This year’s Grand Tasting will highlight Kapalua’s restaurants.

KAPALUA – Oenophiles, gourmands and enthusiasts of the good life will once again reconvene here in celebration of the 31st annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival presented by Visa on June 8-10.

Along with event host Master Sommelier Michael A. Jordon, renowned winemakers and celebrated chefs of Maui will lead panel talks and journey guests through world-class varietals and fine cuisine over the weekend.

“Our property is once again proud to offer a stunning backdrop for such a high-caliber connoisseurs’ event,” said Tom Donovan, vice president and general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

“This year’s unique collaboration of a Kapalua-centric chef showcase on Friday night is going to be an outstanding demonstration of innovative talent within Kapalua Resort.”

A collaboration of Kapalua Resort partners are creating a new spin on the longest-running food and wine event in the U.S. and showcasing why we are “Lucky Live Hawaii!”

This celebration of epicurean excellence will convene the finest in food and wine and embrace all things Hawaiian – notably, the fabulous culinary bounty on Maui.

Featuring Maui’s impressive farm-to-table movement and globe-trotting gastronomy, gourmet demonstrations, festive functions and interactive seminars will tempt discerning palates.

New headlining events include “The Grand Tasting-Kapalua Style,” where the Kapalua family of restaurants – The Banyan Tree, Kai Sushi, Merriman’s, Pineapple Grill, Plantation House and Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar – will pull out all the stops to showcase Kapalua’s premier culinary venues.

Throughout the weekend, participants can also attend an impressive list of interactive wine seminars, including a highly anticipated tasting of the wines of renowned winemaking pioneer Heidi Peterson Barrett, showcasing a selection of her La Sirena wines; “Pinot Superstars from five California AVAs”; a Spanish-focused seminar; Bio-Dynamic/Organic winemaking panel; and “Kings of Cabernet” panel.

The Plantation House Restaurant and Fred Scherrer will host a four-course Wine Dinner on June 9. A reception starts at 6 p.m., with dinner to follow. Scherrer will share his wine and wonderful personality during the dinner. Tickets are $90 per person plus tax and gratiuity; call 669-6299.

Some of the featured wineries/winemakers coming to the 2012 festival are Williams Selyem, Pisoni Vineyards, Scherrer, Frog’s Leap, Domaine Carneros, Plumpjack, Ramey Wine Cellars, David Arthur Vineyards, Hill Family Estates and Word Wines.

Perennial favorites such as the Festival Golf Tournament, Festival Winemakers’ Dinners and the signature finale event, the Kapalua Seafood Festival featuring 15 of Maui’s finest restaurants, will make an encore appearance. To purchase tickets, visit www.kapaluawineandfoodfestival.com.