Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival 2026 – Grand Tasting Village held at Kensico Dam in Valhalla, New York, was the ultimate foodie day complete with a wide variety of wine, food, spirits to sample, wine seminars by renowned wine expert, author and educator Kevin Zraly in the Connoisseurs Tent, and chef demos by chefs Brian Lewis from OKO, Marc Taxiera and Brianne Meyers of Augustine’s Salumeria e Pasta Joint and Vida, Anthony Gonçalves of Kanopi Restaurant, and Michael Psilakis of MP Taverna. If you missed attending this year, be sure to mark your calendars to attend next year.
Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival 2026 – Grand Tasting Village held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Kensico Dam in Valhalla, New York was part of the 6-day food and wine festival that celebrates the culinary riches of the area. Every day featured something interesting centered around food and wine and attracted foodies and wine connoisseurs to partake of the fun and excitement.
Kevin Zraly
We enjoyed strolling and sampling our way through the Grand Tasting Village, the Connoisseur’s Tent where we “discovered” some well-kept secret vintages and said hello to some old “vintage friends” and attended one of Kevin Zraly’s interesting wine seminars, attended three of the Chef Demos, and of course, sampled the delicious food.
Chef Demos sponsored by Wegmans, Häcker Kitchens, and The Royal Green Appliance Company
We attended three out of the four chef demos, and all were interesting.
Chef Brian Lewis
Chef Brian Lewis from OKO, Marc Taxiera and Brianne Meyers of Augustine’s Salumeria e Pasta Joint, and Vida, and Michael Psilakis of MP Taverna.
Tara Rosenblum from News Channel 12 and Kate Schlientz Contributing Food Editor for Westchester Magazine kept the audience engaged and involved during the demos.
Connoisseur’s Tent – Wine Sampling
The Connoisseur Tent offered an outstanding selection of wines in various price points ranging from $35.99 to $299.00. Here is a selection of some of the interesting wines we sampled.
Bevan Cellars (St. Helena, California) founded in 2005
Bevan Cellars Ontogeny 2023
2023 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny
$95.99
Bevan Cellars EE Proprietary Red 2023
2023 Bevan Cellars EE Proprietary Red
$189.00
Billecart-Salmon Champagne (France): Family owned and independent since 1818.
NV Billecart-Salmon Le Blanc De Blancs
NV Billecart-Salmon Le Blanc de Blancs
100% Chardonnay aged in steel tanks, crisp, dry, 12% Alcohol
$91.99
NV Billecart-Salmon Le Sous Bois Extra Brut
NV Billecart-Salmon Le Sous-Bois Extra Brut
This bottle has a special oak barrel label as it was aged in oak, 12% Alcohol
$89.99
Billecart-Salmon Le Rosé 2015
2015 Billecart-Salmon Le Rose
This is “Elizabeth” declassified, stunning color, delicious, 12.5% Alcohol
$99.99
Bilecart-Salmon Extra Brut Vintage 2018 – 250th Anniversary
Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut Vintage 2018 – 250th Anniversary Cuvée
This special vintage celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the 200th anniversary of the house of Billecart-Salmon. There is a Statue of Liberty on the label and special design on the metal top. 12% Alcohol
$99.99
Louis Roederer Champagnes (France) – Independent and family run since 1883
Louis Roederer Brut Nature Starck Blanc 2018
2018 Louis Roederer Brut Nature Starck Blanc
Estate: “La Rivière”, 12.5% Alcohol
$89.99
Ridge Winery (California)
Ridge Monte Bello 2022
2022 Ridge Monte Bello
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 13.8 % Alcohol
Luscious, plum and violet notes.
