Sep 30, 2025 | General News, Special Events
Beginning Thursday, January 22nd, Mohegan Sun’s largest annual festival returns featuring Robert Irvine, Maneet Chauhan, Michael Symon, Esther Choi, and many more!
UNCASVILLE, CT (September 30, 2025) – Mohegan Sun’s most anticipated food & wine celebration is back—and bigger than ever. From January 22 – 25, 2026, Sun Wine & Food Fest invites guests to indulge in a weekend of bold flavors, award-winning wine, top chefs and exclusive experiences. Featuring over 1,000 varieties of wine, beer, and spirits, plus appearances by celebrity chefs including Robert Irvine, Scott Conant, Antonia Lofaso, Michael Symon and Adam Young, this four-day festival blends world-class tastings with live entertainment, curated pairings, and exclusive events like the Celebrity Chef Dine Around, Vintage Cru Hosted by The USA Wine Team, and the Sun Patio Ice Bar Experience. Tickets are officially on sale, with limited availability across all events – guests can secure their spot to the 22nd Annual Sun Wine & Food Fest now via ticketmaster.com and the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability.
Thursday, January 22nd
Sun Wine & Food Fest kicks off on Thursday, January 22nd with Cocktails & Chandeliers with Chris Santos from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Beauty & Essex. At this event, attendees will get a glimpse inside Beauty & Essex and will step into a world of sophistication and indulgence. Tickets include access to hand-passed cocktails and delicious appetizers. From 9:00pm – 11:00pm, guests can head over to A.T.Y. Bar & Bonbons for Tinis & Treats, an exclusive evening dedicated to the incredible flavors from Sift Bake Shop and A.T.Y. Bar & Bonbons. At this event, guests can indulge in a flight of three handcrafted mini martinis, each expertly mixed to complement a selection of Sift Bake Shop’s finest house-made pastries and bonbons.
Friday, January 23rd
Day two of Sun Wine & Food Fest 2026 kicks off with an Exclusive Louis XIII Tasting in Beauty & Essex from 5:00pm – 7:00pm where guests can step into the world of rare and exceptional spirits as a unique opportunity is presented to savor the iconic Louis XIII Cognac. Guests can taste one of the most sought-after Cognacs and learn from a knowledgeable brand ambassador. From 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the Earth Ballroom, Suntory Global Spirits Presents: Asian Market returns with a vibrant evening where premium spirits meet their perfect pairing. The Asian Market brings together a dynamic lineup of chefs, including the well-known Esther Choi, as well as vendors providing traditional wares. From 7:00pm – 10:00pm over in the Earth Expo & Convention Center, guests can be among the first to explore the bold flavors and standout selections of Sun Wine & Food Fest as Grand Tasting Day One is set to offer early access to a curated collection of wines, craft beers, and premium spirits – paired with inspired bites from top regional restaurants. Guests can bundle up and step into a winter-inspired escape at the Sun Patio Ice Bar Experience from 9:00pm – 11:00pm. The Sun Patio Ice Bar Experience transforms the Sun Patio into a glowing, open-air lounge where frosty cocktails and cool beats set the tone. To finish up the night, guests can head over to Clay Pipe Cigar Bar for day one of Spirits & Cigars Presented by Mohegan Sun’s Barrel Select Program. From 10:00pm – Midnight, guests can explore a curated selection of premium pours, each paired with a complimentary cigar chosen to enhance its complexity.
