Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just beginning to appreciate the viticultural arts, you can’t afford to miss Athens Wine Weekend, the region’s premier wine event. This year's captivating, collaborative, charitable, and customizable celebration of world-class wine will take place February 7-9, 2025, at The Classic Center in Athens, GA. 

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Athens Wine Weekend consists of four signature events: 

AMUSE-BOUCHE

Start the weekend on a classy note Friday evening with tickets to Amuse-Bouche! This bespoke reception features celebrated local chefs presenting tapas-style plates of their inimitable culinary artistry, each paired with the perfect wine. 

GRAND TASTING

Saturday afternoon’s aptly named Grand Tasting showcases over 800 wines from around the world and is an ideal event for larger groups. Held in the Grand Hall, guests can sip and sample award-winning wines to their heart’s content. Tickets to a variety of educational tasting classes throughout the afternoon are also available! 

GOURMET DINNER 

Chances are, you’ve worked up an appetite after a Saturday afternoon of wine tasting. Athens Wine Weekend serves up a six-course Gourmet Dinner, featuring preeminent presentations and winsome wine pairings courtesy of Orin Swift of California.

SPARKLING WINE BRUNCH 

No wine weekend is complete without a specialty mimosa or three. Pair these with a gourmet breakfast buffet and wrap up your weekend in style on Sunday morning! 

 

athens wine weekend 2018

INSIDER TIPS 

Pace yourself. Wine weekends are about the experience, not the buzz. Don’t forget to take breaks and enjoy captivating conversations! 

Hydrate. Bring a water bottle. Use it. Staying hydrated is crucial! 

Avoid strong scents. Don’t wear perfume, cologne, or scented lotion, as these potent smells may interfere with your — and others’ — tasting experience. 

Cleanse your palate. Munch on simple, neutrally flavored snacks, like unsalted crackers to reset your palate between wines! 

Step out of your comfort zone. Consider yourself a bold red drinker? Think you only enjoy sweet whites? Athens Wine Weekend is the perfect opportunity to expand your horizons and try wine varietals you didn’t know you enjoyed. 

Have fun. Don’t forget the reason Athens Wine Weekend exists: FUN. Have some.  

Athens Wine Weekend Toast

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WEEKEND 

Though your primary focus during Athens Wine Weekend will be and should be wine, you’ll still have time to explore the Classic City as well!  

Athens is a world-class culinary destination. Pay a visit to one or more of the award-winning restaurants participating in Wine Weekend. Grab brunch at South Kitchen + Bar, or dinner at The Pine Bar or the inimitable Hi-Lo Lounge on Prince Avenue in Athens, GA! 

You also might be craving a craft beer after all that vino. Switch things up with one of Athens’ finest ales at Creature Comforts or Akademia

There are also plenty of hotels near the Classic Center, such as Hotel Indigo and Hyatt Place, so you won’t have to worry about transportation before and after the weekend’s festivities! 

SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE 

Athens Wine Weekend isn’t just a wine festival; it’s also an opportunity to drink and do good. Every ticket sold benefits the Classic Center Cultural Foundation, which provides $60,000 of annual grants to performing, visual, and culinary arts programs and also offers scholarships to students of the arts. 

TICKETS 

Athens Wine Weekend is perfect for any budget, with events ranging from $15 for tasting classes to $1,600 for a table of eight at Gourmet Dinner. Got FOMO? Don’t miss a thing with the Full Bottle Package, which includes hotel accommodations and two tickets to every event! 

Tickets are available through the Classic Center’s website. Attendees must be 21+! 

Wine is love in liquid form. At Athens Wine Weekend, you’ll forge memories, partake in the perfect pairing of indulgence and philanthropy, and fall in love with wine all over again. See you there!