Inside the 2026 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) returns June 10–13, bringing four days of tastings, seminars, dinners, and spirited celebration back to one of America’s most iconic food cities. Now entering its 34th year, the festival has become a cornerstone event for culinary and beverage professionals, as well as enthusiasts looking to experience New Orleans through the lens of food, wine, and hospitality culture.

The 2026 lineup blends large-scale tasting events with more intimate educational programming. Signature events include the ever-popular Tournament of Rosés, returning to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with a global lineup of still and sparkling rosés, alongside bites from New Orleans restaurants and a spirited cocktail garden. The Grand Tasting follows on Saturday, showcasing wines from around the world paired with dishes from many of the city’s top chefs and restaurants. 

Beyond the headline tastings, NOWFE continues to lean into education through its series of labs and seminars, offering guests the opportunity to dive deeper into wine regions, varietals, and cocktail history. This year’s sessions range from explorations of Russian River Valley terroir and Greek wines to a seminar celebrating the 170th anniversary of the Grasshopper cocktail, a drink deeply tied to New Orleans cocktail history. 

As always, one of the festival’s defining strengths is its ability to showcase the city itself. Events stretch across restaurants, hotels, theaters, and hospitality venues throughout New Orleans, creating an experience that feels less like a convention and more like an immersion into the city’s culinary identity. The festival also continues its long-standing charitable mission, supporting culinary education and nonprofit initiatives throughout the region. Over the course of its history, NOWFE has raised more than $1.5 million for local causes.