12th Annual Sun WineFest 2015 Will be Jan 23, 24, and 25

Sun WineFest Tickets Go On Sale For 2015!!

Tickets for the 12th annual Sun WineFest at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT

Join Mohegan Sun for the 12th annual Sun WineFest on January 23, 24 & 25, 2015 and uncork a weekend full of fine wine, great food, celebrity chefs and more.

Tickets for all Sun WineFest events go on sale Friday, August 29th through Ticketmaster and the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

***Details***

The Grand Tasting
Sample over 1,000 varieties of wine and beer during Sun WineFest’s main event, the Sun WineFest Grand Tasting, on Saturday, January 24th and Sunday, January 25th. Browse your way through endless selections from Bogle Vineyards, Bravium, Winebow, Otter Creek, Harpoon and many more inside the Convention Center and Uncas Ballroom. Choice menu items from some of the region’s best restaurants will also be available for purchase including Bella Bella Gourmet Foods and First & Last Tavern.

Tickets to the Saturday Sun WineFest Grand Tasting are $90.00; tickets for the Sunday tasting are $70.00. The event runs from Noon to 5:00pm both days.

Bourbon Tasting
Get a jump start on Sun WineFest and take part in the Friday, January 23rd Bourbon Tasting inside the Uncas Ballroom. The tasting, which runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm is presented by Jim Beam and invites guests to sample a variety of fine bourbons. Dine on delectable hors d'oeuvres and round out the evening by sampling an array of cigars.

Tickets to the Bourbon Tasting presented by Jim Beam are $90.00 per person. 

Elite Cru Tasting 
Taste “the-best-of-the-best” vintages and get one-on-ones with the winemakers during the Sun WineFest Elite Cru Tasting. Learn the principals behind their craft and get a closer look into some of the finer wines Sun WineFest has to offer. This year there will be two tastings, both on Saturday, January 24th. The first session runs from Noon to 2:00pm; the second tasting runs from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Tickets to the Elite Cru Tasting are $210.00 each. The ticket price includes the Elite Cru Tasting as well as entry into Saturday’s Sun WineFest Grand Tasting. 

Celebrity Chef Dine Around 
On Saturday, January 24th guests are invited to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around to watch the masters at work. Celebrity chefs will be on-hand serving up their best recipes at several live cooking stations. Enjoy the pairing of fine wine or premium beer to match each signature dish. The Celebrity Chef Dine Around will take place inside the Uncas Ballroom from 8:00pm to 11:00pm.

Tickets are $200.00 each.

Sun WineFest Grain & Grapes Ticket Package 
Gain entry into the Friday night Bourbon Tasting presented by Jim Beam and the Saturday Sun WineFest Grand Tasting with this year’s special Grain & Grapes Ticket Package.

The package is $145.00 and includes entry into both events. 

For more information about all Sun WineFest 2015 events, featured personalities, hours and area hotel information, visit sunwinefest.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

About Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and view them on YouTube.

Mohegan Sun Wine Fest 2013

It's only natural that the place that hosts the best "Wine Wednesdays" would also host the best Wine Festival!

This weekend, I was lucky enough to attend Mohegan Sun's 10th Annual Wine Fest.  That's right! The Sun Wine Fest 2013!

This is hands down the best wine festival held in New England!

From the moment you arrive you are treated to a great experience. Not only are there loads of wonderful wine exhibitors, but there are also sponsor, restaurant, and lifestyle exhibitors! There is truly something for everyone.

And it's a three-day weekend extravaganza!  Friday night began with a bourbon tasting, Saturday and Sunday the Sun WineFest Grand Tasting. And throughout the weekend there are fun events, like Grape Stomping, Celebrity Chef Dine Around, Cooking Demonstrations, and Oyster Shucking Contests!

It's busy. Very busy. And many events or days can sell out completely so it's best to buy your tickets early. Ticket package costs vary, from single day, weekend passes, and single events. Events and days can vary from $80.00 to $200.00.  While some may find this pricey, if you are a wine lover and appreciator - it's totally worth it! You'll be able to sample GREAT WINE from EVERYWHERE!  Local vineyards, and worldwide!

Wines That Rock. 

iGourmet.com cheeses

Wine Glass Charms By Dana

BELLINI!

Happy SunWineFest attendees enjoying the Restaurant Exhibitors and Wine Sampling!

And, if you're a foodie, it's worth it too!  Don't be surprised to see Chef and TV personalities like Todd English, Bobby Flay, Robert Irving, and Elizabeth Faulkner.  Did I mention the restaurant exhibitors?  Like Jaspar White's Summer Shack! And more, more, more! YUM!

Fellow Connecticut blogger Nicole of OberBargain and I attended on Sunday and had such a great time! We were able to stroll the grand ballroom and visit with many vendors, sample some favorite wines, watch some pretty neat cooking demonstrations, and some fun contests!

Some of the highlights were the beautiful stemware featured by Bottega Del Vino Crystal whose tag line is so true!

"If the wine matters, so does the glass" 

More importantly, these glasses are completely hand made. Can't wait to try one!

One of the most popular wine tables was Brix Chocolate for Wine - and why does that not surprise me? What could be better for all the ailments of the world than a little bit of chocolate accompanied with a hearty wine?  I mean, really!

Brix Chocolate for Wine

Another of our favorite stops was watching the cooking demonstrations! We were able to watch Connecticut native Chef William Kovel, of Catalyst Restaurant, prepare Braised Shortrib of Beef, Parsnip Puree, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Burgundy Snails, and Bordelaise Sauce.

I love how the mirrored canopy allowed everyone to see the food prep on the counter and cooktop!

And each audience member was given a copy of Chef Kovel's recipe and invited on stage to taste and sample the short ribs.  All I can tell you is they were fabulous!  In addition he gave lots of great tips, and the main theme was that the sign of a great cook/chef is their ability to handle, adjust, adapt, and control the heat of their stove.

Up close and personal with Chef Kovel and tweeting for the event! #sunwinefest
Look at those shortribs and weep! So good!

The highlight of my visit to Mohegan Sun's WineFest was the Oyster Shucking Contest!  Three heats, and approximately 30 contestants each competed for bragging rights to be the Mohegan Sun's Oyster Shucking Champion 2013!

Everyone had a strategy of their own but in the end there can be only one winner, and a 2nd and 3rd place!  Ladies and gentlemen, meet the 2013 Champions!

What a great day!  What a great time!

For additional pictures visit: Mohegan SunWineFest

Have you been to the Sun WineFest?  What was your favorite part?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Disclaimer: I received entry to the SunWineFest compliments of Mohegan Sun via Connecticut Bloggers.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.