Swanky Connecticut casino-resort Mohegan Sun (celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2011) is set to kick 2012 off with a culinary-themed bang, thanks to its superlative Sun WineFest event that will have wine and food enthusiasts salivating well into the new year. Scheduled for late January, the celebrity chef-helmed weekend will benefit from the direction of such A-list culinary stars as Bobby Flay, Todd English, and Ben Ford (to name but a few), and highlight a delectable roster of events including bourbon and champagne tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, and much more. What’s more, ShermansTravel.com readers can enter here for a chance to win a one-night stay and a pair of tickets to two of the major Sun WineFest events (a package valued at $560), just by sharing some of their foodie travel tips below!
The three-day food-and-wine festival kicks off on January 27 with the 3-hour Bourbon Tasting held at Leffingwells Martini Bar, and spills over to January 28 with highlights like the Celebrity Chef Dine Around evening event, where signature dishes by a bevy of celebrity chefs will be perfectly paired with lip-smacking wines. Sign up for the expert winemaker-led Elite Cru Tasting that afternoon, too, and enjoy premium vintages accompanied by shellfish and gourmet cheeses. The weekend’s main event, the Grand Tasting, spans Saturday and Sunday, and features celebrity-chef demonstrations; a grape stomp; the “oyster open”; over 1,000 wines, spirits, and beers; and samplings from some of the region’s most renowned eateries. The grand finale on January 29 also includes the Bubbles & Bons Bons event, which showcases samplings of fine champagnes, chocolates, and cheeses, led by the likes of esteemed chocolatier Jacques Torres. Events are ticketed individually and range in price from $70 to $200 per person; bundled ticket packages for a duo of events are available from $135 to $245.
Now, for the really tasty part: Special for ShermansTravel.com readers, Mohegan Sun is offering two tickets for the Grand Tasting event on the afternoon of Sunday, January 29, two tickets for the Bubbles & Bon Bons event that evening, and overnight accommodations. The prize, valued at $560, can be won by simply responding to the following question in the comment field below:
What celebrity chef-driven restaurant or culinary event would you most highly recommend Smart Luxury readers hop on a plane for?
Make our editors collectively drool, and we’ll pick you as a winner (expect to hear back from us by January 10, 2012).
Tickets for the Sun WineFest can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.sunwinefest.com, over the phone at 800-745-3000, or in person at Mohegan Sun’s box office. Normal nightly hotel rates for that weekend start from $359/night on Friday, $599/night on Saturday, and $229/night on Sunday, and can be booked at www.mohegansun.com.
See our Connecticut Travel Guide for more trip-planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, vacation packages, and more travel deals.
