Adirondack Wine & Food Festival Returns for 10th Anniversary

The Lake George Region’s Choice for Best Annual Event Returns June 27 & 28

Lake George, N.Y. – The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival returns to Lake George on Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28 to ring in its 10th anniversary. Recently named the #1 annual event by LakeGeorge.com voters, the Festival will feature 120+ of New York’s best wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, artisan food producers, food trucks, crafters, and more at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George Village.

“It’s been an incredible 10 years building the Adirondack Wine and Food Festival. To think that we started with only 40 mostly-wine vendors in the then brand-new festival commons, to missing two years due to COVID, to growing to the cornerstone event we have become for our region. I am very proud of the economic impact and fundraising we have generated not only for our community, but for the growth we have generated for our fellow
New York State craft beverage producers,” said Festival Founder and Adirondack Winery President, Sasha Pardy.

The family-friendly event is one of the most celebrated wine and food events in the Northeast, drawing visitors from 30 different states and Canada. Over 20% of attendance comes from outside of New York State. Now in its 10th year, the Festival anticipates 6,000+ young, affluent attendees – an important demographic for the region. According to post-fest surveys, 90% of attendees plan their Lake George stay specifically to attend the festival, generating over 8,000+ room nights and $3.5M in economic impact for the region. A total economic impact of $21M has been accumulated over the last 10 years.

This year’s festival beneficiaries are Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks (BBBS, returning for the 8th year, with over $100K in fundraising under their belt through the fest) and Soroptimist International of the Adirondacks (SIA, returning for their 2nd year). BBBS operates the Drop-Off / Pick-Up Tent, where guests can “check” the beverages and foods they purchase at the festival until they are ready to leave. They’ll also sell raffle tickets for amazing gift baskets filled with goodies from Festival vendors.

"We have developed a great partnership with the Festival team as their beneficiary. Their investment in our agency year after year ignites the potential of our local youth!" CEO/Executive Director Bill Moon states.

“Soroptimist of the Adirondacks is delighted to once again partner with the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival for 2026,” says Wanda Smith, Treasurer. “We're proud to support this wonderful community event and look forward to contributing our time and energy to its continued success. Please be sure to stop by and visit us at one of our tables – we'd love to see you there!” Soroptimist will be providing supplemental volunteer support for a variety of festival needs.

“It takes an army of dedicated volunteers, Adirondack Winery staff members and customers, friends and family, filling over 100 shifts throughout the weekend to pull off this event, and we are so grateful for their support,” added Pardy.

Attendees will have the opportunity to “try before they buy” from an incredible list of over 120 vendors, both new and returning, including Presenting Sponsor Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery, as well as 2025 People’s Choice Vote Winners, including High Peaks Distilling, Adirondack Brewery, Bull & Bee Meadery, Witches Brew by Dark Hollow Productions, Cheese Filled Company, The Mac Factor, and Besties Beyond the Bookmark. A full vendor list is provided below.

For discerning Festival go-ers, VIP tickets are back with an impressive VIP goodie bag, free entry into the brand-new Beer & Cider lounge presented by the Capital Craft Beverage Trail, front-row seats at the Taste NY Culinary Tent, a VIP Hangout area, and exclusive access to VIP restrooms! The Beer & Cider Lounge presented by the CCBT will offer more seating, live music performances, and larger sample pours from an exclusive group of vendors, including: Allied Brewing Company, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Common Roots Brewing Company, Kessler Brewing Company, Little Apple Cidery, & Old Klaverack Brewery.

In the VIP Hangout Tent, managed by Adirondack Brewery, attendees can purchase full glasses of Adirondack Brewery and Mean Max Beers, or Adirondack Winery wines, and sit back and relax with their friends.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will enjoy Culinary and Cocktail demonstrations and competitions under the exciting Taste NY Culinary & Cocktail Tent. These segments feature local chefs and mixologists as they prepare food and drinks made with ingredients supplied by Festival vendors. Plus, there will be two “Iron Chef”-style cooking competitions. The first will be held on Saturday, with the winner going head-to-head on Sunday against reigning champion, Chef Carl Weiner of Sans Souci; as well as a mixology competition on Sunday.

The Festival is excited to announce the return of Chef Sakari Smithwick, who will be holding culinary demonstrations over the weekend. Chef Smithwick gained recognition on FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen and the Food Network’s Chopped, but festival go-ers will remember him as the winner of the 2024 Adirondack Wine and Food Festival Culinary Competition!

New this year, the Taste NY Culinary & Cocktail Tent will feature some programming provided by the Hospitality Mental Wellness Initiative USA (HMWIUSA), who are dedicated to fighting & eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health within the hospitality industry. Chefs Jonathan Bardzik & Amy Riolo will be holding demonstrations throughout the weekend as well, whilst educating attendees about the non-profit’s mission.

Chef Bardzik is an author, retreat host, and television personality who has presented to more than 900 audiences nationwide, including appearances on the TEDx stage. He is the host of the tv program Jonathan’s Kitchen: Seasons to Taste, the author of three published cookbooks, and has been featured by many well-known outlets. Chef Riolo is an award-winning chef, television personality, culinary ambassador, and best-selling author of 16 published books, including several #1 releases, who has appeared on multiple major networks. She was named a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic and is a frequent speaker and culinary expert for established organizations.

The festival isn’t just for attendees 21+; all ages are welcome!

“Over the past 10 years, the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival has continued to grow alongside our audience, and we’re excited to expand the event with more family-friendly activities, wellness-focused offerings, and non-alcoholic options while still keeping New York’s incredible craft beverage industry at the heart of the experience. We encourage families and locals, especially, to attend on Sunday for a more laid-back atmosphere, with kids' activities, food trucks, artisan vendors, non-alcoholic beverages, and nearby attractions like the natural playground and skatepark, making the Festival enjoyable for guests of all ages,” said Festival Manager, Brad Willett.

Attendees don’t have to worry about arriving to the Festival in style. As the official Transportation Sponsor, a dedicated CDTA shuttle will transport festival go-ers to and from the festival via parking lots at the Lake George Elementary School and Lake George Village Hall. Uber & Lyft are also highly encouraged.

Festival Details:

When: Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(VIP Ticket Holder Entry starts at 10 am each day)

Where: Charles R. Wood Festival Commons | 17 West Brook Road, Lake George, NY 12845. Page 2 of 5

Vendors: