Southport Magazine

What: Grapes and Hops Month
Where: Bald Head Island
Info: www.baldheadisland.com

“The festival will bring together the island’s business community, residents and visitors around a topic everyone loves: food and drink.” —Lauren Frye, Bald Head Island Limited

Like the four C’s of diamond quality—cut, clarity, color and carat—with which we scrutinize some of the earth’s most precious jewels, there are a few ways to judge a good grape or hop. Aroma and flavor are key in determining the fruits of one’s labor.

Bald Head Island will revel in both this October, as the season marks the first ever Grapes and Hops month-long festival for the oasis. “In past years we’ve done an NC Wine and Food Weekend, which was very successful,” Lauren Frye, the marketing and public relations specialist for Bald Head Island Limited, explains. “This year we wanted to expand both the focus of the festival and the length so more folks could take part in the fun.”

Tastings of wine and beer abound, as Maritime Market will sponsor or host a selection of samplings this month. From Bordeaux, New and Old World and American wines, to even a beer tasting, guests will be able to wet their whistles with the gourmet shop.

As well, Shoals Club will educate on the subjects of South African wines on Saturday, October 13th, and will offer an upscale five-course Robert Mondavi wine dinner on Thursday, October 18th. The fun isn’t all fancy, though. Members may join the Shoals Club on Saturday, October 27th for a ghastly and ghoulish Halloween party.

In the same vein, Bald Head Island Limited Real Estate invites residents and guests alike to join the staff at its sales office on Saturday, October 13th for a tailgate party. In a cozy, neighborly setting, beers will be available for sipping, and free family portraits will be taken, too. “The festival will bring together the island’s business community, residents and visitors around a topic everyone loves: food and drink,” Frye adds.

MoJo’s on the Harbor will give back with its tasting and sale of One Hope wines. The winery donates 50 percent of its proceeds to various charities. To date, One Hope has raised over $750,000 for causes such as childhood hunger. One Hope has become the wine-of-choice at events like the Grammy Awards, the American Red Cross gala, and Sundance Film Festival.

Chef Mark Andrews of Bald Head Island Club will be teaching folks how to bring beer into the kitchen. (No, unfortunately, tilting back a cold one while cooking doesn’t count.) On Friday, October 26th, Andrews will lead a class on how to incorporate brews into dishes, making them all the more delicious. Bald Head Island Club will also host a brewer’s dinner featuring local seafood that night, while MoJo’s on the Harbor will also entertain with a hearty beer and stew dinner that Friday.

Though not all menus were set in stone at press time (Why squander a chef’s creativity with deadlines?), we’ve created a calendar of highlighted events from the island’s Grapes and Hops Month. Events will continue to be added at www.baldheadisland.com, and full details are available by contacting the participating restaurants and shops.

“The [ambience] at the NC Wine and Food Weekend events was both fun and educational, and I suspect the Grapes and Hops events will be the same,” Frye shares. “Folks love trying good wine and food, and learning about the way wine and food work together while enjoying a delicious meal creates a great atmosphere.”

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Old World Wine Tasting
Friday, October 5th • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Maritime Market • 8 Maritime Way • FREE
Taste a variety of Old World wines at no charge. Details are available by calling the Maritime Market at 457-7450.

Bordeaux Wine Tasting and Seminar
Friday, October 5th • 6 p.m. • $100-600/p
Bald Head Island Club • 1 Salt Meadow Trail
Sponsored by the Maritime Market, the Bordeaux Wine Tasting and Seminar will be conducted by the market’s owner, Claude Pope. Guests can expect the connoisseur to unveil rare vintages from his own cellar while leading the seminar. Various tasting levels are available; for more information or to book a reservation, contact the BHI Club at 457-7300.

New World Wine Tasting
Friday, October 12th • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Maritime Market • 8 Maritime Way • FREE
Taste a variety of New World wines at no charge. Details are available by calling the Maritime Market at 457-7450.

Tailgate Party
Saturday, October 13th • 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
BHI Limited Real Estate Sales Office
4 Marina Wynd • FREE
Savor a beer or two courtesy of BHI Limited Real Estate Sales—and bring the kids along, as free family portraits will also be offered. 457-7400

South African Wine Seminar
Saturday, October 13th • 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Shoals Club • 100 Station House Way • $20
The South African wine industry is rapidly on the rise. Join the Shoals Club wine experts through a tasting of six fine South-African wines and light refreshments. Bottles of the wines will also be offered at a discounted price during the seminar. Reservations are required: 454-4888

Mondavi Wine Dinner
Thursday, October 18th • 6 p.m.
Shoals Club • 100 Station House Way
$50/members or $65/guests
Dive into a five-course wine dinner featuring the libations of Robert Mondavi winemakers. Michael Highsmith of Constellation Brands will enlighten guests on the history and creation of Mondavi wines. Social begins at 6 p.m.; dinner at 6:30 p.m. The event will be open to temporary members on a space-available basis starting 72 hours prior to the event. Reservations are required: 454-4888

American Wine Tasting
Friday, October 19th • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Maritime Market • 8 Maritime Way • FREE
Taste a variety of American wines at no charge. Details are available by calling the Maritime Market at 457-7450.

Wine Tasting and Sale
Saturday, October 20th • $20
MoJo’s on the Harbor • 16 Marina Wynd
Stop by MoJo’s on the Harbor for a wine tasting and sale of One Hope wines. All proceeds from these sales will go to raise money for autism awareness. The tasting is $20 and bottles will be discounted to $12.99 for purchase. Call 457-7217 for more information.

Beer Tasting
Wednesday, October 24th • 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bald Head Island Club • 1 Salt Meadow Trail
An educational beer tasting featuring regional beers. Learn about the origin of beer and how it’s made. Light appetizers available. Details are available by calling the Bald Head Island Club at 457-7300.

Beer Tasting
Friday, October 26th • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Maritime Market • 8 Maritime Way • FREE
Taste a variety of beers at no charge. Details are available by calling the Maritime Market at 457-7450.

Cooking with Beer
Friday, October 26th • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $30/person
Bald Head Island Club • 1 Salt Meadow Trail
Learn from BHI Club’s Chef Andrews how to formulate delicious dishes using tantalizing brews. The menu will include four to five items paired with beer; enjoy tastings and save the recipes. Details at 457-7300.

Beer and Stew Dinner
Friday, October 26th • 5 p.m. • $TBA
MoJo’s on the Harbor • 16 Marina Wynd
Enjoy a hearty meal paired with brews. Menu was TBA at press time; call MoJo’s for more information: 457-7217.

Local Seafood Brewer’s Dinner
Friday, October 26th • 6 p.m. • $32/person
Bald Head Island Club • 1 Salt Meadow Trail
A four-course brewer’s dinner featuring fresh, local seafood. Details are available by calling the Bald Head Island Club at 457-7300.

Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 27th • 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bald Head Island Club • 1 Salt Meadow Trail
$24/person
Featuring live tunes from Bavarian trio The Gootman Sauerkraut Band. Details are available by calling the Bald Head Island Club at 457-7300.

Ghosts and Goblins Halloween Party
Saturday, October 27th • 6 to 9 p.m.
Shoals Club • 100 Station House Way
Enjoy food, live entertainment and a costume contest. $25 for adults; $13 for kids 4-12—both do not include tax or gratuity. Kids 3 and under are free.

Howl at the Moon Party
Wednesday, October 31st • 6 p.m. ’til
Access 39 on East Beach • FREE
Join the folks from the Maritime Market for a traditional luau on the beach. Pigs, turkey, sushi and more will be provided, but drinks are BYOB. Full details available by calling 457-7450.