The Newport Winefest, a celebration of New England’s culinary culture,  takes place on the water at the picturesque Newport Yachting Center in Rhode Island, August 20-22, 2010.

Food personalities to watch for include everyone from The James Beard Awards to Top Chef to Mobil Newport WineFestTravel Guides. This currently includes Chef Mary Ann Esposito of PBS series, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito; Chef Jody Adams, Jonathon Alsop, Chef Patricia Yeo, Chef Peter Kelly; Chef Jason Santos and Chef Tyler Anderson.

  • Skilled chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations on the culinary stage throughout the weekend.
  • Guests will find complimentary tastings of food, wine, beer and spirits at the Grand Tastings.
  • At an exclusive Waterfront Grand Cru,  wine enthusiasts will have an opportunity to taste an assortment of select and reserve wines from vineyards around the world.
  • Jonathan Alsop of Founder & Executive Director of the Boston Wine School will teach guests about wine at the complementary wine seminars; topics include  “How to Taste Wine and Why;” “The New Wines You’ve Never Heard Of” and “Pretty in Pink: Dry Rosés.”
  • Spirit lounges and a festive beer garden will be the perfect place to kick back and take in the views.

For more information or to purchase tickets beginning at $45 a person, visit www.Newportwinefest.com.

– guest contributor