Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Celebrates Vermont Wineries, Food Producers and Artisans

July 30, 2009 – Wilmington, VT – Vermont wines, cheese, specialty foods and products will be celebrated at September’s 2^nd annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival in the Mount Snow area of Vermont. Hosted by the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Life Magazine, the weekend long festival held September 25-27, takes place in the towns of Dover, Wilmington and Whitingham.

The weekend long event features authentic Vermont experiences which including Bluegrass BBQ, farmer’s breakfasts and a series of popular wine pairing dinners at the Mount Snow Valley’s finest eateries in addition to the daytime outdoor festival. The Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival is a showcase for Vermont wines, Vermont specialty foods and artisans of all types celebrating the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers. Set in the backdrop of Vermont’s world renowned Vermont fall foliage; attendees will discover, savor and enjoy Vermont vintners, small specialty food producers, painters, publishers, cheese makers, potters, jewelers, chefs, photographers and farmers.

The centerpiece of the weekend is the two day outdoor festival set at the intersection of Routes 9 and 100 in Wilmington, at the former site of the Southern Vermont Garlic Festival. Some highlights of the festival include:

· A wine-tasting tent featuring 10 Vermont wineries

· Sampling of Vermont cheese and specialty foods

· Chef demonstrations from notable restaurants around the state including:

o Hemingway’s of Killington

o The Putney Inn

o River Valley Cafe

· Highlighted entertainment by Eugene Uman and Howard Brofsky of the Vermont Jazz Center and the Will Patton Trio.

· Restaurant food tent featuring local Vermont specialties from Vermont Smoke & Cure, Vermont Cheese Council, Skinny Pancake and the Chelsea Royal Diner.

· Book signings with Vermont authors

· Presentations by the Vermont Cheese Council and Vermont Grape and Wine Council

Schedule of weekend events:

Friday September 25th:
"Welcome to Vermont Blue Grass Party and BBQ" with the Jim Flynn Trio and BBQ by Elaine Timmons Catering at the Matterhorn Inn West Dover Hours 7-11pm

Saturday September 26th:

"Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival" at juncture of Routes 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington, VT: Food, Wine, Crafts, Entertainment and Demonstrations Hours 10-5

Limited seating Vermont Wine and Cheese receptions at the Inn at Sawmill Farm with Shelburne Farms Vineyards and at the Hermitage Inn with Boyden Valley Winery. Hours 4:30-6

Vermont Wine pairing dinners at The Doveberry Inn, The White House of Wilmington, The Hermitage Inn, The Roadhouse Restaurant and Harriman's Restaurant at the Grand Summit Resort and Conference Center featuring Vermont wines and scintillating menus. Reservations required

Sunday September 27th:

"The Indigenous Vermonter Breakfast" sponsored by Vermont Smoke and Cure and hosted by the Deerfield Valley Rotary at the Dover town Hall - Hours 8-11 am

"Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival" at juncture of Routes 9 East and 100 South in Wilmington, VT: Food, Wine, Crafts, Entertainment and Demonstrations Hours 11-5

Sponsors for the festival include: Town of Dover, Chittenden Bank, Honora Winery and Vineyard, Vermont Public Radio, Deerfield Valley Energy, WKVT 92.7 Classic Hits, Mount Snow, Vermont Smoke and Cure, Vermont Vacation (Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing).

Tickets and more information are available from the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce either online at www.thevermontfestival.com or by calling 802-464-8092. Weekend packages at local inns available with promotions posted on www.visitvermont.com.

Press Contact:

Laura Sibilia

Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce

(802) 464-8092

laura@visitvermont.com