Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival

From Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival Website:

Although the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival began just 6 years ago and was involuntarily suspended in 2011 as a result of the vast devastation caused by Tropical Storm Irene in August, the 2012 Festival has attracted winemakers from 17 Vermont vineyards, several spirits distillers, as well as many interesting and unique marketplace exhibitors from all four corners of the state of Vermont. The scale of the event is small enough to feel like a mellow get-together with friends and fellow wine lovers, but big enough to offer a preview tasting event on the first evening, followed by two full days of tastings, food, dinners, wine parties, breakfast, and live entertainment, along with opportunities for arts, shopping, sightseeing and outdoor recreation within the venues.

On Friday night, the preview tasting of Vermont wines and cheeses is blended into a Village Stroll in the center of Wilmington. Those wanting to just enjoy the evening in the village can listen to outdoor entertainers and everyone is eligible to judge the Vermont Soup Contest. Soup samples and the ballot to vote are free. The wine tastings are $7 per person, featuring three Vermont wineries and a sampling of the Grafton Village Cheese Companys specialties, which have been handmade in Vermont since 1892.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Festival events shift to nearby West Dover, where it is tucked in beside the landmark clocktower building, nestled under the ridgelines of the 3,600 foot peak. There's just a hint of an Italian Alps feel to the setting. The gigantic Festival tents, where admission is $15 or $26 for a two-day pass, cover a huge open space that is typically buried in snow banks all winter long. It's just a few yards from the lifts at the popular Mount Snow resort. As soon as the tables and booths are set up and the decorations are complete, it becomes clear that the Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival is no ordinary event. For one thing, the camaraderie among the various growers and winemakers who come from all over the state makes the Festival feel like a great family reunion.