The 23rd annual celebration of wine, food and culture hosted over President’s Day weekend
Presented by Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the 23rd annual Boston Wine Expo returns to the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center over President’s Day weekend (February 15 and 16, 2014). One of the country’s first and most respected celebrations of wine, food and culture, this year’s lineup includes sips from international vineyards, culinary tastings, reserve lounges and VIP experiences, interactive seminars, celebrity chef demonstrations, exclusive winemaker dinners, and more.
GRAND TASTING:
The Grand Tasting gives guests a global adventure in a glass. Whether your palate prefers a full-bodied pinot noir, buttery chardonnay, an elegant cabernet sauvignon or a dry pinot grigio, the 2014 Boston Wine Expo will bring the biggest, boldest and best flavors from the vine to the Seaport District. Featuring over 200 wineries – and 1800 wines – from around the world, oenophiles will travel through the expansive space, sans passport, swirling and sipping their way to “connoisseur” status. Along the way, there will be culinary attractions including bites from popular Boston restaurants and dueling Celebrity Chef Stages that will showcase the talents of New England’s most renowned chefs. There is also the Social Media Lounge, located in the center of the Grand Tasting floor, which gives guests a birds-eye view of which wines attendees “like” best via mobile app streaming.
Early Bird Tickets (November 1-30) – Saturday: $85 per person; Sunday: $75 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1-14) – Saturday: $95 per person; $85 per person
*Tickets include a souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
VINTNER’S RESERVE LOUNGE:
The Boston Wine Expo’s Vintner’s Reserve Lounge is the ideal setting for serious wine enthusiasts looking to sip their way through rare and expensive vintages. Located in the property’s private Plaza Ballroom with live entertainment, the Vintner’s Reserve Lounge gives guests a chance to spoil their taste-buds with these unique varietals, retailing for over $75 per bottle, while enjoying tastings from the city’s finest restaurants.
Tickets: $185 per person
*Tickets include access to wine samples from over 25 top-rated wineries, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
VIP EXPERIENCE:
With crowds of thousands per day, the VIP Experience package allows guests to bypass the line forming along the Boulevard of Flags and whisks you inside to the main event. After availing yourself of the VIP coat-check, toast with some bubbly and get to exploring all the Boston Wine Expo has to offer. Hit up the VIP Experience Lounge on the Grand Tasting floor to refuel and stock up on essentials like coffee, snacks and (more) wine while lounging on plush sofas. When you’re good and ready, depart with an upscale gift-bag filled with exclusive products.
Early Bird Tickets (November 1-30) – Saturday: $135 per person; Sunday: $125 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1-14) – Saturday: $145 per person; $135 per person
*Tickets include VIP line privileges, complimentary coat-check, an upgraded souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass by Riedel and complimentary glass of champagne, gift-bag, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
SEMINARS:
The Boston Wine Expo’s highly regarded educational programs for both consumers and those in the trade feature top winemakers and industry experts. With over 30 topics ranging from food and wine pairings, “Wine 101,” regions and vertical tasting flights of the world’s most sought-after grapes, class is now – deliciously – in session.
Tickets: Prices vary $25-65 by seminar
CHEFS & WINEMAKER DINNER SERIES:
Aside from New England’s top culinary talents who will host cooking demonstrations and tastings at the event, the Boston Wine Expo also will showcasethe Winemaker Dinner Series. Winemakers will team up with some of the city’s best chefs to celebrate evenings of perfect pairings for lovers of both food and wine.
Tickets: Prices vary by dinner
And, as always, sipping at this event has a special cause. The major charitable benefactor of the Boston Wine Expo is the Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities. To date, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists has raised over $1.3 million for worthy causes.
The Boston Wine Expo will take place at The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center on February 15 and 16, 2014, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This event is reserved for ages 21+. Tickets go on sale beginning November 1 and are available by visiting: www.wine-expos.com/buytickets. Weekend tickets and group tickets are also available, as well as dedicated trade industry hours.
The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center is located at 200 Seaport Boulevard in Boston, MA. For directions and more information, please visit: www.seaportboston.com.
ABOUT THE BOSTON WINE EXPO:
Founded in 1991 by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the Boston Wine Expo has grown into one of the most well-known and respected wine events in the country. Over $1,200,000 has been donated to local charities by the Guild including Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities – the major beneficiary. Over 27 local charities have benefited from the Expo over the event’s history. Other organizations that have received considerable funding include the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s Pan Mass Challenge and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. For more information, please visit: www.wine-expos.com.