Saturday, January 24th
Day three of the 22nd Annual Sun Wine & Food Fest will bring experiences that guests won’t want to miss. To start the day off, fine food and vino enthusiasts can attend a celebration of wine and culinary mastery at day two of Sun Wine & Food Fest’s signature event, the exquisite Grand Tasting, from Noon – 5:00pm in the Earth Expo & Convention Center. Attendees can taste from more than 1,000 varieties of wine, beer, and spirits, alongside delectable dishes from local restaurants and food trucks. Throughout the day, catch live demonstrations on theMain Stage and Coca-Cola Kitchen, where renowned chefs share their techniques, insights, and signature flair. Witness celebrity chefs like Michael Symon, Scott Conant, Maneet Chauhan, Antonia Lofaso, Marc Murphy,and more live on stage as they showcase their secrets, share expert tips, and prepare their signature dishes. Guests can learn how to decode a wine’s identity by analyzing its appearance, aroma, and palate at the Deductive Blind Tasting Seminar Hosted by The USA Wine Team from 2:00pm – 4:00pm in the Earth Ballroom. This immersive seminar introduces guests to the art of blind tasting through a structured, sensory-driven approach. From 4:00pm – 6:00pm in the Earth Ballroom, guests can step into an evening of rare discovery at Vintage Cru Hosted by The USA Wine Team. Vintage Cru is designed for true connoisseurs—an intimate tasting experience featuring some of the world’s most revered and cellar-worthy wines. Day Two of Spirits & Cigars Presented by Mohegan Sun’s Barrel Select Program is set to take place from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Clay Pipe Cigar Bar and guests can take a deeper dive into the world of premium spirits and cigars. One of Sun Wine & Food Fest’s most anticipated events, Celebrity Chef Dine Around, will take place from 8:00pm – 10:30pm in the Uncas Ballroom and will bring together more than 20 acclaimed chefs including Rocco DiSpirito, Robert Irvine, Gabe Bertaccini, and more, each presenting a signature dish crafted to surprise and inspire. From bold innovations to refined classics, this is a rare opportunity to taste the vision of chefs who are shaping the future of food.
Sunday, January 25th
Day four of Sun Wine & Food Fest 2026 will feature a WSET Level 1 Training & Certification from Noon – 2:00pm in the Earth Expo & Convention Center Meeting Rooms. Whether guests are starting their journey into the world of wine or seeking a structured foundation, this exclusive session will provide those in attendance with essential skills to taste, assess, and appreciate wine at a deeper level. Spaces are limited, guests must secure their place by Monday, January 12, 2026.
The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation is the official charity of the 22nd Annual Sun Wine & Food Fest. The foundation’s mission is to carry on Denise’s passionate efforts to support advances in medicine and health, promote responsibility in the media, and assist those facing physical and mental challenges, while encouraging openness, courage and kindness in all endeavors. These causes were particularly close to Denise’s heart, and your generous donation will greatly assist in providing worthy organizations the support they need. Learn more about this incredible organization to benefit causes close to Denise’s heart at, https://thedenisefoundation.com/. A portion of every event ticket sold to Sun Wine & Food Fest benefits The Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation.
For the full list of Sun Wine & Food Fest events, visit the Mohegan Sun website.
Media coverage opportunities at Sun Wine & Food Fest are available. For more information, please contact Senior PR Specialist Jack Graham at [email protected].
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
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Sep 28, 2017 | Food & Beverage, Special Events
Tickets for the 15th annual Sun Wine & Food Fest go on sale Friday, October 6th!
UNCASVILLE, CT (September 28, 2017) – Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, food enthusiast or simply looking for an exciting weekend, you’ll find it all at Sun Wine & Food Fest! Kicking off on January 26th at Mohegan Sun and ending Sunday evening, Sun Wine & Food Fest returns with its signature showcases including the Grand Tasting and Celebrity Chef Dine Around. Sip and sample your way through a jam-packed lineup including the return of Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart and the addition of Divine Delights, a sweet pairing of decadent treats and dessert wines.
Bourbon Tasting presented by Beam, Inc. and Bear’s Smokehouse
Start your weekend early and taste a variety of fine bourbons during the Bourbon Tasting inside the Uncas Ballroom. Mix and mingle at the tasting while enjoying top-quality bourbon along with delectable food provided by Bear’s Restaurant Group and a cigar courtesy of Boutique Cigar.
Friday, January 26th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Tickets to the Bourbon Tasting are $90.00 per person.
Divine Delights presented by E & J Gallo Winery
The Sun Wine & Food Fest sweetens the deal this year with an all-new event! Divine Delights is your passport to explore a world of decadent desserts paired with the perfect wine to savor every sweet bite. Presented by E & J Gallo Winery, Divine Delights is an after-dinner treat you’ll want to save room for!
Friday, January 26th from 8:00pm to 11:00pm in the Uncas Ballroom.
Tickets for Divine Delights presented by E & J Gallo Winery are $90.00 per person.
