Annual Festival Celebrates  Fruit of the Vine, Incredible Chefs & Artisans From Near and Far

Jeff Walker, Restaurant Review

If you love wine, if you love food, if you love craft beer, and more importantly if you love having a good time celebrating all three than I would make it a point to take part in the annual Charleston Wine & Food Festival taking place Thursday March 2nd  thru Sunday March 5th. Now in it's 18th year the Charleston Wine & Food Festival has become one of the Lowcountry's signature events, drawing attendees from around the country. 

You don't have to be a wine connoisseur or even a foodie to enjoy the festival. There's something for everyone in 2023. Among the new additions this time around is the family friendly Charleston Street Fest taking place Thursday on Ann Street just off King Street. Plenty of kid friendly activities to go along with a bevy of food trucks and a beer garden. Plus live music and Charlie the Riverdogs mascot will be on site for photo ops.

Of course the main entree if you will of the festival is the three day Culinary Village taking place at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Now in its second year in the north area after being held previously at Marion Square, the newer location provides four times the space allowing for more vendors and more room for patrons to enjoy libations, food, and live entertainment, tucked nicely along the Cooper River.

The Culinary Village is a smorgasbord of delights including simple snack shacks to a bevy of food sampling from local, national, and international chefs. Additionally there's a Beer Garden (craft beers from all over), Corkyard (a wine lovers paradise), and an Artisan Market for those who love to shop. Alongside great food and drink will be many live cooking demonstrations. Just for the social aspect the Culinary Village is something you don't want to miss.

The Street Fest and the Culinary Village are just two easy access events that take place over the four days. However, if you're seeking more intimate events surrounding wine tasting, brunch, lunch, or dinner than there is a whole lot happening all over the greater Charleston area with a majority of the restaurants partnering in the festival found on the peninsula. Many signature events have been sold out, but there are still tickets to several. For a full schedule of events visit https://charlestonwineandfood.com/schedule/

The Charleston Wine & Food Festival folks are going all out, not overlooking a single detail in 2023. Attendees arriving at the airport on Friday will be greeted with an 'enjoy the weekend toast'. Those living and staying in downtown Charleston can enjoy a shuttle to Riverfront Park. From wine pros to craft brewers, from renowned chefs to food purveyors, and from eco-friendly farmers to imaginative craftsmen, Charleston Wine & Food Festival targets a wide range of food & beverage areas as well as vendors that have mass appeal. It's a wonderful collective of industry types joining together to promote an upscale yet casual festival.

The festival's passion doesn't come without a mission. As their website so eloquently declares the festival's platform is meant to share stories, elevate the people in this community, celebrate the Lowcountry, and create an enriching experience for the people who live and work here, with 95 cents of every dollar spent producing the festival having a direct measurable impact on the Charleston economy. Proceeds well spent! 

Come for the wine, come for the food, come for the craft beer or just pick and choose one of the signature events. Contact your BFF's and make a whole day of it. Visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChsWineandFood/
For all things Charleston Wine & Food visit https://charlestonwineandfood.com/