DEERFIELD VALLEY- The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival returns to the Deerfield Valley and organizers are excited about what lies ahead. There is sunshine in the forecast, new vendors, exciting events, and a thriving Vermont wine industry. Could Vermont become the Napa Valley of the Northeast? It’s too early to tell. But this weekend’s Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival will demonstrate that the state has potential to be a wine connoisseur destination.

The concept for the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival began when Lisa Sullivan, president of the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, struck up a discussion with Vermont Life advertising director Gerianne Smart. Vermont Life, the state’s official magazine, reaches approximately 200,000 readers a year, including 75,000 paid subscribers. Seventy-six percent of their readership is from New England.

Sullivan told Smart the chamber was interested in hosting a wine and food festival. Vermont Life was trying to draw more tourists to Vermont. Statewide events have been a success for the magazine. In early 2008, the chamber of commerce and Vermont Life reached an agreement to become partners for what would eventually become the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival. Later that year, Governor Jim Douglas signed legislation allowing bottled wine to be sold at festivals throughout the state. Local state representatives Ann Manwaring and John Moran co-sponsored the bill.

Last year’s inaugural Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival attracted 1,500 visitors. Organizers expect a much larger turnout this year. Laura Sibilia, Mount Snow Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said both organizations used social marketing and geo-targeting to market the wine and harvest festival. They advertised on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google Adwords and promoted the event in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Philadelphia area. “A lot of people are joining on Facebook and we’re seeing a great response in terms of ticket sales,” said Sibilia. “We also established radio partnerships with WKVT and Vermont Public Radio and the festival (was mentioned) in The Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal.”

John McCann, president of the Vermont Wine and Grape Council, said last year’s Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival was a boost to Vermont wineries. He said the event put the Vermont wine industry on the map and state wineries benefited economically. “This event helps wineries reach out to a lot of people outside of the state. People from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York see what we can do here and they will ask local stores to carry our products. We hope to sell our products outside of Vermont,” said McCann.

McCann said Frontenac and Marquette grapes are two varieties that can withstand cold temperatures. They are commonly grown in Minnesota and well-suited to Vermont climates. Now Vermont farms are investing in grape-growing and more wineries are opening across the state. There are 21 wineries within the Vermont Grape and Wine Council. Two more are slated to open by the end of the year. McCann predicts in five years there may be as many as 50 wineries in the state. “The dairy industry is declining and Vermont wineries can help our state stay green. We encourage growing grape varieties in Vermont,” said McCann.

The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival kicks off Friday at the Matterhorn Inn in Dover with a special barbecue and bluegrass concert. Food is provided by Elaine Timmons Catering and the Jim Flynn Trio will provide the music. The barbecue begins at 7 pm and tickets are still available. The charge is $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.

Vermont wine and cheese receptions take place Friday evening. The Inn at Sawmill Farm will feature wines from Shelburne Farms Vineyards, of Shelburne. Hours are 4:30 to 6 pm and tickets are $35 per person. To RSVP call the Inn at Sawmill Farm at (802) 464-8131. The Hermitage Inn is also featuring wines from the Boyden Valley Winery, of Cambridge. Hours are 4:30 to 6 pm and tickets are $30 per person. To RSVP call the Hermitage Inn at (802) 464-3511.

Saturday morning features the Indigenous Vermonter Breakfast, sponsored by Vermont Smoke and Cure and hosted by the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club, at the Municpal Center on Route 100 in Jacksonville. Hours are 8 to 11 am and the breakfast is $11 per person. Seating is limited and people are encouraged to arrive early.

The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival begins at 10 am on Saturday at the junction of routes 9 East and 100. Approximately 70 vendors are participating in this year’s festival. New vendors include the Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, of Websterville; Taylor Farm, of Londonderry; Maple Brook Farm, of Bennington; Vermont Country Deli, of Brattleboro; Smoke & Cure, of Barre, Skinny Pancake, of Burlington; and Lincoln Peak Winery, of New Haven. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 ages 6 through 20, and children 5 and under are free.

The festival also includes cooking demonstrations. Saturday features the Twin Valley Middle School Junior Iron Chef program; Tristan Toleno, of the Riverview Cafe in Brattleboro; and Ken Black, a local food enthusiast. Sunday features James Bennett, of the Putney Inn, and Ted Fondulas, a multiple award-winning chef from Killington. “It all ties in with Vermont foods and products and it fits in well as a nice element,” said Sibilia. “They are all so enthusiastic and it will be a great educational experience as well.”

Wine-pairing dinners return to the Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival. This year, there are three new locales. They include The White House of Wilmington, The Hermitage, and the Roadhouse. The Doveberry Inn and Harriman’s Restaurant are also participating in the wine-pairing dinners. For more information on wine-pairing dinners visit www.thevermontfestival.com/wine_pairing_dinners.

For more information visit www.thevermontfestival.com.