The Lost Colony Grand Tasting – The Best Wine Festival Around

This is what the perfect wine festival would look like. There would be a light breeze off a beautiful body of water, with plenty of sunshine, of course. There would be live music; maybe some jazz in one area of the tasting and the beautiful winsome voice of a folk singer and guitarist elsewhere.

And wine…lots and lots of wine to taste. More than a 100 different flavors and tastes of the varietals of the world. Some beer might be nice to go with that, for those who may prefer beer or want a little variety.

Food—there would have to be a lot of that—the good food, the dishes that the best chefs prepare.

And best of all, little or no lines to sample the wine or the beer or grab a quick but perfectly prepared hors d’œuvres.

That is exactly what the 3rd Annual Lost Colony Wine and Culinary Grand Tasting was all about on the last Saturday in September.

The body of water? That would be the Albemarle Sound and as the day wore on a wonderful light breeze blew from the north. The sun never failed all day. Warm? A bit, but then the breeze would come off the water and sitting outside sipping a glass of wine and nibbling on mini crab cake seemed about as good as it gets.

Inside the SoundStage Theatre, the large pavilion-like building backstage at The Lost Colony, there was wine. Wines from all over the world, from North Carolina to Australia, Europe, South America, California. Whites, reds, roses, sparkling wines, champagnes.

The key, in that situation, is to pace yourself. And maybe take two or three sips and then pour the wine out—admittedly often a heartbreaking decision.

But along the way, some wonderful wines were sampled.

There was a beautiful Australian Shiraz, the 2017 Vinaceous Snake Charmer. Smooth, wonderful fruit and a bit of the pepper expected in a shiraz. There was a Champagne Trio OBX was pouring in the VIP lounge. The R Dumont Brut was everything a French brut Champagne is supposed to be—just a hint of fruit, dry, with tight bubbles and marvelously refreshing.

Wine is, of course, a very individual taste, but in that setting, it would be hard to imagine there wasn’t a wine somewhere for every palate.

Rating food may be even more an individual preference than wine, but Cafe Lachine’s delightful garlicky Pamlico poached shrimp over veggie pesto was a standout. As was the peppery lobster bisque from Ten O Six. That is individual taste, but everything sampled was very good.

Inside the SoundStage the beautiful vocals of Jessica Hudson combined with the acoustic guitar of Thorne Wiggs created a wonderful musical backdrop for the day. Out in the Beer Garden, the breezeway leading to the SoundStage Theatre, Joe Mapp and the Coordinates were playing some of the coolest jazz around. It’s all part of what goes into making an event so special.

In the beer garden there was a story that’s worth noting. Somehow Ocracoke’s 1718 Brewery managed to get their beers to the Grand Tasting. No small feat since the beer is brewed on Ocracoke Island, but somehow, through relay systems, a lot of driving and coordination among various parties, the beer was there.

The Wine and Culinary Weekend—that’s what it is with a wine dinner on Friday evening and a Sunday brunch at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe—has become the major fundraiser for The Lost Colony in the off season. The signature event, and best attended, of the weekend is the Grand Tasting. Only in its third year, the Grand Tasting has established itself as a well-run and enjoyable wine tasting as there could be.

That is by design, as Bill Coleman, CEO of The Lost Colony explains.

“We decided the first year, we don’t want to get any bigger than this,” he said. “If you have 1000 people in here, it would be miserable, and nobody would ever come back. Do we want to be the best 500-person wine fest? Yes, that was our goal. That’s what we want to do.”

Bill’s expectation to create the best possible experience for the event is shared by Cindy McGann, the Chair of the Festival’s Wine Committee.

“I don’t think there’s any other wine event like this in this region,” she said. “There’s no one else doing a wine tasting that has this many wines and the beer and the food all in one place. You can come for three hours and eat and drink and we’ve never run out. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.”

The one added touch, though that makes the Grand Tasting such a memorable experience is the setting. Located on the north end of Roanoke Island on the Albemarle Sound, everything seems to come together to create the ideal surroundings for a Grand Tasting.

“We have a real advantage in the wine fest business” Bill said. “We have the infrastructure. We don’t have an issue with parking. It’s a beautiful location. It’s a million-dollar view. People like it.”

2017 Inaugural Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Exceeds Fundraising Goals!

Photo courtesy of Milepost Portraits

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival continues to receive rave reviews. The Roanoke Island Historical Association is also excited to share that the event exceeded its goals and raised over $44,000 to benefit the 2018 production of The Lost Colony. The festival featured 120 wines from around the world, local breweries, and regional restaurants. We are proud to announce The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Grand Tasting will return on Saturday, September 29th, 2018!

