The Sun Wine & Food Fest is a weekend-long event held at Mohegan Sun that is centered around experiencing high-end wines and foods. This year’s fest, the 14th annual, takes place from January 27 to January 29, 2017, and features more than 20 celebrity chefs and winemakers, 1,000 wines, crafts beers and spirits, and signature dishes from New England’s most well-respected restaurants.
The weekend is split into 6 separate events (each with their own price tag), which means that you can mix and match according to your taste (and the amount of money you want to spend!). Tickets to each event must be purchased ahead of time, so be sure you plan ahead.
Friday, January 27
On Friday, you have two events to choose from: The Bourbon Tasting and Aaron Sanchez’s Mexican Night Market.
The Bourbon Tasting allows you to taste a variety of bourbons, along with hors d’oeuvres and cigars. It takes place from 6pm to 9pm in the Uncas Ballroom. The cost is $90.
Aaron Sanchez’s Night Market lets you get up close and personal with celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez as he hosts a Mexican night market in the Uncas Ballroom. You’ll learn about traditional Mexican recipes and can try some specialty tequila and mescal cocktails. It takes place from 8pm to 11pm and costs $90.
Saturday, January 28
There are three events for you to take part in on Saturday: The Grand Tasting, the Elite Cru tasting, and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around.
The Grand Tasting is one of the primary draws of the Wine & Food Fest, as it’s here that you’ll be able to taste over 1,000 varieties of wine and beer as well as specialty spirits and food from some of the area’s best restaurants. The event runs from noon to 5pm in the Uncas Ballroom and costs $99. Demonstrations by well-known chefs will take place throughout the event and include personalities such as Michele Ragussis, Aaron Sanchez, Brian Duffy, Roble Ali, Todd English, and Chris Coombs.
The Elite Cru Tasting lets you sample the best-of-the-best vintages and gives you access to one-on-ones with the winemakers where you can learn more about the wine-making process. It runs from 3pm to 5pm in the Cabaret Theatre and costs $210.
If you’re more interested in food than alcohol, then the Celebrity Chef Dine Around is probably right up your alley. By attending you can watch the master chefs Todd Engish, Rocco DiSpirito, Michele Ragussis, and Roble Ali create their one-of-a-kind dishes at several live cooking stations. Each signature dish comes with its own wine or beer pairing. The event runs from 8pm to 10:30pm in the Uncas Ballroom and costs $199.
Sunday, January 29
Sunday has just one event: Brunch with Batali, where you’ll be able to sample some of chef Batali’s signature dishes and see a live demonstration as he cooks. All guests also receive a copy of his cookbook Mario Batali – BIG American Cookbook to take home. The event runs from 11am to 2pm in the Uncas Ballroom and costs $90.
Visitor Information
Where: Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville
When: January 27 to January 29, 2017
Cost: Costs vary based on which events you choose to attend. In addition to being able to purchase tickets to individual events, there are a number of packages available.