The Grand Tasting
Sample over 1,000 varieties of wines and beer during Sun Wine & Food Fest’s main event, the Grand Tasting! Sip and sample some of the best wine and beer, as well as an array of specialty spirits inside the Convention Center. Plus, foodies can sample signature dishes from the region’s most highly rated restaurants. The Main Culinary Stage is the backdrop for two days of celebrity chef demonstrations along with fun-filled contests.
Saturday, January 27th from Noon to 5:00pm.
Tickets to the Sun Wine & Food Fest Grand Tasting are $99.00 per person.
Vintage Cru Tasting
Taste the “best-of-the-best” vintages from around the world and get one-on-ones with the winemakers during the Sun Wine & Food Fest Vintage Cru Tasting. Learn the principles behind their craft and get a closer look into some of the finer wines Sun Wine & Food Fest has to offer. Sponsored by Big Rock Oyster, Vermont Creamery and Celebrity Cruise Lines, inside The Cabaret Theatre.
Saturday, January 27th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Tickets to Vintage Cru Tasting are $150.00 per person. The ticket price includes the Vintage Cru Tasting and a $50.00 iGourmet gift card. Tickets do not include access to the Grand Tasting.
Celebrity Chef Dine Around
Guests are invited to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around to watch the masters at work in the Uncas Ballroom. Celebrity chefs such as Alex Guarnaschelli, Rocco Dispirito and Todd English will be on-hand serving up their best recipes at several live cooking stations. Enjoy the pairing of fine wine or premium beer to complement each signature dish.
Saturday, January 27th from 8:00pm to 10:30pm.
Tickets to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around are $199.00 per person.
Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart
She’s a world-renowned household name and she’s ready to put her spin on Sun Wine & Food Fest’s Sunday Brunch. Domestic diva Martha Stewart hosts the ultimate feast of savory food and drink during this exclusive brunch event.
Sunday, January 28th from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Tickets to Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart are $90.00 per person.
Sun Wine & Food Fest Ticket Packages
Gain entry into the Friday night Bourbon Tasting and the Saturday Sun Wine & Food Fest Grand Tasting with the Grain & Grapes Package. The package is $150.00 and includes entry into both events.
Or, bundle the events on Friday including the Bourbon Tasting and Divine Delights presented by E & J Gallo Winery with the Grain & Goodies Package. The package is $150.00 and includes entry into both events.
The Saturday Food & Wine Package is a perfect choice for guests interested in the Grand Tasting and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around. The package is $250.00 and includes entry into both events.
Select the Winemakers and Chefs Package for access to fine wine and signature dishes at the Vintage Cru Tasting and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around. The package is $300.00 per person and includes entry into both events.
Guests looking to experience a little bit of everything are able to purchase the Food & Wine Weekend Package which includes entry into the Grand Tasting, the Celebrity Chef Dine Around and Sunday Brunch with Martha Stewart. The package is $325.00 per person and includes entry into all three events.
For more information about all Sun Wine & Food Fest 2018 events, featured personalities, packages, hours and area hotel information, download the Sun Wine & Food Fest app or visit our website.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Aug 28, 2014 | Food & Beverage, General News, Special Events
Tickets for the 12th annual Sun WineFest go on sale Friday, August 29th
Uncasville, CT (August 28, 2014) – Join Mohegan Sun for the 12th annual Sun WineFest on January 23, 24 & 25, 2015 and uncork a weekend full of fine wine, great food, celebrity chefs and more. Tickets for all Sun WineFest events go on sale Friday, August 29th through Ticketmaster and the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
The Grand Tasting
Sample over 1,000 varieties of wine and beer during Sun WineFest’s main event, the Sun WineFest Grand Tasting, on Saturday, January 24th and Sunday, January 25th. Browse your way through endless selections from Bogle Vineyards, Bravium, Winebow, Otter Creek, Harpoon and many more inside the Convention Center and Uncas Ballroom. Choice menu items from some of the region’s best restaurants will also be available for purchase including Bella Bella Gourmet Foods and First & Last Tavern.
Tickets to the Saturday Sun WineFest Grand Tasting are $90.00; tickets for the Sunday tasting are $70.00. The event runs from Noon to 5:00pm both days.