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very grateful to Virginia Dare Winery, First National Bank, TowneBank OBX, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, and to all our sponsors who supported this event in benefit of The Lost Colony. We also want to thank our vendors, volunteers, and attendees for helping us achieve this success.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival – A Great Success!

Photo courtesy of Milepost Portraits

 

Nearly 500 visitors and locals participated in The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Inaugural Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th. Attendees enjoyed a perfect fall day filled wine and craft beer tasting, live entertainment, educational wine seminars and fabulous views of the Roanoke Sound. Committee members worked hard over the past year to organize the event that featured over 120 wines from around the world, local and regional breweries, and area restaurants and cafes presenting signature appetizers. More than 60 volunteers dedicated their Saturday to support the Festival and without them, this event would not have been possible.

 

“First class”, “Lots of fun!”, and “Looking forward to next year” were just a few of the positive remarks made by Festival attendees. The Roanoke Island Historical Association is very grateful to Virginia Dare Winery, First National Bank, TowneBank, the Outer Bank Visitors Bureau and to all our sponsors who supported this event in benefit of The Lost Colony. Proceeds will go directly to the 2018 production of The Lost Colony. If you were unable to attend this year, be sure to mark your calendar for The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival in September of 2018!

VIP Tickets Sold Out for Grand Tasting!

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting is Saturday, September 30th!

The Grand Tasting will feature over 120 wines, a Beer Garden, Wine Seminars, and Live Entertainment. The Festival will be held on the grounds of The Lost Colony with a breathtaking view of the Roanoke Sound. VIP Tickets have already sold out, but there are still General Admission tickets available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Committee Members Working Hard!

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting is quickly approaching on Saturday, September 30th. The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival Committee members have been working hard for over a year to plan a fun filled event! The Grand Tasting will feature over 120 wines, a Beer Garden, Wine Seminars, and Live Entertainment! The Festival overlooks the Roanoke Sound and has a breathtaking view. VIP Tickets are already sold out, but fortunately General Admission tickets are still available. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th please visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival September 30th, 2017

On Roanoke Island where history, legends and grapes intertwine, The Lost Colony Wine and Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting debuts on Saturday, September 30th.   On the grounds of the famous outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, attendees will taste wines from around the world, discover local craft beer, sample savory local fare and enjoy live entertainment.  Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Roanoke and Pamlico Sounds, there is no better way to spend a fall day on the Outer Banks.  The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival’s Grand Tasting event opens at 12 noon for VIP ticket holders ($75) and at 1 pm for General Admission ($50).  The Family Coppola’s Virginia Dare Winery partners with the Roanoke Island Historical Association for this “don’t want to miss” festival in benefit of The Lost Colony.

 

Roanoke Island is the site of Queen Elizabeth I’s first attempt to establish a colony in the New World, and is the birthplace of America’s first English child, Virginia Dare.  The Lost Colony, tells the story of the 1587 colony and has performed on this historic site since 1937.  Roanoke Island is also home to the Mothervine, America’s oldest cultivated grapevine.  The island’s history is imbedded with fabulous legends!  The Virgin Queen and Sir Walter Raleigh’s dreams, the colony’s unsolved disappearance, and a love story that tells how the grapes of the Mothervine became stained red.  The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival celebrates Roanoke Island’s history, legends, and heritage with wine, handcrafted beer and sumptuous food.

 

Francis Ford Coppola is intrigued with the mystery and legends of the Lost Colony.  When Virginia Dare Wines, a North Carolina winery during the 1800s, became available for purchase, The Family Coppola seized the opportunity to add its legendary wine to its portfolio of wineries and resorts.  In 2015 The Family Coppola launched the revitalization of Virginia Dare Winery at its new home in Sonoma County, promoted as “American Wines Since 1835.”  Crafted with grapes from the finest viticulture regions in California, Virginia Dare Winery wines are rich with characteristics befitting an American legend:  Pure. Natural. Distinctive.  The partnership with The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival reflects The Family Coppola’s appreciation of history and storytelling, and celebrates the treasures, people and places that shaped this great country.

 

The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival opens with a Vintner’s Dinner featuring Virginia Dare Wines at the Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores on Friday, September 29th.  A multi-course meal will be fabulously paired with the wines by Chef Thomas. To purchase tickets or for more information on the Vintner’s Dinner and the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 30th please visit our website, www.tlcwinefest.com, or call (252) 473-2127.  Vintner’s Dinner tickets and VIP tickets for the Grand Tasting are very limited and early purchase is encouraged.  The festival is generously funded by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and is sponsored by several local partners including First National Bank as the Noble Sponsor.  For a full listing of the Festival’s supporters, please see our website.