Old Town Food & Wine Festival in Alexandria, Virginia

Feels like forever ago we did a piece about the Charleston Food + Wine Festival, resulting in one of our most successful posts. And why not? The festival is a big dot on the culinary map, visited by hundreds of thousands every year. What I mean to say is: it didn’t really need our encouragement.

Today we’re getting behind a brand new festival hosted in another of our favorite cities. Start your travel planning today and let’s help make the Old Town Food & Wine Festival in Alexandria, Virginia another epicurean smash.

From October 9-11, the Old Town Food & Wine Festival will take over Alexandria’s historic Old Town along King Street for a three-day exaltation of Virginia’s steadily growing culinary prominence.

This is a fest with a mission. Virginia wines have been gathering a lot of critical acclaim in the past few years, and the organizers want people to know it. From pairing dinners to street-side tasting to the grand tasting rooms, you’ll have every opportunity to discover why Wine Spectator Magazine named Virginia “America’s most promising emerging wine region.”

Arrive early and try to make time for everything. The main attraction is the two Grand Tasting Rooms, hosted at the Holiday Inn Alexandria – Historic District and the Crowne Plaza Alexandria Old Town. This is your chance to meet the winemakers, taste artisan wines and sample gourmet accompaniments until you’re stuffed or plastered, whichever comes first. The Holiday Inn also hosts several seminars, from wine tasting classes to cooking demonstrations. View schedule.

Variety is great, but nobody wants to stay cooped up in a ballroom all day. Hit the (Old) Town for the King Street Sip’n Stroll. In this unique attraction, the wine tasting continues all up and down historic King Street. Restaurants, boutiques and art galleries will host short sessions from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Finally comes the Vintner Dinners. Several Old Town restaurants have prepared special wine pairing menus showcasing the best of their kitchens and, of course, exquisite Virginia wines. You’ll need advance reservations for these dinners, and price varies by the venue. View the restaurant list here (we like Bistro on First).

And even after all that, if you still need more, well, you’re in Alexandria, Virginia. There’s so much to see and do: Mount Vernon, the Torpedo Factory Art, the Alexandria Ghost Tour. Not to mention, Washington D.C. is only a few miles away.

The Old Town Food & Wine Festival runs October 9-11, 2009 in downtown Alexandria, Virginia. Learn more here.

The good tickets cost $35, but you’d be a sucker to pay it. Instead, take advantage of the awesome specials at the host hotels. Both the Holiday Inn Alexandria – Historic District and the Crowne Plaza Alexandria Old Town are offering a festival package including accommodations and two tickets to the festival. I’ve confirmed that rooms are still open, but I’m not sure for how long, so act on this soon. Just click on the hotel names for a direct link to the package.

Have fun at the Old Town Food & Wine Festival!

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