New Food & Wine Festival Further Positions PVD as a Culinary Destination

Rhode Island, get ready to eat, drink, and celebrate the capital city’s culinary charm! A new event, happening March 27-30 aims to further cement Providence as a destination on the international culinary and wine trail. Produced in partnership with the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (GoProvidence) and RMO PR, the inaugural Rhode Island Wine Experience, or Wine X, will feature signature tastings and specially curated dinners to honor the city’s culinary legacy.

The celebration is essentially two events in one: the Culinary Collective, which emphasizes gastronomic delights, and Wine X, which focuses on beverages. The Collective will feature exclusive tastings, celebrity chef appearances, dinners, and classes led by experts at Johnson & Wales University. Wine X will see over 30 wine vendors bringing a collection of local, domestic, and international varieties to restaurants, bars, and clubs around the city. The event also features expert-led panels exploring trending topics in the wine and hospitality world, including sessions on women in the wine industry and a workshop on wine sustainability, which will look at eco-conscious practices and their impact on the industry. The four-day experience is expected to attract locals and tourists and coincides with the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, a new comedy festival happening simultaneously in multiple venues around the state.

“GoProvidence has been building Providence’s culinary brand for two decades,” says Kristen Adamo, president and CEO at GoProvidence. “We feel that the Providence Culinary Collective, of which RI Wine X is a major part, is an evolution of that brand. We have some of the top culinary talent in the country and this provides a showcase for them. It’s my hope that we will be able to build on this year and make this an annual event for the city.”

Upon returning from a recent trip to California wine country, RMO PR president Rosanna Ortiz had been looking for ways to celebrate wines that highlight Providence’s culinary community. “For some time, I had been nurturing the idea of creating a wine festival that truly stood apart, one that not only showcased exceptional wines but brought together Providence’s vibrant culinary scene,” explains Ortiz.

“I wanted to pair outstanding local restaurants with thoughtfully selected domestic wines guided by expert sommeliers that we would bring in who could elevate the experience through education,” adds Ortiz. “The goal is to offer guests more than just a tasting but an immersive journey that blends wine, food, and knowledge in an engaging and fun way.”

One highlight of the weekend will certainly be the Grand Tasting on Saturday, March 29 at the Providence G Ballroom. “It features over 30 esteemed wine vendors and three engaging panels on wine and hospitality led by industry experts from Rhode Island, Boston, New York City, and South Carolina,” says Ortiz. “In the evening, we elevate the experience with a spectacular five-course Vintners Dinner at The Reserve on Dorrance, where each course is paired with highly rated domestic wines from the renowned Spire Collection. To close out the night in style, guests can unwind at our Night Cap event at the Bellini Rooftop.”

Additional highlights include Gracie’s three-course dinner with Greenvale Vineyards on March 27, the Giro D’Italia Tour of Italy Wine Dinner at Sarto on March 28, and the Wine X Luxury Component Sunday at The Capital Grille on March 30.

The Culinary Collective/Wine X has partnered with several local organizations, including Johnson & Wales University, Hope & Main, Food Trucks In, Rhode Island PBS, The Public’s Radio’s Uncorking the Future, and national media partner SAVEUR. Partial proceeds will go to Feed the Children, an anti-hunger nonprofit that delivers food and other essentials to children and families.

Four Days of Pours & More

View a list of the events and learn more about the festival at GoProvidence.com.