Something new is brewing at the park and surprisingly, it isn’t beer.  It’s wine!  Busch Gardens Williamsburg will open their arms and wine bottles to welcome all to their very first Food & Wine Festival in 2013!

Austrian, German, Canadian, French, Scandinavian, Grecian, Italian, Scottish, Spanish, Irish*, and Belgian* cuisines will be featured at various locations (kiosks) around the park.  Suggested wine pairings to the various food samples will be offered at each location. (See below for more details on dates, times, and pricing.)  There will also be a German Beer*, and Crepe & Coffee* kiosk as well.

In addition to the festival, the park is offering quite an array of extra wine experiences.  There will be wine tastings offered in France, Germany, and Italy, a “Wine on the Rhine” cruise, and also a very elite VIP tour for the serious wine and food aficionados out there.  Most of these will require advance booking, so make sure to visit the Busch Gardens webpage or the Tour Center inside the park to see dates, times, prices, and availability of purchase.

As a self-proclaimed wine connoisseur and foodie (A person who has an ardent or refined interest in food; a gourmet), I cannot wait to enjoy all the park has to offer this year in wine, food, and fun!

*Note:  (Above information marked with an asterisk was added to the Busch Gardens Website on 5-15-13)

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Please note all information listed below was directly found on the Busch Gardens Williamsburg website as of May 15, 2013 and therefore, event details and pricing may be subject to change.

The Food & Wine Festival basics:

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/FoodandWineFestival?from=Top_Nav

Dates:  Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 31 – June 23
Time:  11 a.m. until one hour before park closing

Admission to the festival is included with park admission, and individual tastings range in price from $3-$7.

Grape Smashers™

It’s a merry Merlot mess at Il Teatro di San Marco, where our all-new interactive grape-stomping show is a fantastically fun spin on a classic Italian tradition. Bring your friends and family and watch as our crazy cast smashes grapes. Think you’ve got what it takes to be a champion? Get ready, because you could be challenged to a stomp-off. 

Cooking Live!

Live cooking demonstrations with Chef Virginia Willis throughout the day at Il Teatro di San Marco on May 31 – June 2 and June 15 -16. See venue or park map for show times.

Food & Wine Festival Welcome Center

Situated right outside the main gate, our Food & Wine Festival Welcome Center is a one-stop information shop. Have a question about our brand new event? Ask one of our friendly hosts, or pick up a special event guide that will point you toward the closest culinary adventure. Browse culinary-themed merchandise, or register for unique experiences like wine tastings, behind-the-scenes VIP tours and celebrity chef encounters. 

Additional Food & Wine experiences to consider in 2013

Please note all information below was found on the Busch Gardens website as of May 15, 2013; event details and pricing may change.

French Wine Tasting

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/BookOnline/Extras/AllExtrasPage?from=Top_Nav

Enjoy a tasting of four French wines in our newly renovated wine bar located at La Belle in New France.  

Wine Tasting details:

• Taste (4) different French wines.
• Each sample is (1) ounce of wine.
• Learn about the wine offerings of France.
• Recieve a complimentary souvenir wine glass.
• Tastings are approximately 20 minutes in length.
• Available daily from May 24th – October 27th, 2013.
• You must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol.
• Positive proof of age is required.
• General admission to the park and parking are not included and are required.

Please arrive 15 minutes in advance to confirm your reservation.

Pass members receive a special rate by logging into the pass member area of the website. 

Cancellations: Dining reservations must be cancelled or rebooked a minimum of one day prior to the scheduled dine or total payment will be forfeited.

Food & Wine VIP Tour

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/BookOnline/Extras/AllExtrasPage?from=Top_Nav

The Food & Wine Tour offers a sampling of foods and wines from around the world. This experience will excite your palate for sure!

• Each tour will be enlightened by its own personal guide.
• Learn about food and wine pairings from various cultures.
• Experience the flavors of 6 food menu items and a choice of 3 beverages.
• Tour is approximately 3 hours in length.
• Available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 31 to June 23.
• You must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol.
• Positive proof of age is required.

General admission to the park and parking are not included and are required.

Cancellations: Tour reservations must be cancelled or rebooked a minimum of one day prior to the scheduled tour or total payment will be forfeited.

Wine on the Rhine

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/BookOnline/Extras/AllExtrasPage?from=Top_Nav

Enjoy a glass of wine served with cheese, crackers, strawberries, grapes and a dark chocolate truffle while cruising the Rhine River

• Wine choices for guests ages 21 years old include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Moscato, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel.
• Beverage choices for guests under 21 years old include water, soda or a juice pouch.

Your cruise details:

• Check in at the Rhine River Boat Docks 15 minutes prior to your selected cruise time.
• The boat will leave the docks promptly at the designated cruise time.
• The cruise is approximately 25-30 minutes in length.
• You must be 21 years of age to purchase and consume alcohol.
• Positive proof of age is required.
• The Rhine River Boat Docks are at the bottom of a hill and a steep set of steps. 
• The area is not wheelchair accessible.

Cancellations: Reservations must be cancelled or rebooked a minimum of one day prior to the scheduled cruise or total payment will be forfeited.

Park admission and parking are not included and are required.

Pass Members receive a special rate by logging in to the Pass Member area of Busch Gardens’ website.

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