Luxury Resort in Maui Joins in Welcoming First Annual Wailea Wine and Food Festival

MAUI, HI--(Marketwire - Oct 15, 2012) - The rich bounty of Maui will be showcased in the First Annual Wailea Wine and Food Festival as local resort chefs bring forth award-winning cuisine to be paired with an exceptional offering of wines from around the world.

Savoring the dates set aside for this unique choice of new events in Maui, December travelers and area residents can revel in the fun and excitement as the December 6-9, 2012 festival kicks off with an opening reception that allows ticket holders to meet and mingle with winemakers, sommeliers and culinary artists from participating Wailea resorts. Noted as a four-day culinary extravaganza, the event will focus on Maui's ranch, ocean and farm products as it features the cuisine of Hawaii Regional Cuisine Founding Chefs Alan Wong, Peter Merriman, Bev Gannon and Mark Ellman. The Wailea Resort Association's new signature event will also feature eight master sommeliers who will share trends in food and wine as the activities span the facilities of four premier Wailea resorts.

In addition to wine-tastings and culinary events, the festival is set to include educational and interactive "Wine Encounters" to engage participants in the remarkable pairings and tantalizing fruits of the Maui countryside. From "Pinot Passion," "Three Decades of Cabernet" to an "Escape to Italy in Eight Glasses" and "Wine & Cheese -- the Perfect Pairing," the seminar-style tastings are designed to ignite the imagination while highlighting the many flavors of various wine selections.

With the opening night reception set to take place at the Fairmont Kea Lani, a fine luxury hotel in Maui, additional events will also be held at the Four Seasons Resort and the Grand Wailea before concluding on Sunday at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort. Final day events are scheduled to include a Wine Encounter focusing on pairing techniques and an afternoon "Grillin' and Chillin'" gathering on the oceanfront lawn of this remarkable Maui Beach hotel. The Sunday afternoon picnic setting will also include musical entertainment as chefs master the grills and guests enjoy a delightful choice of fine wines. In addition to the afternoon party at the Marriott's luxury resort in Maui, Sunday's schedule also includes the last two in a series of entertaining winemakers' dinners featured throughout the event.

Additional information regarding the event, tickets and four-day festival passes may be found at www.waileawineandfoodfestival.com. As an added convenience to those attending this inaugural event, complimentary valet parking with validation for all attendees will be provided by participating resorts.

About the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
The Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa provides travelers with an ideal Maui location while also pampering guests with meticulous accommodations and majestic oceanfront views. Conveniently located between the white sand beaches of Wailea and Ulua and just steps away from fabulous island shopping, the resort is home to the Mandara Spa and is situated near the world famous Wailea Golf Club. On-site amenities include a new infinity edge pool with over-the-water cabanas, three restaurants and the nightly Te Au Moana Luau Show for a traditional Maui experience.