A Guide to the New Jersey Wine and Food Festival
Every year, New Jersey hosts their own wine and food festival, bringing in top chefs, dishes, and wines from the Garden State and around the world. The festival, which is held April 1st – April 3rd at Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County, boasts an exciting lineup of events over the three day weekend. All events are 21+ and are meant to have guests, chefs, and wine connoisseurs meet and experience the food and wine together in fun and informative ways. Here is a guide to the New Jersey Wine and Food Festival’s events, information, and where to buy tickets.
April 1st
Wine Cellar Dinner – Sold Out
Top Chefs and Top Wines Dinner – 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
This five course dinner is paired with boutique wines from vineyards around the globe, and served by first class chefs, including winners from Bravo’s Top Chef, Pastry Chef Marc Aumont of Gabriel Kreuther, and Chef Martyna Krowicka of Restaurant Latour. Guests may also add on a Champagne Reception from 7 – 7:30pm.
April 2nd
Pancakes and Prosecco – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Nothing starts a day off right quite like breakfast does. Guests can kick off their day by sampling different types of pancakes and other breakfast delights, including a Prosecco and Bellini bar.
Marketplace Lunch – 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Enjoy an array of lunch options served up by chefs, preparing dishes such as fresh oysters, pasta, carved meats, handcrafted cheeses, and more. Local winemakers will be serving wine to go with guests dishes.
Gruner: The Hidden Gem of White Wines – 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Austrian wine connoisseur Dieter Hubler will guide guests through the samplings of the Gruner Veltliner from the vineyard of exclusive winery, Laurenz V.
Taste of Italy – 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Italian wine expert Tony Verdoni, and winemaker Federico Cerelli share some of Italy’s best gourmet bites with guests, from olive oil to bread. The food will be paired with wines from Castello di Gabbiano.
Chef and Farmer Culinary Showcase – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
A team of local NJ farmers and chefs have paired up for guests to enjoy an authentic farm to table experience serving meats, cheeses, and produce. To pair with these delights, local winemaker Jay Turnipseed will be serving wines from Franciscan Estate and Mt. Veeder Winery. Participating chefs include Bryan Gregg from Escape, Chef Francesco Palmieri from Orange Squirrel, and Chef Jonathan Pacheco from Crystal Tavern, among others.
Italy’s Finest Wines – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Guests will spend their afternoon with the renowned Sebastiano Rosa, guest of honor and Italy’s premier wine producer.
The Creation of an Award-Winning Winery – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Husic Vineyards owners Frank and Julie Husic will take guests through the informative story of how they started their award vineyard in the hillsides of Napa from the ground up.
Secrets of the Cellar – 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
VP of Hospitality and Wine Director Robby Younes and Executive Chef Anthony Bucco will give guests an exclusive tour through the luxurious Crystal Springs Wine Cellar, while giving guests a sample of rare wines.
Iron Shaker Competition – Sold Out
Rosé and Sorbet – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
After an afternoon of sipping and snacking, guests can enjoy a lighter take on wine and dessert, while sampling different varieties of rosès and flavored sorbets.
Whiskey and Cigars – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Whiskey Master Joe Gratkowski will guide guests through the story behind one of the oldest whiskey brands in the U.S. Samples of four whiskeys and hand rolled cigars from Jimenez Tobacco Co. will also be available.
VIP Grand Tasting – 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Exclusive for guests with VIP tickets, early access to the Grand Tasting will start at 6:30 p.m. and offer entry to the Grand Rotunda all night, which will include dishes from local restaurants Restaurant Latour, Piora, and All’Onda, as well as wines, spirits and champagnes.
The Grand Tasting – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
One of the most exciting events of the weekend, the Grand Tasting brings together over 25 world class chefs from NJ and NYC, along with top wineries and distilleries from around the globe. In addition, a 32-piece Orchestra will be performing. Restaurants include Ninety Acres at Natirar, Maritime Parc, Hotel du Village, Terre a’ Terre, Osteria Morini, Villalobos, Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastro-Lounge, Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Lunello, The Bernards Inn, Striphouse, Brick Farm Tavern, BURG, Spuntino Wine Bar, Hamilton Pork, Redux, Andre’s, Mishmish Cafe, Axia Taverna, and Char Steakhouse, among many others.
Meet The Chefs and Winemakers After Party – 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
After The Grand Tasting, guests can meet their favorite chefs and winemakers all while dancing the night away. An open bar will be provided for the event, as well as a late-night buffet, music and special entertainers to captivate party-goers.
April 3rd
Champagne Brunch – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
End the weekend of food and wine with more fun. Guests can enjoy a buffet brunch of carved meats, cheeses, eggs, pastries, and more.
Check out the Crystal Springs website for full information, prices, and to see which chefs, restaurants and wineries will be attending the festival. Eat, drink, and be merry!
