The Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival sponsored by Publix is currently underway at The Sea Pines Resort. Months of hard work by the staff, volunteers, and the wine community have culminated in arguably the most exciting lineup of events and wines festival’s history.

Hilton Head’s wine festival kicked off Monday night with Wine + Cinema, hosted by Custom Audio Video. Guests enjoyed a relaxing evening while savoring exquisite wines, appetizers, and desserts prepared by Red Fish. The ambiance during the “Year of the Comet” and guest speaker, celebrated Charleston sommelier and drink personality Patrick Emerson.

“Support from so many business owners in our area is what makes this festival particularly unique,” said Festival Director Jeff Gerber. “From our hosts, to sponsors like Mike Reichenbach Chevrolet and now Palmetto Distillery, the festival brings together the best of our area.”

Tuesday marked the launch of the first knowledge session, or “wine workshop,” Zing. During the two hour seminar, celebrated Oregon winery R. Stuart & Co.’s managing partner Trish Rogers demonstrated the subtle art of pairing food and wine.

“Trish did an amazing job in showing that the process is not as daunting as most people think.” said Gerber, “You can be an expert before you know it!”

Wine-themed events will continue over the course of the week, ending on Saturday with the Public Tasting. Over 250 wines will be available so guests can find the perfect Pino Noir or Cab. Both the Grand Tasting and the Sip & Stroll events have already sold out. Tickets are going fast for the remaining events, such as the four time winner of Best in Show Alexander Valley Vineyard’s tasting seminar. The event features Max Vater walking guests through a tasting of seven AVV wines, three of which are double gold winners and two were best in show in years past.

Tickets are also still available for the Banfi Dinner, hosted by Trattoria Divina. Visitors will be treated to a full three-course meal, including old vintages and pairings by Zagat award winning Chef Hugo Lee. This is the only wine dinner of the week whose profits will support local hospitality and culinary scholarships although many worthwhile wine dinners continue to pop up around town.

Wine lovers from around the world will be in attendance at the one-of-a-kind Public Tasting at Harbour Town’s Yacht Basin. Live jazz will be playing and favorite local restaurants will be making sumptuous meals and tastings for guests. Competitions like the Sysco Outdoor Gourmet Challenge with the Lowcountry’s top chefs, the always entertaining waiter’s race, and the Palmetto Distillery Bartender Challenge create a fun-filled atmosphere.

Importantly, throughout the Grand Tasting and Public Tasting, reserve bottles from the Hilton Head International Wine Competition will be auctioned off to benefit the John & Valerie Curry Educational Scholarship Fund.

Tickets for most of the week’s events are expected to sell out. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to buy their tickets before they are gone. For information on how to purchase tickets, and the scholarship fund, visit the festival website at: www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com