The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Returns in June
In its 32nd year in 2024, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) is a smorgasbord of food and wine tastings, tours, masterclasses, and the annual champagne-soaked burlesque brunch. This year, NOWFE is held on Wednesday, June 5, through Sunday, June 9.
What Is NOWEFE?
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 2024 beneficiaries are 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.
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: NOWFE Kick-Off Celebration
When: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Brennan’s Restaurant, Courtyard & Roost Bar
Kick off the week of wine celebrations at Brennan’s with a champagne reception in its lush courtyard and Roost Bar featuring Executive Chef Ryan Hacker’s champagne-inspired menu paired with champagnes by Folio Fine Wines. The ticket price includes a sabering lesson and one complimentary tasting of each champagne.
What: Vinola
When: Thursday, June 6, 2024, 5:30-6 pm VIP, 6-8:30 pm general admission
Location: Orpheum Theater, VIP at Double Dealer
This elevated tasting is your chance to sample a variety of rare and highly valued wines expertly paired with foods crafted by local chefs. Winemakers will present elite wines from around the world, while award-winning chefs will be on hand to serve and talk about their food and what inspires them in its creation. Attending restaurants include Addis, Broussard’s Restaurant, Rib Room, and more. VIP guests will enjoy creations by the chefs from such high-end eateries as Desi Vega’s Steakhouse and Restaurant R’evolution.
What: Tournament of Rosés
When: Friday, June 7, 2024, 6:30-7 pm VIP, 7-10 pm general admission
Location: Generations Hall
Dress to impress and party New Orleans style at the sixth annual Tournament of Rosés. Taste some premier rosés — both still and sparkling — from France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and South America. Participating restaurants include Boswell’s Jamaican Grill, Couvant, Ralph’s On the Park, Rib Room, Ruby Slipper, and more.
What: The Grand Tasting
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 2:30-3 pm VIP, 3-6 pm 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 (26!) and an impressive who-is-who of the New Orleans culinary world, with such heavyweights as Boucherie, Domenica, Restaurant August, and The Grill Room representing.
What: Burlesque, Bubbly & Brunch
When: Sunday, June 9, 2024, 11 am -1 pm
Location: The Omni Royal Orleans
Truly a one-of-a-kind experience, Burlesque, Bubbly & Brunch features plated brunch, bottomless sparkling wine, and a burlesque performance by Trixie Minx Productions. The menu is a crowd-pleaser with a local flavor.
Other events include wine dinners, masterclasses on wine blending, making pizza, crafting cocktails, and roasting coffee, a party at Bacchanal, and much more.
You can get event tickets a la carte or in three packages (Tasting, The Connoisseur, or the 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!
