(Ed. Note: visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com/ for specific details)

2009 WINE FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Over the past 12 years the Nantucket Wine Festival has blossomed into one of the nation's most celebrated wine and food events. With the help of Nantucket landmark hotel, The White Elephant, most of this year's festival will be staged entirely in the heart of downtown Nantucket.

A One-Man Tour de Force, Towle's Hill
Mark Kenward of The Marsh theater in San Francisco presents a one-man performance piece about the history of one of California's oldest wineries, Gundlach Bundschu. Jeff Bundschu, proprietor of Gundlach Bundschu, will serve his wines before the show, along with delectable appetizers from the Starlight. A rare marriage of wine and art.

Opening Reception, Wednesday, May 13th
In 2009, the Festival begins with an Opening Reception on Wednesday, May 13th, where the Nantucket community greets winemakers. Enjoy a glass of exquisite nonvintage brut Champagne by Heidsieck Monopole, accompanied by the music of Nantucket guitar virtuoso Jim Sulzer.

Luncheon Symposia, Friday, May 15th, from 11AM-2PM
The Nantucket Wine Festival is proud to continue the luncheon symposia program begun in 2008. This year, we offer a series of four great wine symposium/luncheon events at some of Nantucket's best addresses.

The program will unfold with a one-hour symposium featuring distinguished winemakers, who will lead a discussion of their wines with the assembled guests. Each of these events will be limited to 40-50 people, thus retaining the intimacy and scale that distinguishes our festival. Immediately after the symposium, the guests will be treated to a four-course luncheon of superb cuisine featuring the wines of the guest winemakers.

*All four luncheon symposia will take place on Friday, May 15th, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

In addition to the Luncheon Symposia, the Nantucket Wine Festival hosts the following events:

Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, The Grand Tasting
The focal point of the Nantucket Wine Festival is the Grand Tasting, at which more than 100 of the world's great wineries will be pouring their wines.

Again this year, the Grand Tasting will be held at the Nantucket Yacht Club, a Nantucket landmark built in 1870. The expanded space at this South Beach Street location should please our guests and exhibitors alike.

There will be four two-hour sessions of the Grand Tasting on Saturday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 17th. Whether you attend two sessions or all four, this is a must-see event.