By Jim Mikula, President/CEO
I am happy to report that the Chamber’s first ever Food & Wine Festival Preview Week was a success! Thank you, Fredericksburg and Gillespie County for your support! In seven events over six days, our wineries, restaurants, caterers, and venues really shined. Even more impressive is the talent that provided excellent experiences for the nearly 500 attendees at the collective events.
The week started with winemaking experience now named Blend It Like Becker at Becker Vineyards. Their winemaker, Jon Leahy, and GM Patrick Connelly were great hosts, and even more importantly, impartial judges. Four teams competed to be selected as the best wine for the evening. The teams even created their own labels for the wine bottles. The event was filled with lots of fun and laughter.
Women for WineSense, led by Julie Kuhlken of Pedernales Cellars, held a Taste of Texas wine dinner held at El Quincho which is owned and operated by Marisa and Max Pettit. Attendees enjoyed a five-course dinner and each course paired with a Texas wine. Rave reviews all around for this Texas culinary experience. Thank you to Elisa Chrsitopher Winery, French Connections Wines, Texas Heritage Vineyards, and Serrano Wines.
Augusta Vin and Leroy’s Tex Mex BBQ joined up for an evening of Tacos & Tannat. Augusta Vin poured a Tannat Rose, Reserve Tannat, and a barrel tasting of the next batch of Tannat. The new tasting room at Augusta Vin is comfortably elegant and the back deck overlooking the oaks is quite special. Leroy’s served three outstanding street tacos. It was hard to pick a favorite as the brisket, pork belly and chicken tacos kept folks coming back for more.
Sip Into Summer was hosted by the Elements Hospitality at their Hill Country Herb Garden Restaurant and Spa. Herbalist Lauren Peterson shared three of her special recipes at the summer garden cocktail class. Who knew herb infused ingredients could create such a palate explosion! You might want to find out what she will create next. Just visit her at the bar inside Hill Country Herb Garden.
The culinary businesses at Elk & Main: Six Twist, Oro Bianco, Ocotillo Chocolate and Feast & Merriment put on a culinary adventure with the Sip + Savor at Elk & Main event. Attendees enjoyed champagne, sparkling wine, delicious gelato, and world class chocolate. Feast & Merriment prepared the perfect food to pair with wines. If you haven’t been to this culinary destination on Main Street, you’re missing out!
The Saloon at the Albert Hotel started Saturday off with Boozy Brunch. The ham and egg sliders were par excellence, and the pastries were superb as well. Mike Bolick and his culinary team have curated two exceptional culinary experiences on Main Street in two memorable and historical buildings.
Preview week concluded with a crescendo – the first Fredericksburg Quesoff at Grand Central on Milam’s Big Yard. A family friendly event, eight competitors shared their best queso and attendees voted for their favorite. The winner was…wait for it…Leroy’s Tex Mex BBQ! Several competitors proved once again that Texas Style BBQ Brisket goes with just about anything. Thank you to Hill+Vine, Hondo’s, The Saloon, Belly Up Brew Pub, Fresh Pickens, Chef McCary, and Chef Aguirre for treating the crowd to diverse and excellent queso!
For the Chamber, the biggest reward was seeing so many of our neighbors at the events. Up next: the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival October 25-26, 2024, at Markplatz. Get your badges at www.fbgfoodandwine.com.
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