Charleston Wine and Food Festival

Food brings people together. Charleston is very aware of the impact a little good hospitality and a delicious meal can have on tourists. The Charleston Food and Wine Festival is one week a year where people can gather around food and good hospitality and that’s what Charleston is all about.

The Charleston Wine and Food Festival, a nonprofit organization, shines a spotlight on Charleston’s culinary and hospitality community. $9.6 million was raised last year and 92 cents of every dollar goes to some sort of missions.

Each aspect of the festival is a well-oiled machine showing off the best Charleston has to offer.

Upon entering the culinary village at the festival, guests are greeted by an overwhelming amount of scents and sights of food and wine. Each dish is intricately plated and ingredients complement one another with little effort.

The Rosé Garden (photo by Grace Samuelson)

Station after station is stacked on top of one another, people lining up around the corner to have access to the next food station. A Rosé lounge provided the perfect relaxation zone, whereas the Artesian Market provides an easy one-stop-taste-and-shop experience.

While the culinary village is the perfect place to relax with friends for the day, it’s the special events that provide a unique experience.

Charleston Wine and Food offers dozens of different excursions to local restaurants throughout the day.

Brunch at the Obstinate Daughter, a special dinner at Circa 1886, Rosé tastings, oyster roasts or even paddle boarding excursions are only a few of the special events offered. Although each one costs a little extra, the experience is well worth the cash.

Some food stations in the Culinary Village (photo by Grace Samuelson)

Nassau street turned into a country saloon Friday night of the festival. Guests wore their best country attire—blue denim jeans and cowboy boots. Low country “low and slow” barbecue greeted guests at the venue, paired with various types of beer.

If country isn’t your style, maybe an elegant Pinot Noir tasting with 15 different chef stations is a better place for you.

“We gather around food and good hospitality,” said Laura Hewitt, winner of the Culinary Legend Award this year. “that’s what Charleston is all about.”