October 29 & 30, 2021
Whether you’re seeking to delve into the details of wine blending or just looking for a few good eats, you’re sure to find a culinary experience you’ll enjoy. Appropriately taking place at the home of extraordinary culinary talent, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin showcases a passion for food and beverage. Conveniently taking place during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and located just a short walk from Epcot, this event offers foodies the ideal opportunity to continue their culinary experience while enjoying the festivities at Epcot.
The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is a two-night event is held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, with chefs from the hotel’s 17 award-winning restaurants and lounges. Stroll the causeway on Crescent Lake immersed in a culinary festival with live music and different tasting stations from restaurants such as Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Todd English’s bluezoo, and more.
Beverage stations at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic will offer mini-learning experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake and beer. Those looking for a more in-depth experience can choose from a variety of hour-long beverage seminars taught by certified wine sommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’s team. Attendees will learn drink origins, pairing tips and enjoy an informative tasting experience.
The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is open to the general public, so regardless of where you are staying, at the Swan or Dolphin Resort or at a Disney-owned resort, you can still purchase causeway event tickets, seminar tickets or even a la carte tickets and have a great evening.
The following is from 2018. Details will be updated when they are released.
2018 Annual Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Information
2018 Information
On October 28, Il Mulino New York Trattoria will host the Sunday Bubbles Brunch with J Vineyards and Winery. From 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., this lavish brunch will feature traditional and not-so-traditional items, including a variety of cured meats, imported cheeses, an array of sushi and trattoria inspired entrees. A la carte options prepared to order by our award-winning chefs will also be available. One glass of champagne or specialty mimosa will be included, along with the option to upgrade to bottomless champagne and mimosas at the time of seating. The Sunday Bubbles Brunch is just $88.50 and can be reserved online or by calling 888-828-8850.
Causeway Food & Wine Tasting
Stroll the causeway on Crescent Lake to immerse in a culinary festival with live music and over 30 different tasting stations from the resort’s award-winning restaurants and lounges. This event will take place from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. both evenings of the event.
Causeway only tickets are $119.55 inclusive per person
Causeway tickets include as much food & beverage as you care to sample on a single day of the event, and it’s all paid for in advance with your ticket!
Purchase tickets.
Causeway & Beer Garden tickets are $145.90 inclusive per person
Causeway tickets include as much food & beverage as you care to sample and Beer Garden admission on a single day of the event, and it’s all paid for in advance with your ticket!
Purchase tickets.
A La Carte tickets will be available for purchase at the event. A La Carte ticket booklets containing 25 tickets will be available for purchase at the event at a cost of $50. These tickets are perfect for those with a lighter appetite and for young children. Offerings range from two to six tickets per item.
Of course, the food and drink will be exceptional, but the Swan and Dolphin will also offer live entertainment performing in the famous Dolphin clamshell fountain on both evenings.
Educational Seminars
In addition to the Classic Event on the Causeway, participants may chose to purchase an additional ticket for one of the following Educational Seminars. Causeway tickets and seminar tickets each sold separately.
Food Pairing Experiences – $80.04 per person
The Fine Art of Sushi and Sake – Oct. 26, 2018 4:00 p.m.
The art of sushi combined with the masterful brewing of Japanese sake will take you on short trip to Japan. This course will provide the guest with the ability to identify quality sushi and further make informed decisions on sake pairing, typical flavor profiles, and styles when purchasing sake.
Instructors: Chef Robert Ciborowski, Complex Executive Chef
Joe O’Donnell, Certified Sake Professional, Associate Director of Event Management
Purchase Ticket
The Cheese Course – Oct. 27, 2018 2:30 p.m.
Experience the nuances of the many different styles of cheese and how they are a natural match to the rich and varied options of Port wine. An homage to fromage, this class will offer a unique look at wine and cheese pairing.
Instructors: Chef Olivier Zambaux, Certified Sommelier, Director of Banquets
Ed DiAntonio, CMP, CPCE, Certified Sommelier, Director of Catering/Event Management
Purchase Ticket
Pasta Making With Chef Cib – Oct. 27, 2018 2:30 p.m.
Experience the art of Pasta Making with Chef Robert Ciborowski, our Executive Chef and culinary mastermind behind the Food & Wine classic! Interact with key members of our culinary team while assisting with the preparation of 3 different specialty pastas, learn how to prepare pasta dough from scratch, take this opportunity to acquire Grandma Cib’s family recipe for potato gnocchi. Enjoy your pasta with a glass of wine from our Chef’s home state of California!
