, and presented by The Local Palate, will take guests on a virtual road trip through some of the South's top food and drink destinations, with a preview of what's to come.
Masterclasses — This year's new series of Masterclasses will offer expanded learning experiences through two-hour sessions delving into topics from in-depth wine pairings led by master sommeliers to a class on rare bourbons and country hams. Masterclasses complement the additional 80 classes that will take place over the weekend, all designed by the Festival's Advisory Council.
Brunch — Again this year, the Festival's Advisory Council and friends will join forces to host a Southern Sunday brunch with live music and tableside service. And this year's brunch program has been expanded to include a VIP brunch in the Vineyard.
Watch List — For the fifth year, the Rathbuns' Watch List party presented by ADAC will merge a group of up-and-coming interior designers, chefs and mixologists, who will collaborate on the build-out of a special space with food and drink to match.
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