$279.00
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (California) – Established in 1970
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis 2022
2022 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis
Lush fruit, balanced with structure, and elegance, 14,8% Alcohol
$69.99
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY 2023
2023 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY
Heady aromatics, structure, rich berry flavors, 14% Alcohol
$165.00
Connoisseur Tent – Some of the Food SampledLog Out
Talia – Chicken Bolognese
Talia, Port Chester, NY
Chicken Bolognese, creamy polenta, parmesan cheese, basil, partanna olive oil
808 Bistro – Grilled Peach & Stracciatella Cheese
The 808 Bistro, Scarsdale, NY
Pineapple cucumber gazpacho, Grilled peach and stracciatella cheese on crostini with honey drizzle
The Sea Fire Grill – Tuna Tartare
The Sea Fire Grill, Yonkers, NY
Tuna Tartare Waffle Cups
VIDA – Shrimp Octopus Ceviche
Vida, Thornwood, NY
Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche
Grand Tasting Village Spirits and Cocktails
Astral Tequila (Mexico)
Espresso Martini, Astral Blanco Tequila, Mr. Black, Cold Bres, Agave
Lychee Margarita, Astral Blanco Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Lychee Syrup, Agave
Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs (Dominican Republic)
Passionfruit Liqueur, Pineapple Liqueur, Mango Liqueur
Dulce Vida Organic Tequila
Dulce Vida Organic Tequila (Mexico)
El Tequileño Tequila
El Tequileño Tequila (Mexico)
Blanco, Cristalino, Reposado
Fior Scotch Whisky (Scotland)
Four Roses Bourbon (Kentucky, USA) (Established 1888)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel (50% Alcohol), Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch Select Bourbon (52% Alcohol)
LALO Tequila (Mexico)
Watermelon Margarita, LALO Tequila, Fresh Watermelon Juice, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave
Liquore Strega (Italy)
The Mule: Liquore Strega, Owen’s Ginger Beer, Angostura Bitters, Mint Leaf garnish
Tres Papalote Mezcal Artesdanal Joven
Tres Papalote Mezcal Artesanal Joven (Mexico)
43% Alcohol, 98 Points by Annuario Dei Migliori Vini Italiani Luca Maroni
Truman Vodka (Austria)
Freezer Door Martini: Truman Vodka served with an Olive
Nitro Espresso Martini: Truman Vodka, Organic Espresso, Organic Simple Syrup
Grand Tasting Village Wines
Cantine Di Ora Amarone Della Vapolicella 2023
2023 Cantine Di Ora Amarone Della Valpolicella (Italy)
15.5% Alcohol
Grand Tasting Village Food Sampled
Falafel Taco
Falafel Taco Mex-Raeli Cuisine, Pleasantville, NY
Traditional Chickpea Falafel, hummus, tahini. Israeli salad
Mexighanoush Black Bean Falafel
Hillside Provisions, West Harrison, NY
Charred Stonefruit Panzanella, house burrata, tomato, grilled sourdough
Marigold Indian Cuisine, Eastchester, NY
Lentil & Rice Khichdi with Kebab
Mostly Dough Pizza
Mostly Dough Pizza, Rockland County, NY
Sourdough Margarita, tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil
Sourdough Pepperoni and Hot Honey tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, housemade hot honey
Nathalie’s Cookies
Nathalie’s Cookies, Tarrytown, NY
Chocolate Chip Cookies served warm
Sambal Thai & Malaysian, Irvington, NY
Halal Meatballs: Beef and chicken meatballs, savory tamarind sauce with fried garlic
Participating Restaurants:
Allegria Ristorante
Anasa Greek Kitchen
Artesano Empanadas
Augustines Salumeria/Vida
Augustines Salumeria/Vida
Benjamin Steakhouse
Boleria Brazilian Bakery
Bronx Little Italy
Cafe Nelo
Café Nelo
Carlo’s Italian Restaurant
Chatterbox Restaurant & Bar
Cifone’s
Coffee Labs Roasters
Falafel Taco
Felice
Grey’s Mini Donuts
Guard Dog BBQ & Spices
Hillside Provisions
Il Cornetto New York
Italian Oven
Janniello’s Specialty Foods
Marigold – Lentil & Rice Khichdi with Chicken Kebab
Marigold
Meritage Restaurant
Meritage Restaurant
Osteria Padre Pio
Pax Romana
RaaSa
Risotto Restaurant
Santorini Greek Restaurant
The 808 Bistro
The Grand
The Sea Fire Grill
Town House Kitchen + Drinks
Chef Demos
Anthony Goncalves – Kanopi
Chef Brian Lewis & Chef Duane Shand
Brian Lewis – OKO with Duane Shand – OKO
Chef Michael Psilakis & Kate Schlientz
Michael Psilakis – MP Taverna
Chef Marc Taxiera
Marc Taxiera & Brianne Myers – Augustine’s Salumeria
Tara Rosenblum – Chef Demo Emcee
Erika Vetrii – Television Host & Lifestyle Personality
Until next time, cheers and Bon Appetit!
Read more about Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival in the Gastronomy section.
For more information on Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival or to purchase tickets for the next events, please visit the website: https://westchestermagazine.com/events/wine-and-food/
Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival – Social Media:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/westchestermagevents @westchestermagevents
#westchestermagazine
#WMWineandFood
Website: https://westchestermagazine.com/events/wine-and-food
Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors
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Kensico Dam Plaza
1 Bronx River Parkway
Valhalla, New York 10595
United States
Telephone: +1-914-231-4033
Website: https://parksevents.westchestercountyny.gov/venue/kensico-dam-plaza-2/
For more information on Kensico Dam Plaza or their upcoming events, please visit the website: https://parksevents.westchestercountyny.gov/venue/kensico-dam-plaza-2/
Chef Brian Lewis & Debra C. Argen
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See you at the Grand Tasting 2027!
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