Third Annual Pioneer Valley Wine Festival to return Date: 5/27/2022 BRIMFIELD – A weekend full of wine tasting, food, a farmers’ market and more can be expected with the return of the third annual Pioneer Valley Wine Festival, hosted by Brimfield Winery and Cidery.
On June 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. attendees can visit Brimfield Winery, 35 Main St., for a variety of events.
Kate Corriveau, owner of Brimfield Winery, said they are slated to have 12 wineries and cideries from the Pioneer Valley and beyond. “It’s an opportunity for local wineries across Massachusetts to show off their wines” or other options, she said.
This year’s wineries include Hardwick Winery, Mineral Hills Winery, Cameron’s Winery, Headwater Cider, Aaronap Cellars, La Cantina Winery, Brimfield Winery, Common Ground Ciderworks, Raven Hollow Winery and Blisspoint Meadery. Corriveau said they will also be selling wine slushies inside the winery.
To complement the various drinks, fare options will include four food trucks: Off the Hook Roadside Eatery, Tony’s Happy Valley Pizza, Bird’s Nest Italian Street Food and Rooster’s Roaming Cantina. Corriveau said they would not have as many food vendors compared to previous years.
Aside from food and drink, a farmers’ market will be operating on Brimfield Auction Acres, a lot adjacent to the winery that is owned by the Corriveaus. Corriveau noted that this land is the “birthplace of the Brimfield Antique Show.”
The farmers’ market will consist of over 15 vendors and artisan tents such as Sturbridge Candles, Sweet Glass Studio, M&M Family Farm, Old Coots Advice and Country Town Charms, to name a few.
Live music will be constant, as several bands alternate each day.
The cost of admission to the Pioneer Valley Wine Festival is $30. This includes entry, a tasting at each winery/cidery and more. Tickets can be purchased online at https://brimfieldwinery.com/.
Corriveau said if an individual is not having wine, there is a $5 entry for parking and admission to the farmers’ market. Military personnel, seniors and children are allowed free entry to the farmers’ market and live music access.
The cost for on-site purchasing the day of the event is $35 for the wine tasting.
When the event first took place in 2019, Corriveau said they had about 2,000 attendees. In 2020, COVID-19 canceled the event, however in 2021, the 2,000-person attendance rate was matched. Although there is no limit to how many may attend this festival as people come and go throughout the day, Corriveau said they will likely cap it again at 2,000.
“I feel we will sell out because it’s the first non-COVID-19 shadowing year,” she said.
Corriveau explained that she and her husband created this event, however, they would not be able to produce it without the help from friends and family. “They volunteer their time to help out,” said Corriveau. She added that the collaboration of the wineries is beneficial to everyone, as it supports and boosts their small businesses. Without all the collaboration, Corriveau said, “It wouldn’t be as fun.”
She went on to say, “In central Massachusetts, there’s nothing [else] like this. The music is really good, [everything] is spread out throughout the field … [it’s] very airy and fun.”
The festival will happen rain or shine. Coolers are not allowed on the premises, along with outside food or drink.
For additional information on the Pioneer Valley Wine Festival, visit Brimfield Winery’s website at https://brimfieldwinery.com/ or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/brimfieldwinery.
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