Over 200 wines from up to 60 Pacific Northwest wineries will be served at the 5th Annual Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival on July 25, 2020.
This year’s Festival returns to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel Ballroom in Bellingham, Washington and is produced by the Whatcom Beer and Wine Foundation.
In addition to the wineries, the event will feature up to two distilleries and one brewery from the Pacific Northwest. And for foodies: a selection of passed appetizers from Bellingham Four Points Executive Chef Bryce Lamb, as well as small plates prepared by six Whatcom County restaurants, including this year’s featured restaurant: Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery.
The Festival is unique in that it features wines from the only judged wine competition between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Medals for gold and double gold wines along with the Best in Show trophy for the top-rated wine will be presented as part of the evening’s festivities.
All of the medal-winning wines will be available for tasting during the Festival, and attendees can also order wines to purchase and pick-up or have delivered after the event.
“Each year we try to give festivalgoers more and better options,” said Foundation President, Dan Radil. “So far, the support we’ve received from both regional wineries and wine enthusiasts has been amazing. It’s really evolved into an event for wine tasters on every level, with the primary focus to provide them exposure to some of the terrific wines being produced in the area and, of course, to have fun.”
Tickets are available at three prices levels: $50 general admission provides three hours of tasting in the Grand Ballroom from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, with access to all wineries, passed appetizers, and small plates, and a souvenir wine glass; $75 VIP tickets allow for an extra hour of tasting in the Ballroom beginning at 6:00 pm as well as exclusive access to a VIP lounge from 6:45 to 10:00 pm that features appetizers and hourly rotating wine pours not available in the Ballroom.
A third ticket level, VIP Diamond, will be available for the first time this year. Limited to 30 ticketholders, the $100 Diamond level will include separate check-in with a glass of sparkling wine in a yours-to-keep Riedel stem, special appetizers, and a take-home bag with exclusive swag.
Net proceeds from the Festival will be distributed to the Foundation’s designated beneficiary organizations for 2020 including the Bellingham YWCA and Northwest Youth Services.
