Uncork adventure in a glass
Boston Wine Festival returns to Hub for 31st year
There’s something indulgent — even romantic — about tasting wines and learning the magic that goes into making each vintage. Add spectacular food, a stunning Boston setting, and you’ve got yourself one sensational close-to-home escape.
The Boston Wine Festival, which kicked off Jan. 10, is off and running for its 31st year. Held at the Boston
Harbor Hotel (and with special deals for staying overnight after attending any of the many wine events), the Festival is ready for those who love wine, want to learn more about it, and fine food aficionados.
Founded by Boston Harbor Hotel chef Daniel Bruce, who still oversees every small detail of the events, the Festival kicks off with a gala reception and then runs through March 27 with special din
ners and events that pair wines, food, history, stories and, in some cases, even music.
If the opening event is an indication, this year’s festival will be a corker. Hundreds packed the Boston Harbor Hotel ballroom, moving from station to station, sampling wines and noshing on everything from braised chicken thighs to primo pasta. Staff roamed through with passed hors d’oeuvres as well. The room was buzzing with talk of upcoming wine dinners.
“One of the wine dinners that I am really looking forward to is the S.A. Prum dinner on February 13,” said Bruce. “This is the fourth time that Raimund has hosted a dinner at the Boston Wine Festival, and is the only 100% white wine dinner of this season.”
Bruce said host Raimund Prum is a close friend of his (Bruce’s daughter worked the harvest for him this past season and worked at the restaurant Prum and his wife, Pirjo, own in Finland). “He has become a close friend of mine over the years because we share a common interest over wine and food. For those who enjoy German wines, this is the only opportunity to attend a dinner representing this region in this year’s festival,” he said.
Other upcoming dinners of note each have their own unique spin.
On Jan. 22, the Tolaini dinner features Pier Luigi Tolaini, who immigrated from Italy to Canada and started what became the largest trucking company in Canada. He then returned to Tuscany to build a winery that now produces highly acclaimed wines at a good value. This Tuscan winery also practices sustainable farming to protect the environment.
On Jan. 23, the Wine and Soul dinner brings in Sandra Tavares da Silva, the most recognized woman in a male-dominated industry in Portugal. She was the winemaker for Cristiano van Zeller, who was the first Portuguese winemaker to host a dinner at the Boston Wine Festival.
“Sandra is very familyoriented, and is deeply connected to the soil, being an avid gardener in addition to winemaker and tender of vines,” Bruce said..
And on Feb. 21, the Miner Dinner is hosted by David Miner, an avid musician with a passion for guitars. His uncle was a founding partner of Oracle, which he honors via the name of their signature wine. He also enjoys the wilderness and has a ranch in Montana,
meaning he loves to talk nature as well.
There are many more singular dinners, along with brunches, a Mediterranean reception and more. You can see all the details, as well as ticket prices and purchasing options, at bostonwinefestival.net.
The Boston Harbor Hotel is offering deals as low as $275 for rooms the night of events you have tickets for. The hotel’s rooms overlook the harbor, the city and the ever-growing Seaport district.
Exploring the world via wine and food is, for Bostonians, just a quick jaunt downtown — to the Boston Wine Festival.