Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival Uncorks Another Year...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival Uncorks Another Year...

AUSTIN, TX...The 22nd annual Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, (THCW&FF) known for celebrating the best of the region's culinary offerings, not only honoring its multi-cultural roots, but with that expected Austin-centric vibe, unveils five days of tastings, winery luncheons, galas and seminars from March 28th-April 1st, in and around Austin.

Festival highlights include seminars, cooking classes and winemaker luncheons at various Austin locations kicking off with a Central Market cooking class, "The Sauvignon Blanc Experience" with Chef John Ash presenting a taste comparison of Sauvignon Blancs from around the world and sharing his favorite small plate recipes. Winner of a 2005 James Beard Foundation award and 1985 Food & Wine "Hot New Chefs", Ash's restaurant, John Ash & Company, continues to be one of the top dining establishments in Northern California's wine country. Ash is a partner in Sauvignon Republic Cellars, which is dedicated to making Sauvignon Blanc wines from around the world.

Three of Austin's own wine experts, and winners of Texas' Best Sommelier competition in 2006, share the secrets of their favorite Texas wines in the "Three Sommeliers Take on Texas" moderated by Devon Broglie of Whole Foods Market, Craig Collins of Prestige Cellars and Scott Cameron of Epicurean Wines. Jeff Cox, well known author of The Organic Cook's Bible and TV personality of PBS' 'Your Organic Garden', leads a panel of organic wine producers during "An Organic Approach" wine seminar; while renowned wine expert co-owner of the national chain of wine stores, Best Cellars, Joshua Wesson explores both still and sparkling Rosi wines in, "A Bouquet of Rosis". Wesson will also lead a panel of wine-world mavericks in "Fun and Funky", a look at irreverent disregard for tradition and new attempts to push the boundaries of winemaking toward wines that ooze with personality. Serious big red lovers will appreciate "Big Impact Reds" as distinguished winemakers present their award-winning wines. A reserve tasting of Robert Talbott Vineyards' Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay is a unique opportunity to taste a vertical of vintages from one of Napa Valley's premier Chardonnay wineries, resulting in wines that are sought out by the most sophisticated wine buyers and applauded by the most discerning critics.

Guests can dine with Texas winemakers surrounded by the beauty of their Hill Country wineries in the return of the well-loved "Savor the Hill Country Luncheons" where award winning wines from Mandola's Estate Winery, Becker Vineyards and Fall Creek Vineyards are paired with a multi-course meal by notable Texas chefs; diners can opt for an in-town luncheon at Aquarelle, the Cafi at the Four Seasons and the Driskill Grill and enjoy a three-course lunch, each course paired with an outstanding Texas or visiting winery.

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Texas Disposal Systems' Exotic Game Ranch, just south of Austin, has been a venue favorite for festival goers and this year's event gets even hotter as Guest chef Aaron Sanchez from Paladar in NYC joins some of Texas' finest chefs for "Latin Sizzles" celebrating the exotic flavors, wines and rhythms of Latin America. Sanchez' will also share his recipes at a Central Market cooking class during the festival.

Enjoy the meal of a lifetime in the iconic, cattle-baron splendor of the Driskill Hotel as six award-winning Texas chefs present the "Texas Culinary Masters Dinner". Chefs to date include Austin's David Bull and pastry chef Mark Chapman of the Driskill Grill, both named top chefs in the country by national magazines; James Beard Award-winner Robert del Grande of