Charleston Winter Wine Festival 2023 - A Food & Wine Lover's Paradise

Exploring Charleston's Premier Wine Event

As the cold weather moves in each year, Charleston comes alive with spirited events to keep locals and visitors entertained. One of the most popular annual attractions is the Charleston Winter Wine Festival, held every January across multiple days. For wine enthusiasts and foodies alike, it's an event not to miss!

A Charleston Institution

The Charleston Winter Wine Festival has become a local institution since its inception over two decades ago. What began as a small gathering of wine vendors has transformed into one of the Southeast's most exciting wine events. Some of the country's best wineries converge in Charleston to offer tastings and sell bottles of their most prized vintages.

The festival has also become a highlight of Charleston's thriving culinary scene. Leading local restaurants and caterers provide gourmet bites and dishes featuring seasonal ingredients to perfectly pair with the complex wines being served. It's a food and wine lover's paradise spanning several blocks of historic downtown Charleston.

Titillating the Senses

The Charleston Winter Wine Festival takes place over the course of three days. The Friday night launch event kicks off the festivities by presenting rare and expensive wines not commonly available to the public. High-end bottles from Napa Valley, Italy, France, and beyond make this an evening of pure indulgence.

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday with Grand Tasting events at Marion Square. More than 200 wines from major vineyards around the world are available for sampling. With so many different varieties and styles to choose from, you can challenge and expand your palate. It's also a great opportunity to discover new favorite wines.

Pairing with Local Cuisine

No wine festival is complete without delicious food to accompany the drink selections. The Charleston Winter Wine Festival excels at gourmet food pairings by incorporating homegrown South Carolina talent. Popular local restaurants like Magnolias, High Cotton, and Cypress set up adjacent to the Grand Tasting events.

Dishes like smoked gouda mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and pecan crusted chicken provide iconic Southern comfort foods. Elevated versions of regional specialties perfectly complement the complex red and white varietals at the festival.

Plan Your Charleston Wine Adventure

Make plans for an extended weekend visiting Charleston to fully experience this premier wine festival. Start checking area hotel rates and availability once event details are announced each fall. Most attending the Grand Tasting sessions choose to walk or take a rideshare between nearby hotels and Marion Square.

Be sure to purchase tickets early once they go on sale, as the event typically sells out quickly. Both single-day passes and full weekend packages are available. For the Friday specialty tasting, limited VIP tickets provide early access along with an exclusive food and wine pairing reception.

Wine Festival Insider Tips

Once your Charleston Winter Wine Festival itinerary is set, consider these pro tips for making the most of your experience:

• Wear comfortable shoes. With multiple tasting stations and event areas to navigate, you'll be on your feet most of the time.
• Pace yourself. The festival spans an entire weekend with hundreds of wines. Take small sips so you can taste as many as possible.
• Have snacks between tastings. Palate cleansing bites of bread or cheese keep your tastebuds sharp.
• Take notes. Jot down the names of your favorites so it's easy to grab bottles before leaving.
• Bring a backpack or tote bag. Purchasing wine is made easy with storage to simplify transport.

Explore Beautiful Charleston

As you're planning your visit to Charleston for the winter festival, make time to explore this charming Southern city as well. The historic downtown area is eminently walkable, with pretty parks and harbor views around every corner. From landmark Rainbow Row to the sprawling Angel Oak, there is plenty to experience beyond the wine.

The city also boasts a vibrant food scene alongside top-notch cocktail bars to keep the good times flowing after the sun goes down. Check out award-winning Husk for an upscale dining experience focusing on regional ingredients. Or grab late-night drinks immersed in old-world ambiance at Belmond Charleston Place's iconic Bar & Lounge.

With an action-packed itinerary of wine sipping, cuisine sampling, sightseeing, and more, the Charleston Winter Wine Festival is so much more than just another stuffy wine event. It's the perfect chance to take in the very best that both Charleston and its surrounding vineyards have to offer.

FAQs

Where does the Charleston Winter Wine Festival take place?

The main Grand Tasting events are held at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. The Friday evening rare and reserve tasting occurs at a separate venue.

How much are tickets to the festival?

Ticket prices vary based on the event and package selected. Daily Grand Tasting passes start around $90. Full weekend and VIP tickets cost more but come with added perks.

Can I purchase wine to take home?

Yes! Many vendors at the Grand Tasting offer bottle sales so you can order cases of your favorites to ship after the festival.

What is there to do besides drink wine?

The festival features gourmet food vendors and restaurants offering wine pairings and light bites. There is also live music and entertainment throughout the event.