The inaugural Lanai Cabernet Classic Wine Festival will be launched Dec. 13 to 16 at the Four Seasons Resorts Lana'i and its al fresco venues. It's just a short ferry ride away and room packages are available.
"Epicureans and wine connoisseurs are invited to uncork the event with four oenophilic-driven days of exquisite food and wine pairings matched with a luxurious Hawaii getaway to the private island of Lanai," says Philip Clough, director of food and beverage.
A number of top winemakers will be featured at wine seminars, tastings, luau, brunch, golf game and elaborate wine dinner - and you may attend events a la carte or opt for the whole weekend.
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Someone’s got to do it, right? Four Seasons Lanai Executive Chef Kevin Erving with his tasting notes about various bottles from participating wineries for the upcoming Lanai Cabernet Classic.
Photo courtesy Four Seasons Resorts Lanai
"The event will feature six elite wineries from Sonoma, Napa Valley and Paso Robles," says Executive Chef Kevin Erving. "Including Husic Estate, O'Shaughnessy Estate with Capiaux Cellars, Buccella, Jarvis, L'Aventure, and Blackbird Vineyards. While the event will be inspired by cabernet, pairings will include all vines."
The schedule includes the Welcome Reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec.13 with the wineries and duck, lobster, abalone and more at The Challenge at Manele's famed tee box overlooking the Pacific.
The Charity Golf Tournament benefitting Lanai Cancer Fund tees off at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Challenge, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Also on Dec. 14, you may relax at the Wine Tasting Alfresco from 2 to 4 p.m. at the resort's Hale Iki poolside cabanas; and attend the Passport Lanai: Food & Wine Journey from 6 to 9 p.m. which will take you on a culinary tour of the islands with an interactive evening featuring live cooking stations from Lanai's top chefs with stellar wine pairings.
On Saturday, Dec. 15, weekend warrior hotel guests may indulge in two in-depth complimentary terroir seminars in the Hale Ahe Ahe Lounge, the first from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 2 to 4 p.m.
That evening, you may sign up for the Lanai Cabernet Classic Wine Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Chef Erving has been busy planning a six-course tasting menu to complement the selections. Some menu highlights are prosciutto-wrapped diver scallops with fresh Kahuku corn polenta, braised veal cheeks with butternut gnocchi, and prime tenderloin of beef with truffle-potato gratin.
"From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, wake up to an extraordinary day on Lanai with the decadent Champagne Brunch with the winemakers," says the chef. "Then come to the Sunset Winemaker Luau, an afternoon of authentic Hawaiian cuisine, wine stations and a traditional Polynesian performance, oceanside at the Luau Gardens. The luau will feature seafood on ice, exotic fruits, pulehu island pig, steamed snapper and gourmet desserts.
Tickets range from $55 for the brunch to $150 for the luau to $175 for the dinner. For special room rates, call (800) 321-4666 and ask for the Lanai Cabernet Classic package. For event tickets only, call (808) 565-2335 or you may email lea.hennessy@fourseasons.com.
