L.I. Winterfest returns for its 10th year: Month-long event expands beyond the region’s wineries

Long Island Winterfest is back for its 10th year and organizers are confident it will be better than ever.

“We’re excited to have a lot of new participants this year,” said Winterfest steering committee member Kristin Reyes. “We are expanding and enhancing the festival by including breweries, retail businesses, performing arts, restaurants and hotels.”

The month-long Winterfest schedule includes music, seminars, food, performances, art and tastings and begins with a kick-off party at Hotel Indigo East on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Festival participants will be set up as vendors at the party, offering samples, tastings and information. There will be live music both upstairs and downstairs at the hotel.

Brand new to this year’s festival are Winterfest Experience bus tours, which allow visitors to experience Winterfest without having to drive. There are overnight and day packages available; visitors are given a choice of taking a wine tour or a beer tour.

The wine tour, which takes place on Feb. 25, begins at Hotel Indigo at noon, heads out to Pellegrini Vineyards for a tasting and a live performance by Jack Morelli, then moves on to Martha Clara Vineyard for a private wine tasting with the winemaker. The tour wraps up at the Dark Horse Restaurant in Riverhead for dinner.

The beer tour heads out to Greenport on March 4 for a beer sampling at Greenport Harbor Brewery and an opportunity walk around the village to shop. The next stop is Long Ireland Brewery in Riverhead for a behind-the-scenes tour and a tasting. Finally, it’s off to Riverhead’s Crooked Ladder Brewing Company for a tasting before finishing up with dinner at Digger O’Dells.

For schedules, information and tickets, visit LI Winterfest’s website.