Upcoming · Annually in January

Winter Wine Festival

Name: Winter Wine Festival
Start: 2027-01-01
End: 2027-01-01
Location: New Hampshire

Winter Wine Festival in New Castle, NH — 22nd annual event at historic Wentworth by the Sea. Jan 23–Feb 15, 2026. Big Tasting from $75.

Best for couples Best for foodies grand tasting 21+ only

When

Annually in January

Where

, NH

Tickets

TBA

Annually in January

TBA

Get tickets

Quick facts

At a glance.

Dates

Annually in January

Duration

Single day

Best for

Couples, Foodies

Atmosphere

Upscale

Food

Bring or buy nearby

Age

21+ only

The story

About this festival.

Winter Wine Festival is an annual grand tasting wine festival held each January and February at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire — now in its 22nd year, the 2026 edition runs January 23rd through February 15th across a historic coastal resort built in 1874. The festival brings together winery representatives pouring premium wines from around the globe alongside the culinary team at Wentworth by the Sea, a property ranked among the Top 25 Best Hotel Portfolios in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards.

Winter Wine Festival spans nearly four weeks and features a structured lineup of distinct events rather than a single tasting day. The Big Tasting with RNDC, held in the Grand Ballroom on February 13th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, is a walk-around format with numerous wine and food stations and live jazz performed by recording artists Chris Klaxton and Jimmy Clark; tickets are $75 per person plus a 20% service charge and 8.5% tax. Grand Vintner's Dinners are multi-course seated events paired with visiting winery representatives: the January 31st dinner features Jackson Family Wines' Randy Ullom — named Wine Enthusiast's 2022 American Wine Legend — at $110 per person; the February 7th dinner spotlights Owen Roe Family Wines at $120 per person; and the February 14th dinner showcases Rombauer Vineyards at $170 per person. Additional programming includes weekday Flight Nights, a Bubbles & Jazz Brunch, and Shell-Shocked, an oyster event held in SALT's lounge.

The festival takes place at 588 Wentworth Road on the island of New Castle, less than ten minutes from downtown Portsmouth and connected to the mainland by bridge. The hotel offers a nightly shuttle to downtown Portsmouth until 10:30pm, and the closest airport is Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, 7 miles away. A Valentine's Weekend Package covering February 13–15 is available and includes two nights of accommodations plus tickets to the festival's signature events for those looking to combine lodging with multiple events.

New Castle sits along New Hampshire's 18-mile seacoast, giving the festival a coastal character distinct from inland wine regions. While New Hampshire has no established AVA, the festival's programming draws producers from California's Sonoma County and Mendocino, the Pacific Northwest, and international wine regions, making it a cross-regional tasting opportunity anchored in a 150-year-old oceanfront property.

Getting there

Location & logistics.

Location coming soon

What to expect

The experience.

What you'll pour

A mix of varietals from regional producers. Start light, work toward the bigger reds.

The setting

In , New Hampshire. Check the venue page for layout details.

The crowd

A mix of regulars and newcomers. Knowledgeable pourers happy to walk you through what you're tasting.

Worth the trip

Arrive early, hit your must-try wineries first, then wander. That's the move.

Reviews

What people are saying.

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Frequently asked

Common questions.

When is Winter Wine Festival?

Winter Wine Festival 2026 runs January 23rd through February 15th at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, New Hampshire. The festival spans nearly four weeks, with individual events on specific dates including the Big Tasting on February 13th and Vintner's Dinners on January 31st, February 7th, and February 14th. Check the official website for the full event calendar.

How much are tickets to Winter Wine Festival?

Ticket prices at Winter Wine Festival in New Castle, New Hampshire vary by event. The Big Tasting with RNDC is $75 per person plus a 20% service charge and 8.5% tax. Vintner's Dinners range from $110 to $170 per person depending on the featured winery. A Valentine's Weekend Package combining two nights of lodging with event tickets is also available.

What is included in Winter Wine Festival events?

Winter Wine Festival at Wentworth by the Sea includes different offerings per event. The Big Tasting is a walk-around format with numerous wine and food stations and live jazz. Vintner's Dinners are multi-course seated meals paired with visiting winery representatives. Additional events include Flight Nights, a Bubbles & Jazz Brunch, and Shell-Shocked, an oyster event in SALT's lounge.

Where is Winter Wine Festival held?

Winter Wine Festival is held at Wentworth by the Sea, located at 588 Wentworth Road on the island of New Castle, New Hampshire. The historic resort, built in 1874, sits on the Atlantic coast less than 10 minutes from downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is 7 miles away, and the hotel provides a nightly shuttle to downtown Portsmouth until 10:30pm.

Is VIP worth it at Winter Wine Festival?

Winter Wine Festival in New Castle, New Hampshire does not list a standard VIP ticket tier. The premium experience comes through the Vintner's Dinners, which range from $110 to $170 per person and include multi-course meals with visiting winemakers. The Valentine's Weekend Package, covering February 13–15, bundles two nights of hotel accommodations with tickets to multiple festival events for those seeking a full immersive experience.

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