The Festival kicks off on Friday May 2 with three events: the exquisite Chef’s Garden Dinner with Chef Francis Mallmann, South America’s most famous chef, will showcase his signature open fire cooking and wines from Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon, the oldest winery in Mendoza, Argentina; the popular Top Chefs & Top Wines dinner with chefs from Bravo TV’s hit Top Chef Season 21: runner-up Savannah Miller, Fan Favorite winner Michelle Wallace, and quick-fire guru Soo Ahn, as well as Crystal Springs Executive Chef Aishling Stevens and the Restaurant Latour team; and Cabaret & Cocktails featuring a bartender competition judged by the attendees.
The New Jersey Wine & Food Festival takes place at Crystal Springs Resort (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ), New Jersey’s premier culinary destination and home to Restaurant Latour.
2025 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Schedule:
Friday May 2
7pm Champagne Reception Guests will enjoy Champagne and hors d’oeuvres with Special Guest Chef Francis Mallmann ($60)
8pm Francis Mallmann Dinner – a 5-course dinner by Chef Francis Mallmann in the Chef’s Garden paired with the exquisite wines of Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon, the oldest working winery in Mendoza, Argentina established in 1884 ($350 plus tax and service)
8pm Top Chefs & Top Wines Dinner with the Restaurant Latour team and Top Chefs Savannah Miller, Soo Ahn and Michelle Wallace ($295 plus tax and service)
8pm Cabaret & Cocktails features a mixology competition where the audience judges the drinks, performances by award-winning artists, multiple bars and an array of food ($95 plus tax and service)
Saturday May 3
11am The Art of Honey – enjoy a tasting of Crystal Springs Resort’s first honey harvest while learning about the resort’s initiative to provide habitat for our endangered honeybees, includes a dish from Restaurant Latour made with local honey and a tasting of Dolce late harvest wine from Far Niente ($35)
11am Bubbles & Brunch pairs brunch favorites with Champagne! ($55)
12pm – 3pm Marketplace Lunch highlighting seasonal creations and the best of New Jersey’s burgeoning wine scene ($50)
12pm Francis Mallmann Lunch & Book Signing – meet acclaimed Chef Francis Mallmann, learn about his culinary journey, and enjoy a wood-fired lunch ($85, includes a copy of Mallmann’s cookbook)
12pm Hats Off to Agave Spirits – enjoy agave spirits with tastings of Tequila and Mezcal while making your own cowboy hat ($50, includes hat to keep)
1pm Legends of Wine: Larry Stone – mark 10 years of Stone’s Lingua Franca winery in Oregon and taste his minimal intervention wines ($50)
1pm Chocolate & Rum – explore pairings of Brugal 1888, Colección Visionaria #2, and Maestro Reserva rums with a selection of artisanal chocolates ($45)
2pm A Perfect Pairing: Italian Wines + Local Foods – Ben Del Coro of Fossil Farms leads a tasting of local meats along with Italian wines from Fantini ($45)
2pm From Burgundy to Willamette Valley – taste a selection of Burgundy style wines led by winemaker Guillaume Large of Resonance ($50)
3pm 90+ Wines – a tasting of highly rated wines led by wine educator Michael McNelis ($90)
3pm The Perfect Gin Cocktail with Hendrick’s – taste the new limited-release Hendricks Oasium gin expression and learn what makes the perfect gin cocktail in this interactive cocktail making class ($45)
3pm Cristalino & Caviar – a pairing of 3 caviars and 3 tequilas from Cristalino plus a dish from Restaurant Latour ($150)
4pm Secrets of the Sommeliers & Cellar Tasting led by Wine Director Susanne Wagner, this tasting of wines from the wine cellar is a festival favorite ($95)
7pm – 10pm (6pm VIP Admission): The Grand Tasting is the Festival’s signature event featuring more than 200 wines from over 50 wineries and bites from 30 top restaurants ($175; VIP $350; VIP admission starts at 6pm and includes admission to the VIP room opening at 8pm, General Admission starts at 7pm).
Highlights of The Grand Tasting:
- Restaurant participants highlight New Jersey’s best including Ryland Inn, Faubourg, Fiorentini, Uproot, The Hudson Rose, Summit House, Maize Cocina & Cocktails, Halifax, 1776, Ani Ramen, Judy’s, Meximodo, Black Sheep Bar & Provisions, Blue Morel, Stirling Tavern, Osteria Morini, Andre’s, Crystal Tavern, Strickland’s Steakhouse, Rod’s Steakhouse, The Farm at Glenwood Mountain, Mike’s Pasta & Sandwich Shop, Kites, plus Terroir (NYC) and more
- VIP Experience: tastings from Restaurant Latour, desserts by Chef David Burke, premium wines and spirits (VIP 3rd floor lounge opens at 8pm)
- A wide range of wineries and Champagne houses from around the world
10pm – 1am Biosphere After Party in the Biosphere tropical pool complex with multiple bars, DJ, buffets and more ($175)
Sunday May 4
10am – 1pm Sunday Brunch ($60)
