For 20 years, Charleston Wine + Food has been throwing the party of the year, bringing together chefs, winemakers, storytellers, foodies, and oenophiles from around the world for a five-day, multi-venue festival celebrating the culinary scene of Charleston and highlighting the talent and diversity of its food and beverage community.
Next year’s event takes place March 5–9 (tickets are on sale now!) and features a first-class, purpose-driven program packed with à la carte events ranging from parties to workshops, tastings to tours — plus immersive experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Highlights of the Lowcountry
With lunches, brunches, dinners, and parties taking place at venues across and beyond the peninsula — from Johns Island to Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant to Isle of Palms — Charleston Wine + Food offers a unique lens through which tourists can see (and sample) some of the city’s standout spots. It also presents the perfect excuse for Lowcountry locals to hit the town.
Kick off the 2025 fest with The Vinyl Party at Groovers Listening Bar, where music will be paired with Martinis for a multi-sensory experience. At Mex 1 Tacos + Tequilas, you can enjoy that classic combo while sipping Margaritas at a surf-inspired beach bar. Or sign up and sit down for an exclusive farm-to-table experience at the HERD Provisions Signature Dinner, an event showcasing locally sourced ingredients that truly embodies the festival’s commitment to sustainability.
And that’s just a sample of the curated experiences being hosted at local establishments around town.
If you’d rather experience a smorgasbord of food, drink, and fun in a single location, grab your tickets and make your way to The Culinary Village. Next year’s bustling food-and-drink fair will be at Johnson Hagood Stadium, where top-notch caterers from across the city will be cooking up specialty Lowcountry small bites that you can enjoy with a wide selection of wine, beer, and even spirit-free samplings the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the fest.
Of course, the three-and-a-half-hour experience extends far beyond eating and drinking. Converse and connect at book signings and meet-and-greets. Catch a glimpse behind the curtain (and into the kitchen) with on-site demos featuring star chefs. Roam the stalls of local artisans and score fresh and tasty souvenirs at the farmers market. Enjoy live entertainment including music, culinary competitions, and stand-up comedy.
And at some point, be sure to grab a glass and get down on the dance floor to local and regional musical acts. This is a party, after all.
Where local focus meets global flavors
Who needs a plane when you’ve got a plate? Done right, food and drink can be truly transportive, and the focus of Charleston Wine + Food extends far beyond traditional Southern fare. Instead, organizers have taken a global approach, highlighting the diversity of the city’s culinary scene while demonstrating how cuisine can cross borders to forge meaningful connections among cities, countries, and cultures.
Following Fat Tuesday, hit Friday’s One Night in NOLA, a signature event serving Gullah- and Creole-inspired fare designed to showcase the rich culture and bold flavors of both Holy City and the Big Easy. Ditch the forks for a literal hands-on dining experience at Kultura’s Kamayan Feast, where you’ll sample Filipinx-American cuisine — traditionally served on banana leaves and consumed sans utensils — in a communal setting courtesy of the food genre’s rising chefs. Or embark on an edible excursion like Street Eats – El Viaje, a tasty tour highlighting the hidden gems and holes-in-the-wall that comprise Charleston’s Central and South American food scene.
Each of these experiences presents an opportunity for your taste buds to travel the world from within the city limits. Appetite essential; no passport required.
Workshop ‘til you drop
Along with recognition, sustainability, and philanthropy, the fourth pillar of the Charleston Wine + Food is education — featuring seminars that highlight culinary techniques demonstrated by local industry, promote culinary traditions, and create new networking and skill-building opportunities for attendees.
These workshops are designed to inform and inspire (including a selection of seminars proudly supported by VinePair).
For example, Fast Food + Fine Wine is where you’ll go beyond the classic drive-thru question, “Do you want fries with that?” to discover which bottle of wine pairs best with your burger. Also on tap: Let’s Negroni, an in-depth exploration of the iconic, century-old cocktail that contains just three ingredients but infinite possibilities. Or check out Chill Out (with Red Wine), where you can learn about the bev trend that’s been taking wine bars by storm while sipping on a selection of today’s hottest (coolest) reds.
Forget visual learning. Here, it’s all about the taste test. And no matter which topic you choose, you’re sure to walk away a little bit wiser — with a very pleased palate.
Gifting a good time
With the holiday season in full swing, we suggest you forgo the sweaters, give up the gift cards, and stuff your loved ones’ stockings with tickets to a Charleston Wine + Food event instead for a meaningful, experiential gift.
Events are individually ticketed and range in price, so you can select the option best suited to their tastes and your budget. (And if you want to splurge, there’s The Weekender Bundle, which includes a VIP Culinary Village experience and access to two of the fest’s marquee events.)
With this present, you’re offering an unforgettable experience — an opportunity for indulgence, exploration, and education. It’s a chance for your giftee to find their new favorite wine, discover their next go-to restaurant, learn about culture and cuisine, and make new foodie friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Additionally, Charleston Wine + Food is a nonprofit organization. By buying a ticket, you’re boosting the Charleston economy, nurturing emerging talent, supporting local businesses, and ensuring the city’s food and beverage community will continue to grow and thrive for years to come.
In other words, this is a delicious investment and a gift you can really feel good about giving — even if the recipient just happens to be yourself.
This article is sponsored by Charleston Wine + Food.
The article Experience the Tastes and Talent of the Lowcountry at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival appeared first on VinePair.