2016 Albany Wine Fest Line-Up Announced

The Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival Wine & Dine for the Arts will be back again in January and this year’s program is bigger and better than ever before! With 14 events over the course of 3days, this festival is not only the largest food and wine festival in Upstate New York, but it’s the most exciting. 

This year’s line-up has something for everyone and will benefit Albany’s best art organizations. The downside? Tickets will sell quickly, so don’t wait to get yours. And if you’re looking to stay in Albany for the weekend, The Hilton Albany has a room for you.

Here’s a peek at the events:

Thursday, January 15, 2015 | City Hall | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

• Mayor's Opening Celebration 

Friday, January 16, 2015 | Hilton Albany | 4 - 8 PM

• Battle of the Bartenders: Manhattan Edition
• Culinary Demos on the Bluestar Culinary Stage
• Educational Seminars
• NYS Craft Beer Pavilion
• Rising Star Chef Pavilion
• VIP Fire & Ice Lounge

Friday, January 16, 2015 | 90 State Events | 8 - 11 PM

• 2016 Slider Slam, 15 Chefs competing for best sliders in People's and Judges' Choice Awards! Craft beer pairings by Brewery Ommegang.

Saturday, January 17, 2015 | Hilton Albany | 11 AM - 12:30 PM

• Chemex Cup 2016, pour over coffee paired with artisanal donuts.

Saturday, January 17, 2015 | Hilton Albany | 12 - 4 PM

• Educational Seminars 
• NYS Craft Beer Pavilion
• Rising Star Chef Pavilion
• Adirondack Appliance Signature Chef Invitational
• Battle of the Bartenders: Blood Mary Edition
• VIP Fire & Ice Lounge

Saturday, January 17, 2015 | Hilton Albany | 6 PM

• Grand Gala Reception & 6 Course Dinner 

Information on all of this and more are available here.

Wine & Dine Raises $116,000 for the Arts in 2014

The Fifth Annual Albany Chef's Food and Wine Festival:Wine and Dine for the Arts held last month at the Hilton Albany raised around $116,000 for six arts groups this year. This years recipients included: the Albany Barn, Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany Symphony Orchestra,  Capital Repertory Theatre, and Park Playhouse.

A check presentation ceremony was hosted at Yono's Restaurant in Downtown Albany this past Tuesday.

Wine and Dine for the Arts has raised  $406,000 for a variety of local arts programs since its conception in 2010.The weekend long event takes place in Mid-January and features close to 70 chef's and area eateries in a myriad of culinary events.

Wine & Dine Tickets Selling Out Fast!

The Albany Chef's Food and Wine Festival: Wine and Dine for the Arts, is the highlight of Culinary Events in the Capital Region. So it's no surprise that half of the events are already sold out, some of which have been such for weeks now.

The good news is there are still tickets available to some events however it's strongly suggested that tickets be purchased online soon to guarantee entry to any events with space.

The Mayor's Opening Celebration at City Hall on Thursday, Slider Slam and on Friday and the Grand Tasting and Gala Reception on Saturday have all sold out.

However tickets can still be purchased for Fridays Grand Tasting Seminar and VIP Reception & Book Signing. The Barista Albany competition on Saturday also has tickets for only $10.

The Friday Grand Tasting Seminar will feature 70 Innovative Chefs & Restaurants featuring a variety of food with 250 Global Wines, Spirits, and Beers for Sampling. While the VIP Reception and Book Signing will feature celebrity chef Suvis Saran.

The Barista Albany is your chance to watch the Capital Region's top coffee houses in a competion for bragging rights as Albany's Best Barista!

Grab tickets to these events while you still can! The 2014 Wine and Dine for the Arts benefits The Albany Barn, Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Capital Repertory Theatre, and Park Playhouse. Remaining tickets can be purchased online.

Wine & Food Fest Announces New Event!

The fifth annual Albany Chef's Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts will be spicing up it's event lineup with a new competition. Six of Albany's finest bartenders will battle head to head during the Battle of the Bartenders: Bloody Mary Edition!

Click here to read all about the new Battle of the Bartenders: Bloody Mary Edition Contest. Tickets for this event are still available.

Wine and Dine for the Arts will kick off Thursday, January 16th at 5:30 p.m. with the Mayor's Opening Celebration at City Hall. The majority of the weekend events will be held at the Hilton Albany with the Slider Slam at 90 State Street on Friday night. 

Purchase your tickets at www.albanywinefest.com. Complimentary parking to all festival events at the Hilton Albany is included with ticket purchase.

Wine & Dine for the Arts Gala Reception has Sold Out!

The Albany Chef's Food and Wine Fest has a good problem on its hands: no tickets left for the Grand Gala Reception! The Saturday, January 18, Reception dinner officially sold out last weekend.

Tickets are still available for a variety of events throughout the three-day festival which kicks off with the Mayor's Opening Celebration at City Hall on Thursday January 16 at 5:30 p.m. Not only does this event kick off the weekend, it's also the first major event for Albany's new Mayor, Kathy Sheehan. 

More than 3,500 people are expected to attend this years event which benefits are variety of local arts organizations including: the Albany Barn, Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Capital Repertory Theatre and Park Playhouse.

We'll have more information on the 2014 Wine and Dine for the arts in the days and weeks to come.