Basser’s Annual Food and Wine Festival returns with more than 175 wines from around the world alongside local restaurants live music and craft beer
Coral Springs, Florida – Food lovers and wine enthusiasts will soon have another opportunity to sample flavors from around the world as Basser’s Annual Food and Wine Festival prepares to return for its sixth year. The popular South Florida event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23, bringing together an extensive collection of wines, local restaurants, craft beer, and live entertainment under one roof.
This year’s festival will be held inside the Grand Ballroom at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and attendance is limited to guests who are at least 21 years old.
Over the past several years, the festival has evolved from a local gathering into a highly anticipated annual celebration for wine enthusiasts across the region. Organizers say the event has continued to expand while keeping the experience personal and welcoming.
Owner Emily Basser credits that steady growth to a straightforward philosophy centered on pairing exceptional wines with quality local cuisine.
“This is the sixth annual Food and Wine Festival,” Basser tells Coral Springs Talk, adding. “We bring the best wines in the world to the show and pair them with the best local restaurants in the area.”
That formula has helped establish the festival as a destination for both experienced wine collectors and casual attendees looking to explore new flavors. This year’s event is expected to feature its largest wine collection yet, giving guests access to bottles from numerous wine-producing regions around the globe.
“This year we will feature over 175 wines from around the world, including more than 20 over $100 per bottle, all included in the ticket price,” Basser said.
Among the premium selections expected to be available are wines from renowned producers such as Continuum, Darioush, Soul of The Lion, Beringer Private Reserve, Merry Edwards, Joseph Phelps, Aperture, along with a variety of smaller-production wines that are often difficult to find in traditional retail settings.
Food will play an equally important role throughout the afternoon. Fifteen local restaurants and specialty food vendors are expected to participate, offering guests a wide range of dishes designed to complement the featured wines.
Among the participating businesses are Eddie and Vinnie, Livello, A Flair for Fudge, All Star Pizza, Bravo Peruvian, The Cook and The Cork, Ember and Vine, Ethos Greek Bistro, JP Delights, Simmis Bakehouse, Tiff Bakes Minis, and the Wispy Whisk. Organizers say the variety of participating restaurants reflects the diverse dining scene found throughout the local community.
In addition to wine tastings and culinary offerings, visitors can also enjoy live music and craft beer, creating an atmosphere that blends fine dining with relaxed entertainment.
While many food and wine festivals attract thousands of attendees, Basser says maintaining a boutique experience remains one of the event’s defining features. Rather than focusing on maximum attendance, organizers intentionally keep the crowd smaller to encourage conversations between guests, restaurants, wineries, and distributors.
“You get amazing wines, great food, live music and no huge crowds,” Basser said. “We limit the number of people so that you can get one-on-one time with the vendors.”
To preserve that experience, ticket sales are capped at 600 attendees. The attendance limit is intended to give visitors better access to winemakers and exhibitors while avoiding the long lines and overcrowding that can accompany larger festivals.
Basser also wants newcomers to feel comfortable, regardless of how much they know about wine. She says the event is designed to remove the intimidation that sometimes surrounds wine tastings and instead create an enjoyable experience for everyone.
“The festival has no pretense,” Basser said. “If you have never attended a Food and Wine Festival or you’ve been to many, you will enjoy it all the same. We make it casual and fun first.”
Looking beyond this year’s event, organizers already have an eye on the future. Basser hopes the festival will continue growing into one of South Florida’s signature culinary celebrations without losing the welcoming atmosphere that has defined it since the beginning.
“Eventually, we would like this to be a full weekend of events and winemaker tastings.”
With a record number of wines, a strong lineup of local restaurants, live entertainment, and intentionally limited attendance, the sixth annual Basser’s Food and Wine Festival is expected to once again offer guests an intimate tasting experience that celebrates both world-class wines and the vibrant local food scene.
