Kapalua Fine Wine and Food Festival Hawaii

Aloha

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival on June 11, 2009, the longest-running and most prestigious festival of its kind in Hawaii, celebrates 28 years of fine food and wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza!
Festival Host, Master Sommelier Fred Dame brings together world-renowned winemakers, top Master Sommeliers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for a long-weekend of daily culinary exhibitions, interactive wine tastings and evening gala events. The Grand Tasting, Kapalua Seafood Festival, In the Kitchen and Fred Dame's Rare Wines Dinner are but a few of the highlights of this trendsetting event.
I was lucky enough to be there in Maui representing Man O’ War Vineyards and Man O’ War wines were featured both at the Grand Tasting and the Seafood Festival.
The Kapalua Ritz Carlton were the hosts for the event, with Kimberly McKeon spear heading the festival and everything flowing like clockwork.

During the Welcome Party I bumped into some familiar faces of whom I met in Walla Walla, Washington a few weeks back, JF from Pepper Bridge and Chris Figgins and Heidi from Leonetti. After the function a group of us went to dinner at Merriman’s Restaurant where Cass, Merriman’s sommelier (right) filled us up with exceptional wine and we feasted on gorgeous food. Merriman’s is right on the water’s edge, a magical spot and a must visit if you are ever in Maui! Joining us for dinner were Justin Wylie and Ryan the talented wine makers from Va Piano and Catherine JF’s lovely wife - and partner in crime I later learnt!

The following day was the famous Grand Tasting down on the beach below the Ritz. Picture hundreds of lanterns hanging from the sky and tents spotted around a large area of beach front, I felt like I was in some sort of fairytale, it was a true carnival! With the sun setting over the Pacific, over 100 famed wines from around the world (including Man O' War's 'flagship' Valhalla Chardonnay, Ironclad Bordeaux Blend and Dreadnought Syrah) were poured by a collection of acclaimed Master Sommeliers from all over the USA.
Master Sommeliers included, Fred Dame Icon Cru, Constellations Wines US, San Francisco, CA. Shayn Bjornholm, Washington Wine Commission, Seattle, WA. Jay Fletcher, Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado, Aspen, CO. Greg Harrington, Gramercy Cellars, Walla Walla, WA. We are hosting a friend of Greg’s over on Waiheke Island in July which we are looking forward to! Michael Jordon (not the hoop sinking one, the vino sinking one!), Walt Disney Parks & Resorts® Worldwide, Anaheim, CA and last but not least Emily Wines from Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, San Francisco, CA.

In the Southern Hemisphere tent two Ritz staff we’re frantically promoting Man O’ War as they filled up many empty glasses of eagerly awaiting wine lovers!
I met Tim Garrard from Wine Merchants of Hawaii, which is a division of Johnson Brothers a massive distributor in Hawaii, it was interesting to hear about the Hawaiian Wine Industry. I also had the pleasure of meeting Alan Suzuki (above right) from Constellation Wines Hawaii, who I later learnt doubled as the Sheriff of Hawaii! I lost him in the crown heading to the local Karaoke Bar as I was swept away by the Walla Walla crew for drinks at one of the hotel rooms! I had a fabulous night and met Jamie Brown the wine maker for Waters winery, sampling a few of his favourite wines and got to chat more to Greg from Gramercy Cellars.

‘Psycho Pinots’ with Fred Dame and a panel of masters, wow this was a master class not to miss! A master class to make an everlasting impression on both palate and psyche with one of the oldest varieties of grapes to be cultivated for the purpose of making wines. Pinot Noir has a reputation of being a “difficult” grape for winemakers, but when perfected it has the potential to blow your mind…and taste buds!

Featured Wines: Estancia Reserve Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Lachini Family Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Hyde Vineyard, Carneros
Peay Vineyards Pomarium Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir, Sapphire Hill Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Scherrer "Big Brother" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County Williams Selyem Litton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley.

And then.. time to go home.. a quick stop off in LA to drop some Man O' War wine off to Jonathan from Vintage Point and then the long flight home to a cold 2 degrees!

Aloha,

See you soon,

Bronny