The two-day festival at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts celebrates all things wine and spirits.
Even as sunny summer days set the Hudson Valley aglow, it’s hard not to think about fall in the region. After all, it is that time of the year when the Valley shines brightest, thanks to the changing leaves and rippling Hudson River as a background for the season. And, with fall comes the arrival of The Big Sip, the area’s premier wine and spirits festival that food and drink lovers won’t want to miss.
What is The Big Sip?
A two-day event held over Columbus Day weekend, The Big Sip returns to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts for its third year in 2023. This year marks a special partnership between Bethel Woods, Hudson Valley magazine, and Valley Table. The festival is all about spotlighting the best of the best in the wine and spirits world, so attendees can expect two days filled with premium tastings, scrumptious bites, and live music to top it all off.
As far as performances go, expect a top-tier lineup of musical acts. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness takes the stage on Saturday, while Back to the Eighties With Jessie’s Girl delivers a major dose of old-school nostalgia on Sunday. Ammunition Wines is a sponsor, with Oak Ridge Winery as a supporting sponsor and Captain Lawrence Brewing Company as a stage sponsor. Fishkill’s very own Boutique Wine & Spirits is the event’s wine and spirits curator, so expect only the very best libation offerings at this to-do.
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Participating Vendors
Speaking of those libations, they vary based on whether attendees purchase a VIP tasting pass or a general admission pass. On the VIP front, there are a few different passes, and they each come with exclusive access to bourbon and whiskey, tequila and mezcal, and/or wine tents. The Top Shelf: Private Bourbon & Whiskey VIP Tasting Pass grants access to top-notch producers like Bardstown Bourbon, Fort Hamilton Distillery, Glass Revolution Imports USA LLC, Pinhook Bourbon, PM Spirits, Sagamore Spirit, and Tenmile Distillery. At the All About Agave: Sensational Tequila & Mezcal VIP Tasting Pass tent, confirmed vendors include Curamia Tequila, PM Spirits, and Wild Common. Last but not least, the Sommeliers’ Choice: Wine Connoisseur VIP Tasting Pass includes access to confirmed vendors such as Ephemeral Wine and Spirits and Sapere Originis LLC.
And that’s just the VIP side of things. As far as general admission access goes, attendees can sample pours from local and national vendors like Bardstown Bourbon, Black Button Distilling, Blake’s Hard Cider, Brotherhood Winery, Coopers Daughter, Do Good Spirits, Ephemeral Wine and Spirits, Fort Hamilton Distillery, Forthright Cyder & Mead, Freefall Sangria, Heimat New York, Liquid Fables, Rockland Cider Works, Sapere Originis LLC, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Taconic Distillery, Union Grove Distillery, Victorianbourg Wine Estate, and Weis Vineyards.
If it sounds like a lot, this is only the start! New vendors are confirmed weekly, so keep an eye out on the event page for additional information and vendors. VIP tickets are limited, and reduced-price designated driver tickets are available as well. All attendees must be 21 or older to attend the event, which takes place on October 7-8 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel. Visit the website to learn more about The Big Sip, or purchase tickets here.