Originated in the mid-’80s as part of an island-wide promotion to attract visitors and stimulate Hilton Head’s food and beverage industry in the early spring shoulder season, the Hilton Head Wine + Food Festival has since evolved into a highly anticipated celebration akin to a rite of passage in this ever-alluring Sea Island destination.
The festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year at a new location, the luxurious meetings-capable Sea Pines Resort, and will feature an impressive lineup of world-class vineyards, local and regional celebrity chefs, culinary experiences, live entertainment and array of visual and performing artists.
“The 30th anniversary of the Hilton Head Wine + Food Festival will see increased programming and a more universal appeal, as the festival moves to Sea Pines Resort,” says Paula Magrini, the festival’s marketing and partnership director. “For the pearl anniversary, we are listening to the feedback of our longtime attendees, as well as looking at culinary trends to create a weeklong experience that will better position Hilton Head as a culinary destination. Return attendees will still find the foundational events, such as wine tastings and seminars, nightly vintner’s dinners, the formal grand tasting event and the public tasting on Saturday, but will also enjoy a schedule of events that includes a golf outing and designer show home tours, allowing us to better showcase the island’s best features and amenities.”
The festival kicks off with the annual International Wine Competition early next month. A panel of judges made up of Certified Sommeliers, Advance Sommeliers and Certified Wine Educators will choose the wines to be presented at the main event, running from March 9-14, 2015.
Drawing more than 5,126 total attendees with over 60 percent coming from out of town, the festival’s approximately $4.5 million in visitor economic impact includes 67 percent of visitors staying on Hilton Head longer than three days and 41 percent spending more than $300 daily on lodging and meals.
