Wine & Food Week 2017 in The Woodlands Preview

Wine & Food Week 2017 held in The Woodlands, Texas, will be in its 13th year and is always popular among the wine, craft beer, and food lovers in the area. The multi-day event is hosted by Food & Vine Time Productions and will feature 75 chefs, hundreds of winery representatives, a multitude of featured restaurants, all while enjoying some of the best food and more than 500 wines from across the globe. Events run from Tuesday to Saturday and attendees can select which events they wish to attend.

This year, Wine & Food Week welcomes Emmy award-winning TV chef, restauranteur, and author, Lidia Bastianich, as its Wizard Gourmet Master of Ceremonies. The theme for this year is “Inspired! Flavors” and celebrates food from all over the globe and the city.

“We are extremely proud to bring Wine & Food Week back to The Woodlands this year for another exciting week of festivities,” said Constance McDerby, founder of Food & Vine Time Productions. “The people of the greater Houston area, and especially The Woodlands, have been such wonderful supporters of Wine & Food Week since we began back in 2004 and we couldn’t be more grateful for their genuine enthusiasm over the years.”

Constance continued, “Our partners – the very generous people at H-E-B, along with our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, chefs, restaurants, wineries, distributors, venues, and charities are the reason why we do what we do, and we can’t wait to show the people of our great city this year’s lineup of extraordinary food and sips! Whether you’re an all-out oenophile or are just getting your wine legs, there’s an event (along with wine and food!) for everyone at Wine & Food Week.”

This is a listing of the events for the week:

Tuesday, June 6 – It’s a Guy Thing

• Location: Mercedes – Benz of the Woodlands
• Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• Cost: $25.00
• Event description: Big bold wines and craft beer will be available to satisfy every taste to wash down the delicious fare from featured restaurants. More is available during the night for all to enjoy.

Wednesday, June 7 – Women, Wine and All Things Fashionable Girls Night Out

• Location: The Woodlands Country Club, Palmer Course at 100 Grand Fairway
• Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Cost: $25.00
• Event description: Ladies, women, and all females will step into their feminine side and enjoy a night out with their friends at Women, Wine & All Things Fashionable. The event is a girls’ night out including fashions, vendor displays, food, wine tasting, and music.

Thursday, June 8 – H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street

• Location: Market Street in The Woodlands
• Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Cost: $20.00 – $35.00
• Event description: One of the most popular events at Wine & Food Week will be held along Market Street. Enjoy a wine walkabout with your keepsake glass while listening to the island sounds from Kelly McGuire. The 34-acre Market Street becomes a festival-like atmosphere with guests enjoying wines from around the world, food sampling and demonstrations, and an offering of Chef selections.

Friday, June 9 – Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Panel & Luncheon; Sips, Suds & Tacos

• Ladies of the Vine Tasting, Panel & Luncheon
  • Location: The Club at Carlton Woods Main Club House
  • Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $85.00
  • Event description: In the elegant setting of an Italian-style villa, guests can join a panel of women winemakers, owners, and experts as they guide the audience behind the bottle. The event is always a sell-out and this event allows intimate, first-hand experience with some of the most knowledgeable and fun ladies in the industry.
• Sips, Suds & Tacos
  • Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
  • Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $20.00
  • Event description: Wine and craft beer sampling and the aromatic tacos will be served for the Taco Take-Down. Guests will choose their favorite taco while the judges choose theirs and restaurants and chefs compete for the coveted Taco Takedown Trophy. Enjoy live music and dance the night away to the sounds of an energetic mariachi band through 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 10 – Platinum Wine Vault Ultra Premium Tasting; Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase

• Platinum Wine Vault Ultra Premium Tasting
  • Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
  • Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Cost: $250.00
  • Event description: An exclusive tasting where participants mix and mingle with experts well-versed in the finest of wines. It is a luxurious affair with highly acclaimed wines for discriminating collectors and enthusiasts.
• Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase
  • Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
  • Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $125.00
  • Event description: The “Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase” presents guests with the opportunity to slip into their finest clothes and be in the company of serious wine enthusiasts and outstanding culinary talent. Guests can enjoy chef demonstrations, over 500 wines, and food from 60 restaurants.
• VIP Experience – Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge and Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting Combo
  • Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
  • Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Cost: $175.00
  • Event description: Wine & Food Week celebrities, wine experts, leading area chefs, authors, and food judges flow in and out of the area while all sipping the premium wine selections. All upgraded VIP guests will be greeted with a large keepsake wine glass and top-of-the-line wine selections that aren’t on the general tasting floor.

Special hotel deals are available at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, and other hotels throughout the area. If attendees do choose to drive themselves, plenty of parking is available.

To purchase tickets, book a hotel room, sign up to volunteer, and for more general information, please visit www.wineandfoodweek.com.

Photos courtesy of Wine & Food Week