34th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival – June 11 – 14, 2015
Oenophiles, gourmands and enthusiasts of the good life will once again reconvene on the beautiful western shores of Maui in celebration of the 34th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. Master Sommelier Michael Jordan hosts renowned winemakers, star-power celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Charlie Palmer and Maui’s own celebrated contingent of Culinary stars. Interactive wine tasting panels, celebrity chef cooking demonstration and tasting, spectacular evening galas under the starts all featuring world-class varietals and fine cuisine.
THURSDAY, June 11
A Master Class Introduction to Wine Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Invitation only; Industry
Local Industry Wine Trade Show & Gourmet Products Sampling
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Invitation only, Industry
Welcome Reception
Merriman’s Kapalua 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Invitation only & 4-day pass holder
FRIDAY, June 12
Festival Golf Tournament
The Bay Course, Kapalua – 7:00 a.m.
Not included in 4-day pass; sold separately
AVAs of Willamette Valley Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join some of the true pioneers and new stars of Oregon Pinot Noir for a tour of the Willamette Valley and its unique terroir. This seminar will showcase both established headliners and newest upcoming wineries.
Great Wines from Women and Vines
A Panel Honoring the Amazing Women Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The “First Annual” Women in Wine panel features some of best winemakers in the industry today – that just happen to be ladies… This girl powered panel tasting will become an annual seminar that will celebrate the women that craft some of the finest wines in the world.
The Grand Tasting – Kapalua Style
Hosted by Honolulu Star-Advertiser/HILuxury Magazine
Montage Kapalua Bay – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Featuring the world-class cuisine of the Kapalua Resort family of restaurants:
The Plantation House
Pineapple Grill
Merriman’s Kapalua
Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Kai Sushi at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Cane & Canoe at Montage Kapalua Bay
SATURDAY, June 13
ZINFANDEL – “America’s Grape Variety” Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
For years, Zinfandel has been referred to as America’s grape variety. Whether it actually was brought to the U.S. from Italy or Croatia, the very fact that Zinfandel has been grown and flourished in America for well over a hundred years qualifies it as a resident grape variety. During all of that time, Zinfandel has witnessed many different stylistic and profile changes. For this year’s festival, we have assembled a panel of today’s most celebrated producers (of old vines & heritage grape selections) to better understand where this grape variety stands.
Cooking Demonstration with Celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer & Winemaker Daryl Groom
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Long time friends and cohorts team up for a fun and feisty cooking demonstration featuring Chef Palmer’s progressive American style of cooking.
West Coast “Game Changers” Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The coastal California wine growing regions have grown meteorically in acclaim, especially over the past 5 years & deservedly so. High risk/high reward farming in these “colder sites” with configuration of the hills, elevation and proximity to the sea result in cooler growing conditions, combined with marine influenced soils, create very unique growing conditions. Thankfully, there is also a new generation of young, wine making “Turks,” who have emerged & are absolutely changing the game. Join us and travel up Highway 101 from Santa Barbara County to Anderson Valley as we visit and taste with some of the most talented young winemakers of our era!
SUNDAY, June 14
“Elusive and Exclusive” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This Seminar Features a panel of winemakers famous for producing seriously amazing “elusive” wines from the most exclusive “neighborhoods” in the Napa Valley.
Cooking Demonstration with Celebrity Chef Michael Mina
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Award-winning Chef, restaurateur and author showcases his balanced approach to cooking focusing on spice, sweetness, acidity and richness. Co-hosted by the always engaging Master Sommelier Michael Jordan.
“The Wine World of Sports” Wine Seminar & Tasting
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This Seminar brings together an amazing panel of celebrity athletes and “Hall of Famers” from Baseball, Football and Hockey – that are now driven to make extremely high quality wines from different regions of the US! Taste their best wines and “Talk Story” with them about their sports careers- and their newest passion – making “Killer Wines!” Seriously, these guys have played in Super Bowls, World Series games and the Grey Cup Championship of Hockey!
Seafood Festival
Hosted by Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua – Beach House Lawn – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
15 of Maui’s Top Restaurants showcase a seafood specialty and culinary creation in competition for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s “Best of the Fest” award. Hawaiian entertainment provided by Nuff Sedd.