WNC magazine and its parent company, GulfStream Communications, announce they will partner with the Asheville Wine & Food Festival to cultivate the premier wine and food event for Western North Carolina. The festival, now in its second year, will take place on August 14, 2010, at the WNC Agricultural Center. It will bring together regional wineries, chefs, and food producers in a series of wine tastings and gustatory events to showcase Western North Carolina’s appetite for locally produced flavors.
The festival debuted last year as a fund-raiser for Slow Food Asheville and RiverLink and was created by Bob Bowles, a founding member and past president of Slow Food Asheville. The event was launched to highlight the regional wineries in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, and also featured local food and wines from the Yadkin Valley Appellation.
Jed Drew, president of GulfStream, said, “We believe this partnership fits perfectly with GulfStream’s strategy as we continue to grow our presence across the Carolinas, leveraging our print, online, and event capabilities. We look forward to working with Bob to develop the Asheville Wine & Food Festival as one of the leading destination events for wine and food lovers in the Southeast.”
Bob Bowles, founder of Asheville Wine & Food Festival, adds, “The partnership with GulfStream allows us to reach a wider market of wine and food lovers in South Carolina, Atlanta, and North Carolina. GulfStream’s magazines, events, and customer base represent the emerging interest in local wines, farm-to-table dining, and support for local agriculture.” The 2010 festival will be renamed the WNC magazine Asheville Wine & Food Festival, with more than 60 wineries and 2,000 attendees expected to participate.
About the Festival
The WNC magazine Asheville Wine & Food Festival will be held indoors on August 14, 2010, in the new expo facility at the WNC Agricultural Center across from the Asheville Regional Airport and adjacent to Interstate 26 with easy connections from Interstate 40. With more than 60 regional, national, and international wineries already committed to this year’s festival, along with regional restaurants and local food producers, this event will allow attendees to experience the diverse culinary offerings of Western North Carolina. More information about the festival can be found at www.ashevillewineandfood.com
