SoDel Fest Sept. 28-29 pulling out all the stops
The Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival highlights the best in local cuisine and music, along with wine, beer and spirits from all over the world. In addition this year, there are several fun twists.
“Every year, we get bigger and better,” said Stacy LaMotta, founder of Creative Coastal Connections Corp., the 501(c)(3) corporation that organizes the festival, which is sponsored by SoDel Concepts. “The wine, dining and music scene along the Culinary Coast continues to grow at a rapid rate, and we’re expanding our festival offerings to keep pace with it.”
Festival activities include:
• A Taste of Tuscany, Friday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens, Long Neck
The six-course wine dinner will feature Count Manfredo di San Bonifacio’s highly praised Conti di San Bonifacio wines. Doug Ruley, corporate chef for SoDel Concepts, consulted with Manfredo to create the menu. Among the six delectable dishes are smoked day boat scallops with salmon roe, garden water, grapefruit and sea salt; sea bass with cannellini beans, amaranth, tomato confit and fried bread; and wild boar agnolotti with melted onion, truffle, celery and pecorino. The event will feature live music. Tickets are $95 per person.
• Wine & Music Tasting, Saturday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to noon, at Independence Clubhouse, Route 5, Long Neck.
A prelude to the main festival, this special event will feature Ray Kurz of Cuvee Ray Wine Bar & Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. Participants will sip five wines selected to pair with five songs. Guests will vote on the ones that are in perfect harmony. The price is $35 per person, and attendees must also purchase a festival ticket to attend.
• 4th Annual Southern Delaware Wine Food & Music Festival, Saturday, Sept. 29, noon to 4 p.m., at Independence Clubhouse.
This year, the event offers cuisine from more than 20 restaurants, over 50 wines, locally brewed craft beers, live music, spirits, a silent auction and a wine wall. Celebrity guest Michael Sprouse will host a live cook-off between two teams of talented chefs. Tickets are $85 per person in advance or $90 at the door.
Since its start, SoDel Fest has raised more than $60,000 for nonprofits. This year’s beneficiaries are Children & Families First and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware.
For more information on the schedule, tickets and sponsorships, go to sodelfest.com.
