The first weekend in October is going to be all about wine and food on Bainbridge Island, and event organizers want everyone who loves either to join in the fun.
The second Bainbridge Wine Weekend is scheduled for Oct. 1-3, and has different events each day, depending on what kind of mood you’re in.
Organizer Kim Hendrickson is also trying to make sure all of Kitsap County knows they are invited and welcome to the event.
“I want to make this something that is for the whole county, not just Bainbridge Island,” she said. “I would love to capture the people who are not regularly supporting the restaurants on Bainbridge Island.”
Going with the supporting Kitsap County theme, the event is organized so that local winemakers are the focus of the three-day event.
Seven wineries operate on the Island, and according to Hendrickson two won awards at this year’s Northwest Wine Summit — one placed “double gold” at the Seattle Wine Awards. So why not celebrate them, right?
“The point of it overall is to showcase what’s happening with our wineries on the Island,” Hendrickson said of the event. “It’s a celebration of the wine and food scene.”
The weekend is set up so that people can pick and choose which events they want to attend. Those who know they want to hit up all three days, can buy a three-day pass, while others can choose to pay for the respective events they hope to attend.
Those who don’t want to pay anything at all can come to the free Friday night salsa concert and street party in the historic Marina District.
Those looking for white wine that evening can try the local Muscadet-style wine paired with the Island’s very own “Port Madison Petite” oyster. A tasting of Island vintner’s whites will be held at Pegasus. For a $50 ticket you are given unlimited tastings and food.
Those preferring reds can try the Syrah and sliders and Doc’s Marina Grillon. The tasting features big red wines (Syrah and otherwise) from Island wineries and savory burgers from Doc’s. Unlimited sampling of food and wine is $30.
Saturday will cater to diners wanting to try a “roving restaurant” experience. Wine and food pairings will be offered at Four Swallows (entree and dessert) and Hitchcock Restaurant (apps). Wines from Eastern and Western Washington will be available. The price for this event is $125.
The final Grand Tasting, is Sunday in the Bainbridge Performing Arts theatre. Wine will be offered from ten area wineries with music provided by Bluefish Tango. This event is $35.
Through the weekend Hendrickson hopes people are able to connect with Kitsap’s winemakers, so they can learn about the difference between wines grown in Western Washington versus those in Eastern Washington. She also hopes they come out and have a blast.
“We’re small, this isn’t Taste of Washington, so come and talk to the winemakers,” she said.
Tickets and information are available on the festival website: islandwineweekend.com. It’s strongly recommended to buy tickets in advance.
The package price for the four main weekend events is $240. Hotel packages are also available. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and the Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance.