Bourbon Tasting
Get a jump start on Sun WineFest and take part in the Friday, January 23rd Bourbon Tasting inside the Uncas Ballroom. The tasting, which runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm is presented by Jim Beam and invites guests to sample a variety of fine bourbons. Dine on delectable hors d’oeuvres and round out the evening by sampling an array of cigars.
Tickets to the Bourbon Tasting presented by Jim Beam are $90.00 per person.
Elite Cru Tasting
Taste “the-best-of-the-best” vintages and get one-on-ones with the winemakers during the Sun WineFest Elite Cru Tasting. Learn the principals behind their craft and get a closer look into some of the finer wines Sun WineFest has to offer.
This year there will be two tastings, both on Saturday, January 24th. The first session runs from Noon to 2:00pm; the second tasting runs from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Tickets to the Elite Cru Tasting are $210.00 each. The ticket price includes the Elite Cru Tasting as well as entry into Saturday’s Sun WineFest Grand Tasting.
Celebrity Chef Dine Around
On Saturday, January 24th guests are invited to the Celebrity Chef Dine Around to watch the masters at work. Celebrity chefs will be on-hand serving up their best recipes at several live cooking stations. Enjoy the pairing of fine wine or premium beer to match each signature dish.
The Celebrity Chef Dine Around will take place inside the Uncas Ballroom from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Tickets are $200.00 each.
Sun WineFest Grain & Grapes Ticket Package
Gain entry into the Friday night Bourbon Tasting presented by Jim Beam and the Saturday Sun WineFest Grand Tasting with this year’s special Grain & Grapes Ticket Package. The package is $145.00 and includes entry into both events.
For more information about all Sun WineFest 2015 events, featured personalities, hours and area hotel information, visit sunwinefest.com or on Facebook and Twitter.
About Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
Dec 15, 2008 | Food & Beverage, Special Events
Finalists to compete on the Main Stage on Saturday, January 17th
Calling all chefs…SUN WINEFEST is looking for the region’s most talented chefs to compete in the 5th Annual Chef Showdown competition. The chef who presents the most creative, unique, inspiring, and of course tasty dish wins a grand prize of $4,000 and an exclusive two-night VIP stay at Mohegan Sun. The second place winner receives $1,000. The finals will take place on the Main Stage during the Grand Tasting at SUN WINEFEST on Saturday, January 17th.
Presented by Contessa Premium Foods and Hatfield Quality Meats, the Chef Showdown requires contestants to submit an original recipe that utilizes Contessa Uncooked Tail-On Shrimp of any size and Hatfield Pork Ribeez as the primary ingredients. From the entries received, two recipes will be chosen by a panel of culinary judges. The two finalists will compete on the Main Stage at SUN WINEFEST during the Grand Tasting on Saturday, January 17th. Each chef will prepare their original recipe to determine the winner.
The deadline for applications is January 2, 2009 – only one entry per chef is allowed. To submit a recipe, visit sunwinefest.com/chefs.htm for a registration form and official rules.
The main event at SUN WINEFEST 2009 is the Grand Tasting, which will be held in Mohegan Sun’s Convention Center on Saturday, January 17th and Sunday, January 18th, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm each day. More than 1,000 fine wines provided by international wineries, samplings of worldwide craft beers and trappist ales, tastings from some of the best restaurants and exhibitors showcasing related services such as wine storage, culinary accessories and specialty foods will be featured. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear commentary from the winemakers and experts and enjoy delicacies from some of the region’s finest restaurants by purchasing tasting portions of their signature dishes.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $70.00 for a one-day pass and $110.00 for a weekend pass, and may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 860.886.0070, or in-person at Mohegan Sun’s Box Office. To purchase weekend passes for the Grand Tasting please call 860.862.8499 or visit the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Proceeds from the Grand Tasting will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Seminars are additional and may be purchased through the Mohegan Sun Box Office, by visiting sunwinefest.com or by calling Life Marketing & Events at 860.953.0444 ext. 144. A Grand Tasting ticket is not required to attend seminars.
SUN WINEFEST 2009 is a production of Life Marketing and Events, a West Hartford, Connecticut-based, full service firm that specializes in marketing, event management and production, public relations, sponsorship, advertising sales, creative design, promotions, publishing and more.
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States. Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.
