By Bonnie Rabe. Come to New Orleans for Memorial Day and experience the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, a nationally recognized festival that features over 175 wineries, 1000 wines, and has raised more than $1 million over the last 20 years for local charities.

Except for the Vinter Dinners, most events are held in the French Quarter, a 10 minute historic streetcar ride from our New Orleans garden district bed and breakfast. The Vintner Dinners match restaurants with vineyards to plan menus and pairings at over 20 of the city’s best restaurants. See if your favorite restaurant is on the list, or fall in love with a new restaurant.

Highlights from this year’s events include:

• Several “Grand Tastings” with offerings from New Orleans’ finest chefs and wines from around the world plus a Louisiana Seafood Cook-off competition.
• The Royal Street stroll provides great architecture, shopping, live music, wine offerings in the art galleries, and a parade featuring Krewe of Cork.
• Teams of architects will build magnificent structures entirely out of canned goods and non-perishable food items, with each structure providing 10,000 meals donated to charities.

So, “Come to Your Senses” and spend a few days eating and drinking good wine in the French Quarter and retire to our peaceful garden district bed and breakfast for restoration.