A 100% volunteer-run “try before you buy” wine market with up to 15% off holiday cases, plus local cheeses, restaurant bites, a paper bag blind tasting, a secret speakeasy pour and a charity vote.
Manchester Center, Vt. — The Manchester Wine Festival returns to the Manchester Community Library on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 2 to 6 p.m., offering the ultimate “try before you buy” tasting experience just in time for the holidays.
Organized by Nature’s Market and powered entirely by community volunteers, the event lets attendees sample approximately 150 world-class wines from renowned global importers and producers. Guests can taste exceptional pours from names like Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Vias Imports, The Rare Wine Co., Paul Hobbs Wines and The Piedmont Guy before placing their holiday orders.
To complement the global wine selection, the festival showcases the local food scene. Attendees can sample and enjoy pairings from local cheesemakers, neighborhood restaurants and regional artisanal food producers.
The festival doubles as a holiday shopping event with deep discounts on wine orders: 10% off cases of 12 bottles and 15% off 24 bottles or more. Guests place their orders at the festival, then pay for and pick up their wine at Nature’s Market.
Beyond the tasting tables, two events add to the afternoon. The Paper Bag Blind Tasting pours every bottle from a brown paper bag: taste, guess the grape and the country, then see the label. Seats are limited and booked in advance. And somewhere in the festival, behind a secret door, the Secret Speakeasy Pour hides one ultra-premium or highly unusual bottle. Solve the wine riddle or find a hidden token to get in — no booking and no extra charge, while the bottle lasts.
Every ticket purchased and bottle ordered supports the community, with the backing of more than two dozen area businesses. Ticket sales go to the Manchester Community Library, and every dollar of profit from wine sold on the day goes to a local cause chosen by the guests themselves. Using the festival’s Charity Ballot, attendees vote on site to decide which nominated local registered charity receives it. Nominations are open to anyone.
“Most festivals choose their charity in a meeting. Manchester’s leaves the choice to the people holding the glasses.”
The festival volunteers
Every bottle poured from a brown paper bag. Taste, guess the grape and the country, then see the label.
Book a seatOne ultra-premium or highly unusual bottle behind a secret door. Solve the wine riddle, or find a hidden token and bring it to the curtain.
How to get inEvery dollar of wine profit goes to the local registered charity the guests vote for on site. Anyone may nominate a cause.
Nominate a charityAbout 150 wines to taste, with local cheese, restaurant bites and small producers. Order at the festival; pay and pick up at Nature’s Market.
Vendors| Early birdThrough October 4, or until the first 100 tickets sell | $20 |
| Regular admissionIn advance, online | $30 |
| At the doorSubject to availability | $35 |
| Paper Bag Blind TastingAdd to the same booking and pay once | $15 |
All guests must be 21 or older, with valid ID.
Free to use with coverage of the festival. Courtesy of the Manchester Wine Festival.
Media contact
The Nature’s Market team, festival organizer
(802) 362-0033 · [email protected] · naturesmarketvt.com
Tickets, charity nominations and vendor updates: ManchesterWineFestival.com
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