• About the Austin Food & Wine Alliance

    After 26 years as the The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, held in Austin each spring and considered one of the premier epicurean celebrations in the Southern United States, we’ve now become the Austin Food & Wine Alliance, a non-profit* organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food and wine community through grants, educational programming
    and events.

    The Alliance is the non-profit partner of the new Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine, April 27 – 29, 2012 in Austin, Texas. As the beneficiaries of the new festival, we’re excited to further support the amazing food and wine talent and happenings in Central Texas and with our new non-profit status, will be able to give back to the culinary community through a vibrant grant program to fund projects focused on culinary innovation.

    Our Mission

    The Austin Food & Wine Alliance is dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food and wine community through grants, educational programming and events. The Alliance’s commitment is to promote Texas wine and food and to increase appreciation of Texas’ impact on food and wine throughout the world. Founded as the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival in 1986, the Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit* organization.

    Alliance Events

    The Alliance is guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary- and community-minded professionals from Central Texas. Events are structured to provide an artisan, interactive and educational experience while enjoying the best in food, wine and spirits. Because of the generous support of sponsors and volunteers, Alliance proceeds are dedicated to grants to support projects and innovations related to the culinary community.

    Our History

    Prior to becoming the Austin Food & Wine Alliance in 2012, the the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival has been one of the premier epicurean celebrations in the southern region of the United States for 26 years. It has attracted top culinary stars like Bobby Flay, John Besh, Robert Mondavi, Colman Andrews and other popular food-world icons to Austin. The festival has created its own unique brand presence that has reinforced the reputation of Austin and Central Texas as top food and wine destinations.

    By the early 1980s, regional foods and wines throughout America were experiencing an exciting cultural renaissance. Winemakers Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards decided it was time to turn the spotlight on the fledgling Texas wine industry. They began talking to others about creating an event for visitors to learn about and enjoy the beauty and bounty of the Hill Country. A dedicated group of Central Texas winemakers and culinarians began kicking around the concept of a wine and food festival. It was clearly an idea whose time had come. The first Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival was held in April 1986 during the Texas Sesquicentennial year.

    Bringing winemakers, chefs and wine-and-food lovers together in the Hill Country for the first time made the initial Festival an unqualified success. Programs and events expanded each year, and attendance grew steadily, as did community support, sponsorships and national media attention. Each year, more local, regional and national chefs, restaurants and wineries participate, and guest chefs and winemakers come from around the globe.

    The Texas Hill Country Food & Wine Festival now has evolved into the Austin Food & Wine Alliance and will benefit from the success of the new Austin FOOD & WINE Festival. The Alliance will remain true to the THCFWF mission established nearly three decades ago —to bring together innovative culinary artisans and wine producers who celebrate the rich traditions that influence Texas wine and food.

    * Nonprofit status pending IRS approval.