Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival

Wine, Beer and Spirits Seminar Schedule

EDUCATE… EXPLORE… ENTERTAIN…

                                                                                    

What’s new in wine and beer?  What are the latest trends?  Be sure to attend these tutored seminars in a quiet setting where specialists, professional educators, critics, and makers present tasting and comparative experiences. 

 

This year’s offerings are a result of working with all of Michigan’s largest Wine Distributors and Importers, the Michigan Wine & Grape Council, and several Wine Trails.  Joe Borrello, President of Taster’s Guild International, headquartered right here in Grand Rapids, will introduce these special presentations. 

 

There is a $15 fee for each Beverage Seminar to cover the cost of the samples poured. Each presentation is limited to 40 attendees.

Click on the button below to purchase Beverage Seminar Tickets!

PLEASE NOTE: Purchasing Seminar Tickets does NOT include the price of admission to the Festival.

 


 

 

WINE, BEER and SPIRITS SEMINAR SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, November 12

6:00 PM

Seminar Room A ~    Diversity of Sonoma County

                                        Presented by Scott Lindquist, Constellation Wines, Michigan On-Premise Manager

                                        Hosted by Henri A. Fox Sales

 

Seminar Room B ~    Flavor Profile of Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand's Marlborough Region

                                        Presented by Ken Abraham of Pernod Ricard USA

                                        Hosted by Kent Beverage

 

7:30 PM

Seminar Room C ~    Celebrate the Season with Michigan Sparkling Wines

                                        Presented by Larry Mawby, L. Mawby Vineyards

 

Seminar Room D ~    One Hour Wine Expert

                                        Presented by Brian Cain

                                        Hosted by Great Lakes Wine & Spirits

 

Friday, November 13

6:00 PM

Seminar Room A ~    Limited Production, Boutique Wine Seminar

                                       Presented by Peter Woods, CSW, Fine Wine Manager for the Signature Collection of Henry A. Fox Sales Company

 

Seminar Room B ~    Regions and Wines of New Zealand

                                       Hosted by Kent Beverage

 

7:30 PM

Seminar Room A ~    Sample Delicious Fre (Alcohol-Removed) Cocktails from the Liquid Muse

                                       Presented by Natalie Bovis-Nelson, Renowned Mixologist and Author of the Book "Preggatinis: Mixology for the

                                       Mom-to-be"

                                       Hosted by Henry A. Fox Sales

 

Seminar Room C ~    International Riesling Foundation

                                        Presented by Sean O'Keefe, Chateau Grand Traverse & Bryan Ulbrich, Left Foot Charley

 

Seminar Room D ~    Red Wines of the Mediterranean - Description of the Mediterranean Climate, Cultures & Wine Making Traditions

                                        Presented by Brian Cain

                                        Hosted by Great Lakes Wine & Spirits

 

Saturday, November 14

1:30 PM

Seminar Room A ~    Exploring the Varietal Types of California through Barefoot Wine

                                        Presented by Evan Roarty-Collins, The "Moe-Toe", Barefoot Wines

                                        Hosted by Henry A. Fox Sales

 

Seminar Room B ~    Beer and Food with Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann ~ Learn the benefits and techniques in pairing beer with food

                                        Presented by Fred Bueltman of New Holland Brewery

                                        Hosted by Kent Beverage

 

Seminar Room C ~    Michigan's World Class Rieslings

                                        Hosted by Fenn Valley Vineyards

 

3:00 PM

Seminar Room C ~    Michigan Cab Franc

                                        Presented by Coenraad Stassen, Brys Estate & Brian Hosmer, Chateau Chantal

 

Seminar Room D ~    One Hour Wine Expert

                                        Presented by Brian Cain

                                        Hosted by Great Lakes Wine & Spirits

 

Seminar Room E ~    California's Emerging Premium Wine Regions: Looking for the Next Napa

                                        Presented by Cecil Robbins

                                        Hosted by Paw Paw Distributors

 

4:30 PM

Seminar Room A ~    I Love Pinot Noir, Seriously

                                       Presented by Kimberly State, CSW, Fine Wine Specialist for the Signature Collection of Henry A. Fox Sales Company

                                        Hosted by Henry A. Fox Sales

 

Seminar Room B ~    The Development of Northern Michigan Wines

                                        Presented by Brian Bulles and Bob Jacobson

                                        Hosted by Kent Beverage

 

Seminar Room E ~    Modern Wines of Southern France

                                        Presented by James Van Der Kolk, Director of Elite Brands USA

 

6:00 PM

Seminar Room C ~    Pinot's of SW Michigan, Red, White and Sparkling

                                        Presented by Chris Moersch, Round Barn Winery

 

Seminar Room D ~    Defining Quality - Why is one bottle $10 and another $100 or more?  Why can you buy one wine anywhere?

                                        Why can you only find certain wines at major wine sellers?  What are the components of quality? 

                                        Presented by Brian Cain

                                        Hosted by Great Lakes Wine & Spirits

 

Seminar Room E ~    A Tour of Premium Australian Wines 

                                        Presented by Bradford Hammerschmidt

                                        Hosted by Elite Brands of Michigan

 

 

7:30 PM

Seminar Room A ~    Exploring Viticulture in the Alsace Region of France

                                        Presented by Dominique Schoenheitz, Schoenheitz Winery

                                        Hosted by Henry A. Fox Sales

 

Seminar Room B ~    New World Cabernet Sauvignons vs. Old World Cabernets

                                        Presented by Michael Smith, Premium Wine Specialist for Kent Beverage 

 

Seminar Room E ~    HOPTASTIC "The Rise of the Hoppy Ale in American Craft Brew"

                                        Presented by Andrew Van Til, Hosted by Elite Brands of Michigan