Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Popular interest in local, sustainably grown food is undeniably on the rise. What a felicitous moment for the Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival, a production of the Edgartown Board of Trade that aims to popularize and promote sustainable, locally grown, food, as well as to advance tourist traffic beyond Columbus Day weekend.
"People are increasingly understanding the connection between food and the planet's health, and human health," said Sarah Leaf-Herrmann, the festival director. "In our busy lives, I think any way you can improve your choices at the grocery store or at a restaurant, it's helpful. It's step by step. We're trying to have an equal balance of education and entertainment."
The festival schedule boasts an impressive list of seminars, tastings, celebrity chefs, dinners, and on Saturday, Oct. 18, two wine and food feasts for $500 a plate.
Photos courtesy of Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
This year's guest of honor, Margrit Biever Mondavi, vice president of Cultural Affairs at Robert Mondavi Winery, who with her late husband started the Mondavi wine label in the 1970s, is considered one of the pioneers of the modern-day California wine industry. Ms. Mondavi will co-host the Festival Opening Reception on October 17, and a dinner entitled, "Food, Art and Wine," on October 18 with noted Wine Historian Nina Wemyss.
Ms. Mondavi is a friend of Ms. Wemyss, who attended the festival last year and enjoyed her time on Martha's Vineyard so much she encouraged Ms. Mondavi to come along. Ms. Mondavi is "looking forward to seeing the boutiques and galleries," on Martha's Vineyard, said Ms. Leaf-Herrmann.
This is the second year that the Food and Wine Festival is being held. The farmers' market on the last day of the festival is new, and Ms. White said she hopes it will work to include more families, and add a broader appeal to the local community.
The festival opens on Friday, Oct. 17, at 5 pm with a reception at the Martha's Vineyard Museum entitled "Small Plates from the Grill Grates." Ms. Wemyss and Ms. Mondavi will pour a selection of vintages and share stories from the world of winemaking. There will also be a dinner at Atria that night hosted by Michael Brehart from Duckhorn Wine Company from 7 to 10 pm.
The following day, in galleries and restaurants throughout Edgartown, culinary experts will present seminars. On Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 pm, the Martha's Vineyard Museum will host the Grand Tasting. Island chefs, including Kevin Crowell of Detente, Christian Thornton of Atria, and Anthony Saccoccia of The Grill on Main will demonstrate dishes prepared with local, in-season produce, meats, and seafood, and cookbook author Cathy Walthers will conduct a book signing.
Also on Saturday are unusual events on Martha's Vineyard - two $500-per-person dinners, one at a private waterfront home in Edgartown, the other at The Boathouse in Edgartown, will provide a celebrity chef directed feast of food and wines, along with notable guests offering their expertise and insights.
At The Boathouse, executive chef Peter Davis of Henrietta's Table in The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, will prepare an Island-grown extravaganza. Chef Davis was designated by The James Beard Foundation as one of "The Best Hotel Chefs in America." Ms. Weymss will pair each course with a selected wine and offer insights to the cultural significance of her selections. Ms. Mondavi of the Mondavi Winery will discuss her interest in uniting wine with the arts and the winery's dedication to cultural programs.
Jeremy Sewall, chef and co-owner of Lineage in Brookline, will preside over a sustainable seafood feast at an unannounced private home. Heather Tausig, coordinator of the New England Aquarium's Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series, will lead a discussion on the importance of shopping for and eating sustainable seafood. Dr. Aaron Bernstein, from Harvard Medical School's Healthy and Sustainable Food Program, will engage guests on how biodiversity affects human health.
The festival will close on Sunday, Oct. 19, with a Farmers' Market and Brunch from 10 am to 1 pm at the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Along with local produce, there will be brunch foods for purchase a la carte.
Martha's Vineyard Food and Wine Festival Schedule
For details or reservations, call 508-939-0880 or visit mvfoodandwine.com.
Friday, October 17
Festival Opening: Small Plates from the Grill Grates
5-7 pm, Martha's Vineyard Museum, Edgartown. $100
BBQ masters Andy Husbands and
Danta de Magistris serve local meat, seafood, and produce fresh off the grill. Wine Historian Nina Wemyss and Margrit Biever Mondavi select wine and share its history.
Duckhorn Wine Dinner at Atria
7-10 pm, Atria, Edgartown
Hosted by Michael Brehart from Duckhorn Wine Company.
Saturday, October 18
Grand Tasting
1-4 pm, Martha's Vineyard Museum, Edgartown. $100
Distinguished Island chefs and noted vintners team up to create a delicious and informative event.
Adventure with an Affineur
10-11 am, North Water Gallery. $60
Mark Trumble of Russo's Market offers cheeses and wines from around the world.
Beer and Cheese Pairings
10-11 am, David Ryan's, Edgartown. $60
Beer provided by Offshore Ale and Shy Brothers Farm of Westport; cheese by Santos brothers.
Chocolate and Dessert Wines
11:30 am-12:30 pm, The Christina Gallery, Edgartown. $60
Guest celebrities: wine writer Jonathon Alsop and pastry chef Lee Napoli.
Olive Oil and Bread
1-2 pm, Atlantic Restaurant, Edgartown. $40
The perfect combination. Learn secrets about how to find and use the world's finest olive oil. Hosted by Joanne Chang and Michele Topor.
Bringing Back Cocktail Hour!
5:30-6:30 pm, Harbor View Hotel. $50
Lauren Clark of DrinkBoston will lead a discussion on the lost art of making and enjoying classic cocktails.
Private Dinner
7-10 pm, The Boathouse, Edgartown. $500
Executive Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta's Table in Cambridge cooks; Nina Weymss pairs each course with a selected wine. Margrit Mondavi of the Mondavi Winery discusses her interest in uniting wine with the arts.
Private Dinner - Sustainable Seafood
7-10 pm, Private home. $500
Jeremy Sewall, chef/co-owner of Lineage in Brookline, walks diners through the process of preparing sustainable fish and shellfish. Heather Tausig, coordinator of the New England Aquarium's Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series, leads a discussion on the importance of eating sustainable seafood. Dr. Aaron Bernstein, from Harvard Medical School's Healthy and Sustainable Food Program, discusses how biodiversity affects human health.
Sunday, October 19
Farmers' Market and Brunch
10 am-1 pm, Martha's Vineyard Museum. Free
Local farmers sell their fall harvest. Guests can also purchase prepared brunch foods a la carte. The Museum offers children's crafts workshop and historic games outdoors.
For a full schedule and information, or to purchase tickets, call 508-939-0880, or visit mvfoodandwine.com. Tickets may also be purchased in Edgartown at The Christina Gallery and at the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
West Tisbury resident Sofi Thanhauser is a freelance writer and musician.
