More than 100 winemakers and producers representing every major wine region in the world joined dozens of award-winning chefs from May 14 to 18 on Nantucket Island for the 27th anniversary of the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. Scores of wine and food devotees from around the globe gathered for sips and insights into some of the world’s most interesting and exceptional vintages, along with other spirits and beautiful bites prepared to match.
From as far away as New Zealand, Lithuania, and Chile, through Spain, Italy, and France, to California and Oregon, and back home to New England, the oenologists and culinary masters came to play. There were oysters and wine, champagne and caviar events, and seminars on specific wine regions and grapes. There were Opus One and Châteauneuf-du-Pape dinners hosted in private homes, a St. Tropez Rosé brunch, a champagne clambake, and even a “Stargazer’s” cocktail event at the renowned Loines Observatory, sponsored by Taylor Fladgate.
On the food side, we enjoyed lobster canapés garnished with caviar, oysters topped with cherry blossom mignonette, Iberico ham, roasted salmon tacos, Middle Eastern-spiced swordfish skewers, and juicy Wagyu burgers grilled on-site by KOW, an Iowa-based cattle company. Chefs like Andrew Chadwick of Chatham Bars Inn, Jacob Mendros from Prima Boston, Johnny Sheehan from Salt in Plymouth, Mass., as well as chefs from Nantucket- and Boston-based eateries and establishments representing NYC; Mendoza, Argentina; Ensenada, Mexico; and Bordeaux, France, filled out the days’ menus with their international culinary magic.
The large-format events—including four Grand Tasting sessions, the opening Gala, and a barbecue-themed evening—took place beneath a massive, floored tent in a vast field at bucolic Bartlett’s Farm, about a 7-minute Uber ride from downtown. Located on the island’s south shore, the picturesque land has been farmed by the same family since the early 1800s.
For those familiar with the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festivals of years past, both the Gala and Grand Tastings were reminiscent of the events once held at Rosecliff or Marble House. Rows and rows of wine and food producers lined the tent as guests shuffled from one to another, glass in hand. Depending on your palate’s pleasure, you sipped, nibbled, and learned. Though the Grand Tastings were removed in recent years from the Newport program, they’re alive and well on Nantucket—which stands to reason, since Nancy Bean, Nantucket WFF’s fearless leader who thwarted a hostile takeover of her event following its highly successful 2024 season (her 12th as owner/operator), was once an organizer for the Newport festival.
Fighting for her event’s jurisdiction, Bean lost months of valuable planning time this year but managed to pull off a successful festival despite it. Much of that success is due to her longstanding reputation as an excellent steward of an event launched in 1996 by Dennis Toner. Bean was Toner’s right-hand woman beginning in 2007, purchasing the event from him in 2013.
“I didn’t give up,” she told Newport Buzz after the successful lawsuit that put the future of her festival squarely back in her hands. “I put my battle gloves on,” she said—and according to many in attendance, scored a KO.
Among the veteran winemakers pulling for her was Cushing Donelan from Donelan Family Wines out of Santa Rosa, CA. Donelan was a panelist for “Pinot Noir Around the World,” among other events, bringing levity and a gorgeous, bright Pinot from Mendocino to his presentation.
“We’ve done close to 20 years,” he said after the event. “It’s always something we’ve supported because our family has always been wash-ashores, with a presence on the island since the ’80s. It was on Nantucket that my father fostered his love for wine—starting his wine journey in the restaurants on the island.”
“Every year is a little bit different in terms of venues and locations,” he continued. “But we felt that the last couple of years have become more elevated and dialed-in in terms of organization and execution. It was kind of strange when all the hoopla happened, but I was pleased with this year, given the short timing Nancy and her team had to pull this off—and how well they were able to do it. I believe she delivered.”
The goal of the event—which carries significant expense for the winemakers and purveyors participating—is to attract guests who are interested in wine and excited about learning and discovering new producers and new regions. “As producers, that’s what we want to do. These events tell our story,” Donelan said. And he’s not just telling it to experts.
“The beauty of the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival is the beauty of having a Nantucket scalloper next to a CEO, next to an entrepreneur who created the software we’re all using. All the people I met were on different parts of their wine journey, but all were enthusiastic. And the feedback I got from everyone was all positive.”
“Drawing 4,000 attendees, Nantucket’s Wine & Food Festival marks the awakening of our island for the new season,” Bean said. “We were beyond honored to host this iconic event. Cheers to another year of great wine, great food, and excellent company.”
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