The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Returns in June
In its 34th year in 2026, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) is a smorgasbord of food and wine tastings, tours, masterclasses, and more. This year, NOWFE is held on Wednesday, June 10, through Saturday, June 13, 2026.
What Is NOWFE?
Each year, hundreds of wineries and restaurants participate, offering menus featuring local flavors and innovative new creations inspired by diverse cuisines. Top chefs from around the city create unique culinary experiences, so much so that the event regularly makes a few national “best of” festival lists.
Who Benefits From NOWFE?
The organization behind this popular event is a nonprofit that donates 100% of its proceeds to beneficiaries ranging from food banks to culinary schools. The 2025 beneficiaries were the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation, Delgado Community College Culinary Arts Program, and FirstLine School’s Edible Schoolyard Program. You can find out more about each on the NOEFE website, as well as this year’s beneficiaries once they’re announced.
NOWFE Event Highlights
You can see all the events online (and buy tickets while you are it), but here are some musts you should know about if you think of attending NOWFE.
What: Tournament of Rosés
When: Friday, June 12, 2026, 7-9:00 p.m.
Location: New Orleans Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, The Great Hall
Dress to impress and party New Orleans style at the annual Tournament of Rosés. Taste some premier rosés — both still and sparkling — from France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and South America. Enjoy tasty bites from New Orleans restaurants and tunes from a DJ.
What: The Grand Tasting
When: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:30-3:00 p.m. VIP, 3-6:00 p.m. general admission
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, The Great Hall
This tasting showcases wines from around the world and food served by New Orleans chefs. You’ll get a chance to ask the winemakers and the chefs questions, learn about wine and wine pairings, and eat some seriously delicious local food. The attending restaurant list is long and an impressive who’s who of the New Orleans culinary world.
Other events include wine dinners, master classes on wine blending and crafting cocktails, parties, and much more.
You can get event tickets à la carte or in three packages (Tasting, The Connoisseur, or VIP).
Coming to NOWFE?
Check out our guide to where to stay in the French Quarter, and be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels. Also, consider booking a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans.
For easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
