The chance to sample more than 200 top-rated wines makes tickets to the Grand Tasting portion of Bern's Winefest go quick. But the annual eight-day food and wine experience, kicking off Sunday, still has a handful of worthwhile seminars and events with spaces up for grabs.
Hosted in Tampa's SoHo neighborhood, the festival venues range from the Epicurean Theatre to Haven to the Epicurean Hotel pool.
From 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 12, Dessert, Cognac & Decadence will feature Bénédicte Hardy, international ambassador for Hardy Cognac, as its special guest. Inside the Epicurean Theatre, Hardy Cognac and Valrhona Chocolates will be showcased, and guests will indulge in desserts by Kim Yelvington, executive pastry chef for the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern's Steakhouse and the Epicurean's Chocolate Pi. The tasting will include rare blends and Cognacs aged for at least 50 years.
Cigar City Brewing beer and offerings from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company are planned for the Beer and Cheese Seminar, where Point Reyes co-owner Lynn Giacomini Stray and Cigar City brewmaster Wayne Wambles will be in attendance. Hosted from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 13 at the Epicurean Theatre, the event will pair aged cheeses like Gouda, toma and Danish-style blue with one of the brewery's local craft beers.
Classic cocktails will be the focus of another Epicurean Theatre gathering between 6 and 7:30 p.m. April 15. Guests will sample drinks like the White Lady during the seminar as British born mixologist Charlotte Voisey delivers an entertaining account of the cocktail's colorful history. Voisey will demonstrate how to prepare each staple sipper, too.
For festgoers with an even bigger thirst, Haven is set to host a cocktail party, where upscale, country club attire is requested. The restaurant will transform into the Bernswood Country Club from 8 to 11 p.m. April 15, and Hendrick's Gin will be on hand.
B6, the newest Winefest event, will highlight Bern's, bourbon, barbecue, bubbles, beer and bull — as in, mechanical bull — poolside at the Epicurean. Live music by Southern Train will be featured alongside barbecue from local eateries The Smoke Shack, Holy Hog Barbecue and 4 Rivers Smokehouse; the Bern's restaurants will also dish their best 'cue. Don't miss the brews, dozen bourbons, or half a dozen champagnes, either.
