Greetings!
Over the past 11 years the Nantucket Wine Festival has blossomed into one of the region's most celebrated wine and food events. This year's event will be staged entirely in the heart of downtown Nantucket, making all the events within walking distance, including the Festival's most celebrated event - the Grand Tasting.

Premier of Plum TVs latest film, Coming of Age
A tour of some of Spain's premier wineries and restaurants. Starring Nantucket Wine Festival gastronomes Denis Toner and Mark Donato, and featuring Jorge Ordonez of Fine Estates from Spain. Wines from some of the featured wineries will be served along with delectable appetizers. A great way to start your weekend. - Wine and Food Seminars.

Opening Reception
In 2008, the Festival begins with an Opening Reception on Wednesday, May 14th, where the Nantucket community greets winemakers and sips elegant flutes of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. Music by Nantucket guitar virtuoso Jim Sulzer. See the - Receptions and Special Events. page for more detail.

Luncheon Symposia
The Nantucket Wine Festival is proud to announce a major shift in our symposia program. Due to popular demand for lunches to follow the symposia, we have decided to initiate a series of three great wine symposium/luncheon events at some of Nantucket's best addresses. The program will unfold with a one-hour symposium featuring 2-8 distinguished winemakers, who will lead a discussion of their wines with the assembled guests. Each of these events will be limited to 50-60 people, thus retaining the intimacy and scale that distinguishes our festival. Immediately after the symposium, the guests will be treated to a four-course luncheon of superb cuisine featuring the wines of the guest winemakers. All three luncheon symposia will take place on Friday, May 16th, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. See the Luncheon Symposia page for more detail.

In addition to the Luncheon Symposia, the Nantucket Wine Festival hosts the following events:

The Grand Tasting
The focal point of the Nantucket Wine Festival is the Grand Tasting, at which more than 150 of the world's great wineries will be pouring their wines. Again this year, the Grand Tasting will be held at the Nantucket Yacht Club, a Nantucket landmark built in 1870. The expanded space at this South Beach Street location should please our guests and exhibitors alike. There will be four two-hour sessions of the Grand Tasting on Saturday, May 17th, and Sunday, May 18th. Whether you attend two sessions or all four, this is a must-see event. See the Grand Tasting section for times, prices, and more detail.

Wine and Food Seminars
We've set up a series of events so that you can learn from the leaders of the food and wine industry in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. Among the many events planned: a cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Damian Sansonetti of Bar Boulud. For the list of events, see the Wine and Food Seminars section.

Great Wine in Grand Houses
Exquisite wines will be tasted with the guidance of experts in rarely seen surroundings at these special tastings that are limited to a maximum of 20 people. Tastings require two hours of time. Punctuality is requested. Ticket price varies. See descriptions under the Great Wine in Grand Houses section).

The Gala
Sample great food from some of Nantucket's great restaurants and the culinary offerings of special guest celebrity chefs, and enjoy delicious wines presented and served by their winemakers, at the Nantucket Wine Festival Gala. The gala will be held at the White Elephant Hotel on Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 pm. Features a Silent Auction benefiting the Nantucket Historical Association. This is sure to be the event of the season! Tickets are $175. See the Gala section for more detail.

Celebrity Chef and Wine Auction Dinner
A spectacular dinner will be held at the White Elephant, followed by an auction of rare wines, large-bottle formats, and lifestyle packages, on Saturday, May 17th, at 7:00 pm at the White Elephant. The Auction benefits the Nantucket Historical Association. Tickets are $250 per person. See additional detail under the Auction section.

Winery Lunches and Dinners
Nantucket is nationally known for its concentration of distinctive restaurants producing delicious fare. Many of the island's best chefs will be devising prix fixe dinners created to showcase the wines of the host vintner. Reservations should be made, and times should be confirmed, directly with the restaurants by calling the telephone numbers shown on the Winery Lunches and Dinners list.