Instructor: Chef Robert Ciborowski, Complex Executive Chef
Purchase Ticket
Beverage Seminars Pricing – $47.10 per person
Wine Blending Seminar – Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 4:30 p.m. and Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 4:30 p.m.
Swan and Dolphin certified sommeliers believe there is no better way to truly learn about wine than to taste it! During this hands-on seminar, we will break down the components of barrel samples while discussing the origins of the wine, review the plush varieties of grapes, and take a step-by-step look at the delicate wine making process. The real fun begins with an opportunity to blend your very own meritage! Become more adventurous and knowledgeable about the art of wine and always purchase the right bottle for any occasion.
Instructor: Luciano Sperduto
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / Asst. Director of Food & Beverage
Purchase Ticket
Base to Bubbles – Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 4:30 p.m.
Learn the basics of champagne, including the importance of the grapes, land, climate, and viticulture to the process. Be introduced to the five key regions of Champagne and the different champagne styles in all areas of the world. Hone sight, smell and taste as we finish with a blind champagne tasting.
Instructor: Olivier Zambaux
Certified Sommelier / Director of Banquets
Purchase Ticket
Beer, Please! – Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 4:30 p.m.
Does your beer knowledge start with “Bud” and end with “weiser”? Expand your beer horizons with micro brews and craft beers from around the world. Discover the process behind different brews and their impact on the food and beverage industry during the past few years as well as future trends. After completing a lesson on the brewing process, enjoy a personal tasting of the multiple styles of beer and perfect food pairings for any meal.
Instructor: Brian Exner
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / General Manager of Il Mulino
Instructor: DJ Robertson
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / Food and Beverage Purchasing Manager
Purchase Ticket
Craft Cocktails – Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 4:30 p.m. and Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 4:30 p.m.
Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz, Cosmopolitan; what makes all of these cocktails classics? Break down the components of a great cocktail and learn how to make them at home. Step into our bar and explore the art of craft cocktails.
Instructor: Ariel Bruckner,
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier, Assistant General Manager – Bluezoo
Purchase Ticket
Riesling, So Sweet and Dry – Fri, Oct. 26, 2018 – 4:30 pm
Discover the broad range of Riesling styles. Known mostly for its highly aromatic and sweet honey flavor profile, we will discuss (and taste!) both dry and sweet variations as well as light to full-bodied alternatives. The versatility of this noble grape allows for pairing with anything from salads to seafood to sweets.
Instructor: Jenna Kunster
Certified Sommelier, Sales Manager, Catering
Purchase Tickets
Italian Wines – “It’s Better to Wine in Italian!” Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 4:30 pm and Sat. Oct 27, 2018 4:30 pm
Take a journey with us through the three main wine regions of Italy. This class will showcase the passion Italians have for their wine and how they are influenced by their food! Experience the history of the wines and how they have evolved to the modern palate without compromising their Italian traditions!
Instructor: Kristian Laplante: Certified Sommelier, Director of Restaurants
The Grand Tasting – $282.33 per person
“Best of the Best” Grand Cru Tasting – Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 2:00 p.m.
Grand Cru wines are the best of the best! The term “Grand Cru” means great growth and has historic significance in France. Grand Cru wines can age for decades and sell for exorbitant prices on the auction market. Want to know what makes these wines the best and find out whether Grand Cru quality exists outside of France? This limited seating tasting will explore classic Grand Crus (think Latour), their modern-day contemporaries (Vega Sicilia, Marchesi), and answer all of your Grant Cru questions. Join Master Sommelier Matthew Citriglia in a deep dive of Grand Crus to discover what it takes to make an iconic wine of historic significance.
The Grand Tasting Experience includes a Champagne reception, 3 flights of Grand Cru wines, and Chef’s Table menu pairings from our Executive Chef Robert Ciborowski.
Instructor: Matthew Citriglia MS
Southern Glazer’s Director of Wine Education, Master Sommelier
Assistant: Luciano Sperduto
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier, Asst Director of Food & Beverage
For the latest information on the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic, visit the Swan and Dolphin web site.
Epcot, which is right around the corner, also offers an International Food and Wine Festival in the fall
Look into other annual events at Disney World