HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (December 11, 2012) – The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival now in its 28th year, attracts wine enthusiasts from all over the country and wineries from all over the globe. This event is one of the largest outdoor, internationally judged wine events on the East Coast. The judges come from all over the country and are all accredited either through the Society of Wine Educators or by the Court of Master Sommeliers, including esteemed Master Sommelier, Brett Davis from Louisville, Kentucky participating as a leading judge. The festival is one of the largest outdoor wine events on the east coast, and one of the few in the country with an international wine judging component. Nearly 1,000 wines were entered in the 2012 competition, with wine entries from wineries and wine makers from around the world.

Wine entry information and details can be found online at hiltonheadwineandfood.com or through the EnofileOnline web site at enofileonline.com. All entries and payments made online before December 31, 2012 are $39 per entry. After January 1, 2013 all entries received online are $49 per entry. Any entries received offline or via mail add an additional $10 per entry. All payments and entries must be received by January 20, 2013 in order to be judged.

The dates for the 2013 Festival will be March 4 -9, 2013. The Great Chefs of the South Wine Dinners will take place at various restaurants and locations on Hilton Head Island, Monday March 4 through Saturday, March 9, 2013, details and pricing to be confirmed. The Grand Tasting and Silent Auction will be held on Friday, March 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Sea Pines Country Club. The Wine & Food Festival and Silent Auction will be held from 12 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. Additional information and tickets can be found at hiltonheadwineandfood.com.

The pre-festival events include, Uncork the Festival on Friday, January 26, 2013 from 6 – 8 p.m. at The Beach House, A Holiday Inn Resort, tickets are $35 per person, with the International Wine Judging and Competition, Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27, 2013 at The Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, located in Palmetto Dunes. The Judging will take place on Saturday, January 26 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Sabel Ballroom. The Saturday and Sunday Wine Judging and Competition event is not open to the public. Save up to 20% on advance ticket discounts to the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival through December 31, 2012, with Saturday, March 9, 2013 regular ticket price $50 – advance purchase available on-line for $39.99. The Grand Tasting & Silent Auction discount tickets are available for purchase at $80 per person through Dec. 31, 2012, $90 regular price. In addition, group ticket sales are available for the 2013 festival (for groups of 10 – 25), ticket information is available at events.admitoneproducts.com.

The 2013 Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival’s Silent Auctions benefit educational opportunities for students in the Hospitality programs of study at the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Technical College of the Lowcountry through the John F. and Valerie Curry scholarship fund. The 2013 Festival is presented by The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa and The Local Palate Magazine is premier media sponsor.

Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, P.O. Box 5097, Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

hiltonheadwineandfood.com or (843) 686-4944