One of America’s Best Wine Festivals Returns to the Hudson Valley Next Month With 300+ Vendors, Tastings & Chef Demos
The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is back for 2025 — and it’s bringing more flavors, more sips, and more star chefs than ever before. Recently ranked by USA Today’s 10Best as one of the best wine festivals in the country , this annual Rhinebeck tradition is the perfect late-summer getaway for wine lovers, foodies, and anyone craving a scenic weekend in the Hudson Valley . Now in its 24th year, the two-day celebration takes over the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (just a 2-hour drive from NYC ) with 300+ vendors, live music, and a lineup of award-winning chefs and sommeliers ready to impress. This year’s festival runs Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 , making it one of the first big events to kick off the fall season in the Hudson Valley. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your trip! The 2025 chef & entertainment lineup at the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The chef demos are always a huge draw — and this year’s talent roster is packed with local legends and Food Network favorites: * Chef Marcus Guiliano (*Aroma Thyme Bistro*, “America’s Top Food Activist”) * Chef Ric Orlando (*Beat Bobby Flay*, two-time *Chopped* winner) * Chef Vincent Tropepe (Brooklyn-born cookbook author) * Chef J. Jackson (*Cutthroat Kitchen*, *Beat Bobby Flay*) * Debbie Gioquindo (aka the *Hudson Valley Wine Goddess*) Between demos, guests can take part in cocktail masterclasses, wine pairing seminars, and VIP tastings — all set to a live soundtrack from The Carrie Zazz Band , covering everything from classic rock to Motown. What to eat & drink at this year’s festival ----------------------------------------------- With more than 200 food and beverage vendors , the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is a sip-and-snack paradise. Expect to sample wines from top New York vineyards like Millbrook Vineyards & Winery , Whitecliff Vineyard , and Three Brothers Wineries & Estates ; beers from Sloop Brewing , Bronx Brewery , and Dogfish Head ; and spirits from Hudson House Distillery and Tuthilltown Spirits . Foodies can browse dozens of gourmet vendors serving everything from balsamic glazes and artisanal cheeses to chocolate truffles, jerk chicken, empanadas, and crab cakes . Things to do at the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival ---------------------------------------------------------- Yes, the tastings are the main event — but there’s a lot more to keep you busy between sips: * Live chef demos & cooking competitions with celebrity chefs * Cocktail-making classes and wine pairing seminars * VIP tent with exclusive tastings and discussions * Live music from The Carrie Zazz Band * Artisan shopping for handmade jewelry, candles, cork handbags, and more * Food trucks serving local and international bites * Scenic Hudson Valley getaway — explore Rhinebeck’s historic inns, boutiques, and nearby attractions Tickets & admission info ---------------------------- 🎟 Tickets: Available online at Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest’s website, starting at $35 📅 Dates: Saturday, September 6 & Sunday, September 7, 2025 📍 Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY How to get there from NYC ----------------------------- The Dutchess County Fairgrounds are about a 2-hour drive from NYC . You can also take Amtrak from Moynihan Train Hall to Rhinecliff–Kingston Station, then grab a short rideshare or taxi to the fairgrounds. Source: https://secretnyc.co/top-wine-festival-in-america-2025-hudson-valley-wine-food-fest/