The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) will host New Hampshire Wine Week, an annual event featuring more than 60 of the biggest names in the wine world, including Dave Phinney of Orin Swift, Lisa Evich of SIMI, Cristina Mariani-May of Castello Banfi, Isiah Thomas of Cheurlin Champagne, and Michael Phillips of Michael David Winery.
The week-long celebration of wine, taking place from January 20-25, also features one of the largest wine tasting events in the country, the 17th annual Winter Wine Spectacular, which benefits Easterseals New Hampshire. The event attracts more than 1,500 guests to sample more than 1,800 fine wines. For a full list of winemakers, and celebrity appearances visit nhwineweek.com
Bringing the flavors of the West Coast to the palates of New Hampshire consumers, NHLC will host a brand new event, “Cellar Notes: An Evening of Wine and Music,” on Wednesday, January 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rex Theater, in Manchester. Along with live music in a relaxed setting, the event will feature an interactive panel discussion and tasting with Dave Phinney of Orin Swift, Lisa Evich of SIMI, Mark Neal of Neal Family Vineyards, and Craig McAllister of La Crema, as well as music from local singer/songwriter Alli Beaudry.
For more than 20 years, Dave Phinney’s innovative blends, mysterious brands and imaginative labels have earned worldwide acclaim for Orin Swift. For his accomplishments, Phinney was named 2019 Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. SIMI winemaker Lisa Evich, inspired by the science and art behind the process, works to maintain the timelessness behind the brand. Mark Neal, who maintains the largest certified organic grower in California’s North Coast, implemented organic farming for vineyards at Jack Neal and Son in 1984. Craig McAllister, after gaining extensive experience abroad, became the head winemaker at La Crema, where he further develops its esteemed collection of single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
In addition to the Winter Wine Spectacular, New Hampshire Wine Week features a selection of events taking place throughout the state. The 77 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets found across the state offer a robust selection of more than 7,000 wines, and there are hundreds of educational opportunities available each year to our customers through a variety of events and tastings, most notably New Hampshire Wine Week. New Hampshire Wine Week provides consumers with the unique opportunity to sample premium wines. Unlike other events in the region, wine lovers can purchase wines during a number of New Hampshire Wine Week events, including the Winter Wine Spectacular and Cellar Notes.
New Hampshire Wine Week wraps up with the Easterseals Winter Wine Spectacular on Thursday, January 23, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown. Along with having more than 1,800 wines for sampling, the event features delicious local fare, a silent auction and raffle, the Bellman Cellar Select VIP tasting room, and the chance to meet and learn from more than 60 internationally known wine personalities.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting cost $65 per person, and tickets providing access to the Grand Tasting and Bellman’s Cellar Select cost $135 per person. Purchase tickets: easterseals.com
The 2020 New Hampshire Wine Week participants include Appolo Vineyard, Art+Farm Wine, A to Z Wineworks and Rex Hill Winery, Battle Creek Cellars, Bellacosa, Benton-Lane Winery, Benziger Family Winery, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, Candia Vineyard, Cannonball Wines, Carpineto Winery, Casillero del Diablo, Castello Banfi, Castello di Querceto, Cecchi Winery, Chapillon, Chateau Beauchene, Chateau D’Esclans, Cheurlin Champagne, C.K. Mondavi, Cline Cellars, Cycles Gladiator, El Coto, Farnum Hill Ciders at Poverty Lane Orchards, Flag Hill Winery and Distillery, Fulchino Vineyard, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, Honig Vineyards and Winery, Innovation Brands, J. Lohr Vineyards, Klinker Brick Winery, LaBelle Winery, La Crema Winery, Landmark Vineyards, Lange Estate Winery, Maine Mead Works, Merriam Vineyards, Michael David Winery, Moonlight Meadery, Morgan Winery, Mount Peak Winery and William Hill Winery, Neal Family Vineyards, Orin Swift, Peter Paul Wines, Proud Pour, Robert Sinskey Vineyards, R. Stuart & Co. Winery, Saintsbury, Serge Dore Selections, Silverado Vineyards, SIMI, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Sweet Baby Vineyard, The Hess Collection, Trefethen, Viberti Giovanni, Vrankin and Pommery, Wente Vineyards, Winemaking Vintage Wine Estates, and Zorvino Vineyards.
We hope to see you during NH Wine Week. Cheers!
